Lavant Reserves 5 Ambassadors 2

Lavant returned to winning ways on Saturday with a well-deserved victory over Bognor side Amdassadors.

Last season’s top scorer Lee Smith finally got off the mark with a bang, scoring four against Div 3 South’s bottom side as Lavant kept up the pressure on leaders Whyke.

Starting out with a bold 4-3-3 formation, the hosts were in front within 3 minutes as Smith rose from 10 yards to head home Greg Ayling’s corner.

Ten minutes later they were two up, as Smith ran on to a ball in the left channel before opening his body up and slotting into the far corner.

However, Ambassadors struck back within seconds of the restart. A long ball down the centre was called belatedly by keeper Ash Court and Tom Parker couldn’t duck out in time, his header looping over the stranded stopper and being poked home by the grateful forward.

Lavant nearly restored their lead immediately, but John Langridge’s long range volley dipped narrowly over the bar. Smith did re-establish the two goal cushion though, again finishing coolly to wrap up his hat-trick, and it could have been even worse for the visitors as a defender thundered a header against their own goal frame from a Lavant corner.

The hosts were playing some attractive, incisive football, with the industrious Charlie McLaren dictating the game but to Ambassador’s credit, they never stopped working without really threatening the Lavant goal and it was 4-1 on the hour mark with a clinical breakaway goal.

Langridge met the goal kick, heading over the full back and in to the path of James Sandford on the right flank. He took one touch before delivering a wicked, dipping ball across the box for the onrushing Smith. The big striker still had a lot to do as the ball skidded up but executed a fantastic diving header from 8 yards to give the keeper no chance.

Lavant continued to press and a series of near misses followed before Sandford made it 5, timing his run perfectly before dinking the ball over the  advancing keeper.

There was a late consolation for Amabassadors, as their skipper found the top corner with a powerful curling free kick from 25 yards with the last action of an entertaining game, but it was three more points for Lavant as they continue their impressive start to the season.

Lavant: Ash Court, Matt Grace, Tom Parker, Neil Latham (c), Matt Hine, Scott Yaxley, Charlie McLaren, Greg Ayling, Leon Mears, Lee Smith, John Langridge. Subs: Martin Smith, Mickey Earle, Alex Holmes, Will Cieszynski, James Sandford.

Felpham Colts 1 Lavant Reserves 0

Lavant bowed out of the Sussex Junior Cup at the weekend after a late strike condemned them to defeat at Felpham.

Following excellent performances in recent weeks, this was far from a happy Halloween for the Div 3 side.

Going with a 4-4-2 formation, Lavant struggled to get a foothold in the game from the off, with Felpham’s busy midfield denying them any time or space. However neither team were creating any clear-cut opportunities, restricting each other to long range efforts. Neil Latham’s shot was just too high for the visitors, whilst Colts had a goal ruled out for a foul on keeper Ash Court as he collected a shot at the second attempt.

With 35 minutes gone Lavant made a double substitution and changed shape, but Felpham came closest to scoring when Chris Coe’s header almost found the top corner of his own net, the bar coming to Lavant’s rescue.

Lavant started the second half much brighter and worked a good opportunity early on, but Leon Mears’ shot swerved away from the far post, before John Langridge’s back header looped just over the bar.

However the visitors were dealt a blow with 20 minutes left when Adam Yaxley was shown a straight red card for disagreeing with a refereeing decision.

Despite the man disadvantage, the visitors still looked fairly comfortable and extra time seemed inevitable until John Ryan drove a stake through Lavant hearts, turning and firing into the roof of the net in the 85^th minute.

Lavant piled on the pressure to find an equaliser; Langridge’s thunderous volley from 10 yards was blocked in front of goal before an inviting cross evaded two attackers at the far post as the final whistle sounded.

With the sun still shining, Lavant’s cup run crumbled to dust, whilst Felpham fluttered off into the sunset and the next round.

Lavant: Ash Court, Matt Grace, Chris Coe, Tom Parker, Neil Latham, Scott Yaxley, Charlie McLaren, Keanu Burton-Hoyte, Alex Holmes, Lee Smith, John Langridge. Subs: Will Cieszynski, Leon Mears, Adam Yaxley, Matt Hine, Louis Weller.

Cowfold III 0 Lavant Reserves 7

Lavant progressed into the next round of the Div 3 Cup with a comprehensive victory at Horsham Park.

After an even 45 minutes saw Lavant going in just one ahead at half time, four goals in the first 9 minutes after the break took the game away from the hosts.

The visitors made several changes from last week, with Holmes and Sleet in from the start, whilst new signing Ash Court made his debut in goal. On a greasy pitch, both teams struggled to get hold of the ball in the early exchanges, but Lavant began to impose themselves and a lovely one-two between Greg Ayling and Lee Smith saw the former burst into the box and fire into the bottom corner after 15 minutes.

Cowfold were creating chances on the break, and after a foul by Tom Parker at the corner of the box, they rattled the crossbar from the free kick, before a last-ditch challenge from the excellent Neil Latham prevented the striker getting his shot away.

However Lavant still looked most likely to score. John Langridge’s snap volley after a well worked move was just wide and Smith’s towering header from 18 yards was destined for the top corner before being turned onto the bar by the Cowfold ‘keeper.

As the half neared its end, Cowfold almost levelled as the forward drove into the box, but his effort was well saved by Court at his near post.

The advice at half time was to get the ball wide, and within a minute of the restart Lavant were two ahead. Court’s clearance evaded the ‘Fold left back and Smith ran to the byline before picking out Langridge who turned it past the static keeper.

Ayling then picked up his second on 48 minutes as he turned and poked in from 8 yards, before Langridge completed an 8-minute hat-trick, first running on to Parker’s clearance and hammering home from 20 yards,  before collecting his third with a spectacular effort on 54 minutes. A cross from the left looked to be just too high, but the big striker nodded the ball up in the air before smashing in an overhead kick from 20 yards.

Lavant were totally dominant now, Ayling bagging his hat-trick with another turn and shot after good work again from Smith, before great perseverance by sub Keanu Burton-Hoyte allowed Leon Mears to put the finishing touches to an emphatic win and secure another trip to Horsham where they play Crusaders in the next round.

Lavant: Ash Court, Paul Taylor, Neil Latham, Tom Parker, Mike Sleet, Scott Yaxley, Greg Ayling, Adam Yaxley, Alex Holmes, John Langridge, Lee Smith. Subs: Dave McLean, Mickey Earle, Keanu Burton-Hoyte, Callum Spaul, Leon Mears.

Newtown Villa 0 Lavant 2

After a week off Lavant were back in action against Bognor side Newtown Villa. In recent seasons, Villa have been somewhat of a bogey side for the visitors, only managing to take a point over last 4 meetings.

Lavant started with intent and purpose and made the most of the space afforded to them on the flanks due to Villa deploying a wingback system. Caveney and Wright were having significant joy with the Villa right hand side seriously lacking in mobility.

The first meaningful chance fell to Wright; a Villa clearance fell to the left back on the edge of the area where a vicious drive was sent thumping against the bar with the keeper completely static.

For all Lavant’s good work they still had to be alive to the consistent threat of the Villa game plan, Matt Russell being played in a deep lying midfield role and looking to clip the ball over the top of the Lavant back four on every occasion. There were numerous times this nearly caught Lavant with their willing runners but both Jones and Augustus managed to clear their lines.

Five minutes from the half Lavant took the lead, a well work throw again down the Lavant left found Hancock who managed to turn and feed in Baker to fire home.

The secon half saw Lavant tighten their grip on the match. A Villa change in shape allowed the space to both Brooks and Stevens in central midfield dominate the game.  Brooks really was in fine form, dictating the pace of the match, working passing triangles and was pivotal in everything good about Lavant’s play.

Fifteen minutes into the half Lavant doubled their lead, again it was Wright surging down the left, crossing and finding Baker who finished in style into the roof of the Villa net.

Lavant went on to see out that match, gain a much needed 3 points to stay in touch with the early front runners and a confidence building clean sheet. Next week it’s a free scoring Predators side back on Lavant Village Green.

Lavant: Matt Bevan, Richard Gabb, Paul Jones, Simon Augustus, Jon Wright, James Brooks, Matt Stevens, Aaron Hancock, Pete Caveney, Oli Haggar, Dan Baker Subs: James Sandford, Matt Lyttle, Dan Cowell.

Lavant Reserves 6 Petworth Reserves 1

Lavant progressed to the next round of the Bareham Trophy with a comprehensive win at Raughmere Park on Saturday.

John Langridge was on target again for the hosts, bagging four goals, whilst a Charlie McLaren volley and an own goal completed the rout.

The home side, a division above their opponents, went with a more attacking line-up than usual and were ahead within 2 minutes. After Lee Smith forced a save at the near post, Greg Ayling’s delivery was nodded in at the back post by Langridge.

Petworth had a chance to equalise almost immediately but could only put a free header straight at the keeper and minutes later were further behind when Langridge again outjumped his marker to head home. Just 5 minutes later the striker had completed a 15 minute hatrick, firing in the loose ball in the box.

However the excellent start saw Lavant take their foot off the gas, and an early substitution for the visitors brought them back into the game, with only a fingertip save from Sanson preventing a lob finding the top corner.

The hosts didn’t heed the advice at the break and a sloppy pass straight from kick off drew a foul; the set piece was initially cleared but helped back in and Neil Latham could only slice into his own net in trying to clear.

Lavant had introduced McLaren and Keanu Burton-Hoyte at half time and the former immediately retook control of the game, dictating the play from centre midfield and stretching Petworth. Within 5 minutes of conceding Lavant had replied, Langridge grabbing his fourth as he smashed the ball high into the net.

An excellent flowing move from back to front saw Lee Smith cut in from the left wing and his drive across the face of goal could only be helped in by the defender. Shortly after the striker saw a thunderous 30-yard strike crash back off the post with the ‘keeper rooted to the spot as the home side piled on the pressure.

There was still time for McLaren to open his account, cleverly ghosting in at the back post to volley home Adam Yaxley’s corner from 12 yards to seal a fine team performance and earn Lavant a place in round two where they face Watersfield.

Lavant: Neil Sanson, Martin Smith, Neil Latham, Tom Parker, Matt Grace, Scott Yaxley, Greg Ayling, Paul Taylor, Adam Yaxley, John Langridge, Lee Smith. Subs: Charlie McLaren, Callum Spaul, Keanu Burton-Hoyte, Mickey Earle, Alex Holmes

Fittleworth 2 Lavant Reserves 3

Two goals from man of the match John Langridge helped Lavant return to winning ways at Fittleworth.

The Lavant striker, back in the side after a two game absence, scored either side of the break to help claim all three points and move Lavant up to 2^nd in Div 3 South.

After last week’s disappointing performance several changes were made to the starting line-up, with Paul Taylor and Greg Ayling coming back into the side in midfield, and Mike Sleet making his first start at left back.

Fittleworth started brightly but Lavant soon took a hold of the contest, their pass-and-move game too much for the hosts. Ayling and Taylor were dictating the play and with Langridge dominating the centre halves, a goal seemed inevitable. It looked to have come on 20 minutes when good link up play put Langridge in down the left channel and the striker drove the ball into the bottom corner, only to see the flag raised for offside.

The visitors didn’t have to wait too long to take the lead though. A quick throw out by Neil Sanson started a devastating counter attack as Tom Parker, Sleet and Adam Yaxley’s slick interchange fed Ayling down the left. His low cross evaded Langridge but was slammed into the top corner by Taylor sliding in at the back post.

Fittleworth had a chance to equalise immediately but Sanson was out quickly to close the angle and parry as the defence looked for a flag that was not forthcoming. Lavant made them pay on 39 minutes as another well-worked attack was well finished by Langridge.

But with 30 seconds left the visitors lost possession in a dangerous area and conceded a free kick on the edge of the box. The ball curled over the wall but came crashing down off the bar, only to be met by the onrushing striker to give the home side hope going into the break.

The second half was a more even affair; Fittleworth committed men forward but in turn left gaps at the back. Yaxley missed the target with his weaker foot from a good position and the home ‘keeper saved Langridge’s downward header. Fittleworth’s direct approach was causing some problems as they began to gamble, but the Lavant defence marshalled by skipper Chris Coe held firm, and increased their lead on 70 minutes. Another attack was broken up and the excellent Taylor’s pinpoint 40 yard pass saw Langridge out-muscle his marker and hammer into the top corner.

With 5 minutes to go a hopeful punt into the box was headed home despite Sanson getting a hand to it, but Lavant saw out the remaining minutes comfortably to keep up the pressure on the leaders before entering a run of 3 cup games.

Lavant: Neil Sanson, Martin Smith, Chris Coe (c) Neil Latham, Mike Sleet, Scott Yaxley, Tom Parker, Greg Ayling, Paul Taylor, Adam Yaxley, John Langridge. Subs: Will Cieszynski, Louis Weller, Dave McLean, Callum Spaul, Leon Mears

Lavant Reserves 0 West Chiltington Reserves 1

Lavant’s winning run came to an end on Saturday after a Louis Weller own goal condemned them to defeat.

Despite missing several players, Lavant were still able to post a strong squad but never got going and missed the opportunity to go 2nd.

For the second week in a row they were dealt an early blow, this time ‘keeper Rob Baylis sustaining a double break of a finger during the warm-up. Manager Neil Sanson donned the gloves but was helpless to stop ‘Chilt taking a deserved lead on 20 minutes. The home side conceded a free kick on the edge of the box, and the shot toward the far corner was diverted beyond Sanson into the other side by the outstretched leg of Weller.

Lavant were almost level after an excellent flowing move found Cieszynski down the right, and his first time cross was a whisker in front of Lee Smith at the back post. But it was a rare moment of quality from the hosts in a first half short on work rate both on and off the ball.

The second half saw an improvement and Smith’s shot was saved low to his left by the keeper, before McLean’s header flashed just wide. At the other end the back 4 were once again solid, restricting the visitors to long range efforts, but ‘Chilt were also defending  well and when Smith went off injured with 20 minutes to go, Lavant’s momentum waned and an equaliser never looked likely. Next week the men in yellow visit Fittleworth where they will be looking for a quick return to form.

Lavant: Neil Sanson, Matt Grace, Chris Coe, Tom Parker, Matt Hine, Scott Yaxley, Dave McLean, Lou Weller, Adam Yaxley, Lee Smith, Will Cieszynski. Subs: Martin Smith, Don Polack, Callum Spaul, Keanu Burton-Hoyte

Lavant 2 Henfield 1

Lavant hosted Henfield this week in a bid to get back on track after a disappointing result away to Ockley the week before.

A change in shape and the reinstatement of Baker and Haggar into the starting line-up would hopefully provide the springboard the home side were looking for. It appeared to of paid off almost immediately with Baker being played through by Haggar who fired low across the keeper only to strike the post.

Lavant persevered and were eventually rewarded and it was again that man Baker with the opportunity which this time he converted after being fed in by Brooks, rounding the keeper and tapping home.

Lavant continued on the front foot and managed to double their lead on the half hour mark, corner by Haggar finding Jones climbing high at the back post where the ball was smartly headed across goal for Baker to steer home.

At this point it really looked like Lavant would run away with the game but credit to the opposition they dug in and looked dangerous on the counter. 5 minutes from the half Henfield broke from a Lavant corner and despite good pressure from the home defence the Hens front man managed to find an angle to half the deficit going into the break.

Lavant went into the second half hoping they wouldn’t be punished for their earlier profligacy in front of goal. It was a bitty affair with Henfield looking dangerous on the counter after any sustained Lavant possession.

Lavant had a great shout for a penalty after the keeper felled Haggar after the striker beat the stopper to the ball but the referee felt otherwise. Neither keeper was really tested with shots from both sides sailing high and wide letting the home side see the game out for a much needed 3 points.

Lavant: Matt Bevan, Richard Gabb, Paul Jones, Simon Augustus, John Wright, James Brooks, Matt Stevens, Aaron Hancock, Pete Caveney, Ollie Haggar, Dan Baker Subs: James Sandford, Chris Harvey

Nytimber Pirates Reserves 1 Lavant Reserves 4

Lavant reserves continued their good form with a well-deserved win at Avisford Park, but were indebted to ‘keeper Rob Baylis for keeping them in the game early on.

Goals from LouisWeller, Paul Taylor and two from Will Cieszynski gave the visitors the points but they had to come from behind after another slow start.

Lavant lost front man John Langridge just before kick off but were boosted by the return of striker Lee Smith. However there was to be another setback just 90 seconds into the game, as Henry Polack jumped for a header in the box with the ‘Pirates forward and fell awkwardly with a nasty looking knee injury.

The visitors were unsettled and Baylis was forced into 3 good saves in quick succession, before an even better stop denied the hosts from close range. But as Lavant were starting to win the midfield battle, they conceded. A free kick from inside the ‘Pirates half was pumped forward and Palmer beat the onrushing Baylis to the ball and looped his header into the goal.

Lavant regrouped and were level on 35 minutes when Taylor played in Weller in the left channel, who curled his effort into the far corner. And they lead 5 minutes later when Taylor’s lofted through ball was misjudged by the keeper and bounced straight in.

Smith was introduced at half time and was an immediate threat, his pace and directness causing problems for the hosts, and was unlucky not to score when his chip over the keeper hit the corner of post and bar. And as Nyetimber pushed on for an equaliser, sub Cieszynski punished them on the break just 5 minutes after coming on. Played in by Smith, he calmly set himself before smashing past Taylor in the ‘Pirates goal, before slotting home Dave Maclean’s delightful through ball to make the game safe.

Despite a late aerial bombardment Lavant saw out the remaining minutes to make it nin points out of nine as they moved up to 3^rd and closed the gap on the leaders.

Lavant: Rob Baylis, Martin Smith, Neil Latham, Henry Polack, Matt Grace, Scott Yaxley, Dave Maclean, Paul Taylor, Louis Weller, Adam Yaxley, Micky Earle. Subs: Tom Parker, Lee Smith, Matt Hine, Will Cieszynski

Lavant Reserves 2  The Unicorn 0

Lavant Reserves continued their good form with another accomplished performance on Saturday.

After three away games in a row, the men in yellow were looking to make it a happy homecoming on a sunny afternoon in Lavant. After a nervy start, the home side committed a foul wide on the right and the well-delivered free kick caused problems before being scrambled clear. However as the first half wore on Lavant began to take control of the game, albeit without really testing the away ‘keeper, with Adam Yaxley’s left footed strike which hit the bar the closest they came to an opener.

The second half began as the first had finished and, just as last week, Lavant began to keep and use the ball better. The Unicorn were looking for the ball over the top but were having no joy, the back four of Paul Taylor, Neil Latham, Matt  Grace and MOM Henry Polack nullifying any threat superbly, and with the industrious Scott Yaxley breaking up the play in front of them, there only looked one team likely to score.

Lavant’s superiority finally told just after the hour mark. After a passage of possession football, the ball was worked down the right and the delivery saw John Langridge out-jump his marker to nod goalward. The keeper parried but Greg Ayling was there to follow up, firing into the roof of the net to score for the third week in a row.

Alex Holmes replaced Dave Maclean shortly after and made a positive impact, spreading and linking the play well. On 75 minutes the ball was fed down the left channel, and when it fell to Holmes 20 yards out, he curled a right-footed shot beyond the keeper and into the bottom left corner.

The game looked safe and the home side, with a full quota of subs, were able to freshen up the team, but this had no detrimental effect as they continued to create chances and, except for a rasping long-range half volley which just passed the post, controlled the last 10 minutes to complete a well deserved win.

Lavant: Rob Baylis, Paul Taylor, Neil Latham, Henry Polack (c), Matt Grace, Scott Yaxley, Dave Maclean, Will Cieszynski, Greg Ayling, Adam Yaxley, John Langridge. Subs: Martin Smith, Micky Earle, Chris Coe, Louis Weller, Alex Holmes