Lavant have been given a cup bye in the 2nd round of the Sussex Intermediate cup following the withdraw of AFC Roffey from the Southern Combination football league.
In the third round to be played on the 12th November, Lavant will host the winners of the game between Seaford Town and Brighton Electricity being played on the 8th October.

Lavant 5 Hunston CC 1

Lavant put in a dominant performance against fellow Chichester side Hunston this weekend in a game where the margin could’ve been far greater.

Lavant had plenty of the ball in the opening exchanges, although no clear cut chances were carved out it was easy to see it was going to be a matter of when rather than if.

On the half hour mark it was the impressive Dan Baker who broke the deadlock, Matt Lyttle followed his pass out of defence to join a sweeping attack and it was his deft touch that played in Baker to finish sublimely across to the keepers right. Ten minutes later Baker was on hand to net Lavant’s second and give the home side a comfortable and deserved 2-0 at the break.

The second half saw the visitors look to impose themselves on the game, trying to break up Lavant’s slick passing moves. Chances came and went for Lavant, hoping that their profligacy wouldn’t cost them later in the game.

Then came Lavant’s much needed third, Will Cieszynski was felled in the left corner, the resulting free kick found Hancock darting in to stoop and nod home giving Lavant an important cushion. Shortly after Hancock had his second, following a bit of a scramble he neatly slotted away and a fully deserved brace.

Hunston then got their consolation goal, Charlie Mclaren with the foul and a well delivered free kick saw a free header loop over the stranded Ash Court. Lavant will be disappointed to have conceded after limiting their opponents to so little over the course of the fixture.

However, this was the motivation Lavant needed to push on and get more and it was the goal of the game that followed to allow Baker to complete his hattrick. Great play again down the Lavant right, James Sandford with the through ball and Baker lobbing the on rushing keeper from a good 25 yards. The icing on the cake for a polished performance.

Team: Ash Court, Matt Grace, Paul Jones, Matt Lyttle, Jon Wright, Aaron Hancock, James Brooks (captain), Charlie McLaren, Will Cieszynski, James Sandford, Dan Baker. Sub: Alan Sheppard

Coal Exchange 4 Lavant Reserves 3

The new look Lavant Reserves side took on Emsworth based Coal Exchange at Arun Leisure Centre’s 3G pitch and eventually lost by the narrowest of margin’s in the dying seconds of the game after coming back to level the score at 3-3 with minutes remaining in the clock.  Goals from Barry McCoy, John Langridge and Micky Earle.  Man of the match again this week was Barry McCoy.

Team: Rhys Griffiths, Ben Price, James Hockin, Neil Latham, Matt Stevens, Gary Rowlands, Adam Yaxley, John Langridge, Barry McCoy, Greg Ayling, Micky Earle. Subs: Jaimey Willet, Keanu Burton-Hoyte

Charlie McLaren & Matt Lyttle – Lavant vs West Chiltington 10th September 16

Sussex Intermediate Challenge Cup

Ferring o Newtown Villa 7
Holbrook 1 Eastbourne Town 2
Nytimber Pirates 5 Goring CC 0
Petworth 4 Storrington Community Reserves 3

Premier Division

Hunston CC 3 Wisborough Green 5
Lavant 3 West Chiltington 1
Predators 1 Henfield 4
TD Shipley 0 Rogate 2

Division II South

Clymping Reserves 1 The Crown 3
Hammer Utd 3 Coal Exchange 3
The Unicorn 3 Yapton 0

Matt Lyttle taking free-kick just outside West Chiltington’s box, late second half 

Lavant 3 West Chiltington 1

This weekend Lavant hosted West Chiltington looking to put behind them their disappointing opening weekend defeat vs Rogate. It was a steady start by the home side, enjoining the lion’s share of possession, disciplined in their shape and solid in defence.

Lavant failed to create any clear cut chance during the opening exchanges and as their frustration grew West Chiltington started to get them into the game. Their one ball approach was predictable but becoming effective with the ever busy Gary Weaden playing through the centre and if not for Matt Lyttle and Paul Jones defending superbly Lavant could have found themselves behind.

Against the run of play at that point and perfectly timed to tip the balance of play Lavant took the lead. With West Chiltington caught in possession allowing a superb through to Dan Baker, in an onside position and competently fired home past the exposed keeper.

Minutes later Lavant looked to of double the lead, great work by Aaron Hancock on the right hand side, a fortunately deflection from some robust challenges found Peter Caveney free in the box to toe home. Offside was given but no one could describe who, what, where or why? In any case the goal was chalked off.

This clearly gave greater motivation to the home side that shortly after doubled their lead and in what style. Again the build up was neat, tidy and more importantly patient. James Sandford was found 12 yards out who showed great feet to fashion an opening to rifle in off the underside of the bar, great goal.

The second half was all about remaining solid and giving the visitors no sniff of a comeback being on the cards. Lavant dealt with what West Chiltington had to throw at them, played the percentages by looking to turn them over at any given opportunity before settling the game down. Any storm was weathered and the defence stood firm, but then the visitors were given a lifeline. On this occasion the lines weren’t cleared and an opportunist drive from outside the area zipped off the surface to beat goalkeeper Ash Court.

This of course left some nervy moments for the Lavant, but it was the home side that put the game to bed with the impressive Baker netting his second following more good play on Lavant’s right coming from the feet of Hancock.

Team: Ash Court, Matt Grace, Paul Jones, Matt Lyttle, Richard Gabb, Aaron Hancock, James Brooks (captain), Charlie McLaren, Pete Caveney, James Sandford, Dan Baker. Sub: Will Cieszynski

The team celebrate’s Dan Bakers second goal and Lavant’s third of the game 

Rogate 2 Lavant 0

Lavant 2 Lancing Utd 0

Lavant, have kicked-off their season by winning the Walter Rossiter Trophy, beating Lancing Utd 2-0 nil on Wednesday evening, 31st August at Arundel Football Club.

Playing in the leagues annual curtain raiser for the first time, Lavant took a while to get going and had man of the match Ashley Court to thank after he kept them level with a string of first-half saves.

The lions gradually grew into the contest and took the lead on 35 minutes thanks to a well-worked counter attack. After good work down the right-hand side, the ball found Ollie Haggar who cleverly fed the advancing Pete Caveney, who slotted home past the on-rushing goalkeeper.

More dogged defending from the Lavant back line kept the score at 1-0 going into half-time.

After the break Lavant began to gain more territory and they deservedly extended their lead in the 59th minute. A marauding run from midfielder Charlie McClaren resulted in a driven cross which striker James Sandford did well to keep down, firing the ball low into the Lancing net.

In the final minutes Lancing peppered the Lavant goal but the only real moment of danger was when a Lancing shot was clawed out by the faultless Court between the sticks.

Lavant held on to lift the trophy in what promises to be a memorable season in both league and cup.

Lavant celebrating their win after the game

Team: (back row) Simon Augustus, Dave Turner, Alan Sheppard, Jon Wright, Will Cieszynski, Ash Court, Stuart Eastwood (Manager), Paul Cooper (Coach), David Kent. (middle row) Richard Gabb & Matt Grace. (front row) John Price, Matt Lyttle, Dan Baker, James Brooks (captain), James Sandford, Oli Haggar, Charlie McLaren, Pete Caveney & Aaron Hancock

An early chance for some silverware as Lavant play Lancing,  at Arundel (7.30pm) on Wednesday 31st August.

August

The Walter Rossiter Trophy is played for in a one off game hosted at the start of each season.

September

We are in the final stages of ordering the new kits for the forthcoming season with sponsors.

The shirt is the short sleeve Nike Precision III 739 University Gold/Royal Blue.

With Nike Park II Knit (Royal Blue) Shorts and Nike Classic II (Royal Blue) Socks.

We are going back to the more traditional colour’s of Lavant Football.

It is also planned this season to issue each player with a pair of their own Nike Classic II (Royal Blue) socks funded in part by the player signing-on fees, which you will be expected to bring and use for each match. Forget your socks on match days and you will be charged/fined to hire a pair.

This is because many players would prefer to have their own socks and it will reduce the amount of kit washing each week.

Lavant FC kicked-off their pre-season schedule on the 14th July in preparation for the new season starting on the 3rd September.

Lavant this season have two sides on Saturdays playing up to intermediate level in the local

West Sussex League, Premier Division and Division 2 South respectfully and we are looking for new players to strengthen both sides.

The philosophy adopted at the club is that the process of selection for all teams starts at pre-season. We welcome back all our current players as well as inviting any new players to come along and train together and compete openly for a place in one of our sides during the pre-season. 

Pre-Season training is held twice weekly, every Tuesday and Thursday night initially on the village green, starting 6.30pm prompt.

Please ensure you bring to every session football boots/trainers, running shoes and plenty of water/fluids.

Friendly Games:

Thursday 28th July – Predators vs Lavant (Result 3-3)

Saturday 6th August – Sidlesham vs Lavant

Saturday 13th August – Upper Beeding vs Lavant

Wednesday 16th August – Lavant vs Bosham

Plus we are trying to arrange other friendlies with Selsey, Midhurst and Pulborough.
Confirmation of further friendlies will be posted on the website as soon as they are all confirmed.

During the Season:

From September training reverts back to one session a week on Wednesday nights and starting the 14^th September, training also transfers to the Arena 3G All Weather pitch at Bognor 6.30pm to 8pm.

Training will remain at the Arena until the end of March 2013, after which we revert back to Lavant.

So if you are interested in playing for a great village Football Club, local to the Chichester area, then please come along and take part in one of our pre-season sessions. 

If you require more information about the club and the pre-season schedule then please contact either the 1^st Team Manager Stuart Eastwood on 07825525832, Reserve Team Manager Neil Sanson on 07790763531.  Or David Kent on 01243 780178.