Lavant 2 Nyetimber Pirates 1

(Malcolm Simmons Cup)

Lavant’s final game of 2015 saw them host Nyetimber Pirates in the second round of the Malcolm Simmonds Cup. With both team’s being in the same league, this cup game was the first fixture of three they would face this season, and with both teams having mixed starts to their season and being in a similar position in the league, on paper this was going to be a tight game and the formbook turned out to be correct.

Right from kick-off Lavant worked hard to breakdown the Pirates play and push forward at every opportunity to press the visitor’s goal.  As a result they made it very difficult for the visitors to settle and get a foothold in the game.

Opportunities on goal were limited, but with fifteen minutes gone a counterattack from Lavant on the right wing saw James Sandford break down the flank, before cutting in and launching an deceiving in-swinging cross deep over to the far left hand side of the six yard box, which looped over the keeper and into straight into the top corner of the goal, to the dismay of the visiting site.

Right from re-start Lavant again pressed and chased down the ball and harried in an attempt to capitalise on their lead and not give the Pirates time to settle.  Lavant forged several good chances to score, but failed to capitalise until five minutes later a deflected shot fell kindly to Pete Caveney in the six yard box, who reacted quickest to calmly slot the ball past the stranded keeper making it two-nil to the home side.

With twenty minutes remaining Lavant then decided to sit back to defend their lead till half time, perhaps a mistake as this finally allowed the Pirates an opportunity to press the Lavant goal.  As the minute went by and the pressure grew, it appeared that Lavant with some strong defending would take their two goal lead into the break, but with seven minutes remaining a defected shot from the left flank beat Lavant keeper Ash Court before hitting the far right post and bouncing agonisingly into the goal, putting the visitors right back into the game.  The remaining seven minutes seemed like an eternity as Lavant worked hard to hang on to their now slim lead.

The second half saw Lavant right from the restart press forward and chase down the ball in an attempt to stop the Pirates continuing their dominance once more.  This appeared to pay off as Lavant again forged a number of good chances and they should have reinstated their two goal buffer when some good one touch football saw Sandford put James Brooks through on goal, but somehow his goal-bound close range shot was palmed around the post by keeper Warren Pye, to ensure the Pirates remained very much in this cup tie.

As the half went on the high work rate of Lavant started to take its toll and as the visitors brought on fresh legs the game now reverted to the Lavant goal and required some outstanding defending especially from man of the match James Batten to ensure they hung on to their lead.

With minutes remaining the Pirates once more peppered Lavant’s goal and some slick passing saw an opportunity open up, as their striker broke through in the six yard box, quickly hitting a low shot and the equaliser seemed certain, but only for keeper Court to pull off a great low level save and  scramble to grab the ball.

Referee Guy Lawson seemed to play many minutes of extra time before he finally blew the whistle, giving Lavant a very hard fought cup victory.

Lavant will now face Championship side Wisborough Green in the quarter- finals in the New Year.

Team: Ash Court, Oli Haggar, Matt Lyttle, James Batten, Jon Wright, Aaron Hancock, Matt Stevens, James Brooks, Charlie McLaren, Pete Caveney, James Sandford. Subs: Ben Purgavie, Matt grace, Louis Weller, Will, Cieszynski, Neil Sanson.

Lavant Reserves 4  Worthing Boro 2

Lavant defending the corner

Lavant will be enjoying Christmas at the top of West Sussex Division 3 South, after a hard-fought win over promotion rivals Worthing Borough.

Two goals apiece from John Langridge and Lee Smith helped the Chichester side overcome their opponents and replace them at the summit of the table.

Lavant were out of the blocks like a shot, Langridge scoring twice in the first 3 minutes. After a half clearance, Paul Taylor headed the ball back in and the big striker reacted first, nodding over the onrushing keeper, before hitting an instinctive left foot volley from 20 yards a minute later. It could have been a 5 minute hat-trick for Langridge but his shot on the turn grazed the outside of the post.

Worthing were rocked but began to get back into the game by throwing players forward, however they were always susceptible to the counter attack. Lavant scored a third on 25 minutes, keeper Ash Court’s kick clearing the left back and Lee Smith beating the keeper to the bouncing ball, heading into the empty net.

However the visitors had a lifeline 5 minutes later, when Lavant failed to pick up markers from a throw-in on their right, and the cross was guided in to the top corner.

‘Boro were keen to make a fast start to the second half and had another on 49 minutes when the unfortunate James Batten’s diving interception diverted a cross past Court. However despite plenty of possession and territory they never really threatened another goal and it was Lavant who came closest as the ball was poked past the keeper, who just recovered to clear off the line ahead of Langridge.

Chris Coe on the ball

The game started to become more physical as the away side became frustrated, but the industrious midfield duo of James Brooks and Charlie McLaren were no pushover, and Batten’s explosive runs from centre back began to force the visitors back.

A substitution with 8 minutes to go was to prove vital as Smith was reintroduced up front and Pete Caveney put on the left. Within two minutes Smith made the game comfortable; sub Adam Yaxley broke up an attack and Caveney was released down the flank before crossing to the back post for the unmarked Smith to power home a header and give Lavant the perfect present going in to the holiday period.

Lavant: Ash Court, Chris Coe, Tom Parker, James Batten, Matt Grace, Charlie McLaren, James Brooks, Paul Taylor, Greg Ayling, Lee Smith, John Langridge. Subs: Simon Augustus, Adam Yaxley, Will Cieszynski, Pete Caveney, Tom Haslam.

Lavant 0 Willingdon Athletic 2

Sussex Intermediate Cup

Lavant attack Willingdon’s goal

Two first half goals were enough to see off Lavant’s hopes of emulating last year’s performance in the Sussex Intermediate Cup and perhaps even go one better, as Willingdon progressed to the next round.

Similar to the previous week, Lavant started into the wind and struggled to clear their lines on a regular basis. Although Lavant were competing they struggled to maintain any ball retention with the ball consistently coming back at the Lavant back line. Willingdon were well organised and a constant threat especially through their front man Jack Mclean.

Lavant’s resolve was eventually broken as Willingdon went 1-0 following good build up down their right hand side, finding Mclean who rolled his defender to fire home.

Willingdon continued to press and doubled their lead 10 minutes from the half, a goalmouth melee resulted in Gabb and Wright colliding during an attempted clearance and the Willingdon forward accepting the gift.

Lavant started the 2^nd half still with hope that they can get back in the tie and with the wind cancelling out the 2 goal defecate was achievable. Lavant certainly were having the better of the 2^nd half exchanges but clear cut chances were view and far between.

Caveney had the ball in the back of the net but was ruled off side; Baker hit the woodwork and again was ruled off side. Our best chance did fall to Baker and with the flag staying down this time he fired high, wide and handsome.

It seems again Lavant find themselves coming undone from giving their opponent a  head start, something to protect. From the 2^nd half performance the home side are more than capable of competing, but again fail to deliver over the 90 minutes.

Team: Ash Court, Richard Gabb, Matt Lyttle, Simon Augustus, Jon Wright, Ollie Haggar, Matt Stevens, James Brooks, Pete Caveney, James Sandford, Dan Baker. Subs: Ash Hawkes, Dan Cowell, Aaron Hancock.

Lavant Reserves Division III Cup Game away against Horsham Crusaders has been called off due to waterlogged pitch.

But the first team game at home on the village green to Willingdon Athletic from Eastbourne in the Sussex Intermediate Cup is still on.  Kick-off 1.30pm

Lavant 3 Southwater 4

Lavant succumbed to their 3^rd league defeat of the season against basement side Southwater. The game was not as close as the 4-3 score line would portray as this was 90 minutes that showed the very worst of Lavant FC.

Lavant weren’t helped by the home surface, rainfall during the week meant the grass could not be cut leaving a long, heavy and slow pitch. Now given that Lavant like to get the ball down and play, along with the gale force winds, it was obvious the home side were in for a long afternoons work.

Although Lavant had started the slightly brighter it wasn’t long until the work rate and desire of Southwater started to pay off and with the Lavant  defense getting deeper and deeper from the fear of defending into the wind the midfield were left doing box to box doggies to make up the defecate.

Southwaters sustained pressure finally told, after numerous corners, each one looking dangerous. A top delivery found a Southwater player completely unmarked at the near post and the header was powered home in style. It was one of those goals that would benefit from analysis from Gary Neville on MNF; the marking was shocking to say the least. Was it man to man or zonal, or perhaps nothing at all.

The game now completely opened up and it wasn’t long until Southwater doubled their lead, they were being given a free run of the park with the Lavant defense camped on the 18 yard box.

Before halftime a third goal came, it had a bit of fortune taking a massive deflection off Jon Wright and lobbing the helpless Ash Court. You could write about the Lavant chances in the half but each opening was completely fluffed to the point that the Southwater keeper never had to make a save.

So after a dressing down at halftime the first goal in the second half was of paramount importance and five minutes in it was 4-0 Southwater. It was a great great goal, a lovely angled ball into the box taken first time on the volley and in off the underside of the bar, again where was the defending.

From here the game settled, Southwater were not as effective into the wind and the graft they had carried out in the 1^st half was clearly taking its toll. The introduction of Caveney for Lavant was a positive one and chances started to come. Sadly it wasn’t until the 83^rd minute when Lavant finally notched.

Haggar drove into the box from the right hand side only to be felled, penalty. Haggar stepped up and a duly dispatched. A glimmer of hope maybe for the home side, a minute later Lavant had two, Caveney set free after a delightful through ball whom fired home from the edge of the area.

Surely not…. could we? Southwater kicked off and had another raid at the Lavant defence and won a penalty of their own, the final nail in the coffin perhaps. It wasn’t, penalty saved by Court, it was hit well but a good height for the keeper. Could this be the catalyst for the come backs of comebacks…..?

Injury time looming and the Southwater keeper player for time, “6 seconds ref” is the shout, free kick given. The ball was laid off for Sandford to hit hard and low, goal, 4-3.

If the game was played for another 5 minutes Lavant would’ve taken a point or maybe the win but it goes to show the these games are played for 90 minutes and not just the last 10.

Team: Ash Court, Richard Gabb, Matt Lyttle, Jon Wright, Dan Cowell,  Aaron Hancock, Dave Knight, Matt Stevens, Ash Hawkes, James Sandford, Ollie Haggar. Subs: Pete Caveney, Scott Yaxley

Watersfield 4 Lavant Reserves 0

Lavant were the architects of their own downfall as they bowed out of the Bareham Trophy at free-scoring Watersfield by contributing the first two goals.

At a sodden Alban Head both centre backs put through their own net either side of half time before two late goals completed a deserved victory for the Div 4 side.

Lavant were forced into changes ahead of kick-off, with manager Neil Sanson having to go between the sticks and Adam Yaxley returning for the unwell Lee Smith.

The visitors started brightly and should have been ahead after 5 minutes, Louis Weller turning well but screwing his shot wide from 7 yards. Watersfield’s fashioned their first opportunity shortly after, a deep cross finding the unmarked runner who could only lash a volley over the bar.

But it was Lavant controlling the early passage of play, and when left back Matt Grace’s divine cross was missed by John Langridge and the defender, Will Cieszynski was able to control and fire in a shot that was pushed behind by the ‘keeper at his near post.

However Watersfield grew into the game and got a huge lift when an innocuous free kick into the box was called by Sanson but headed past his ‘keeper by Tom Parker.

Lavant started the second half brightly but had the stuffing knocked out of them on 52 minutes as another harmless delivery from a corner was glanced in at the near post by the unfortunate Neil Latham.

The hosts sensed victory and pressed forward in search of more and were twice denied by Sanson; firstly getting down well to his left to a low drive, then tipping a fierce drive over the bar from 10 yards. It was 3-0 after 70 minutes, some neat one touch football unlocking the Lavant defence who appealed in vain for a flag as the ball was slotted home.

Parker was moved up front and almost immediately forced an excellent stop from the home keeper low to his left, but Lavant’s misery was complete through another mistake, Grace’s pass intercepted and expertly slotted home with 5 minutes to go.

Lavant travel to Horsham Crusaders for the Div 3 cup next Saturday knowing defeat will see all cup hopes extinguished for the season.

Lavant: Neil Sanson, Paul Taylor, Neil Latham ( c), Tom Parker, Matt Grace, Mike Sleet, Will Cieszynski, Lou Weller, Adam Yaxley, Leon Mears, John Langridge. Subs: Charlie McLaren, Alex Holmes, Martin Smith.

This Saturday (21st November) the first team fixture away to Willingdon Athletic from Eastbourne in the Sussex Intermediate Cup was postponed for a second time due to the weather and a waterlogged pitch.  As a result the third fixture will now switch to a home fixture for Lavant to be played on the 5th December. 1.30pm Kick-Off on the Village Green.

Lavant Reserves 3 Predators Reserves 0

Match Report to follow:

James Sandford pressing the Predator’s number 15

The Unicorn 7 Lavant Reserves 1

Lavant’s fine recent form came to a shuddering halt as they were comprehensively beaten by The Unicorn at a sodden Avisford Park.

With 4 wins from their last 5 games, the visitors were looking to extend that sequence but were 3-0 down in 30 minutes and never recovered.

With several key players missing, Lavant were dealt further blows as 3 players dropped out on the morning of the game. However the squad was still good enough on paper but never got to grips with the conditions or their opponents, who were first to every ball all over the park.

The visitors started brightly as Lee Smith’s low cross was put narrowly wide by Will Cieszynski, but were soon on the back foot as they struggled to cope with runners from midfield and fell behind when one such runner burst through before rounding ‘keeper Sanson and slotting home coolly.

With Lavant all at sea it was two shortly after as a cross was kept in by the wind and hit the top of the bar but the rebound was lashed in, before a needlessly conceded free kick was curled over the wall into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Lavant responded by making substitutions but it was 4-0 just before half time when a saveable shot took a big deflection off Mike Sleet to leave Sanson helpless.

Despite losing Smith to a wrist injury, the visitors rallied in the second half and showed some fight but were playing into the ever-increasing wind and rain and another deflected goal made it 5-0. Sanson recovered well to prevent a 6th after being rounded, but later couldn’t hold a skidding free kick and the rebound was smashed into the top corner.

Matt Grace’s mazy run from full back drew a foul in the box and Greg Ayling scored a consolation from the spot, but there was still time for Unicorn to score again, Lavant defending a corner poorly and seeing another clinical finish finding the top corner to complete a well-deserved win for an improving Unicorn side.

The manner of the defeat rather than the loss itself will be Lavant’s concern and they will go into next week’s game v Predators with a point to prove.

Lavant: Neil Sanson, Matt Grace, Neil Latham ©, Tom Parker, Mike Sleet, Mickey Earle, Greg Ayling, Louis Weller, Alex Holmes, Will Cieszynski, Lee smith. Subs: Martin Smith, Callum Spaul.