Category: News 2014 / 2015

Henfield 1 Lavant 5

Lavant faced the long away trip to hosts Henfield at the end of the Easter break, with a number of regular first team players unavailable.

Manager Stuart Eastwood however was able to draw from other players within the club and still field a strong side for this difficult away fixture. Into the starting eleven went Pete Caveney and Greg Ayling. Also Ben Purgavie who returned to the first team after a number of weeks out and finally Jason Houghton starting his firsty game since he dislocated his big toe back at the end of December.

Lavant started the game playing up hill on a very dry and uneven pitch. And although at times difficult to get the ball down and under control Lavant worked hard and dominated the half forging out numerous chances, before one such move found Caveney on the far left who headed home to give the visitor a deserved lead.

Lavant however were just not able to further extend their lead missing a number of guilt-edged chances and as the half drew to a close Henfield started to come more into the game and capitalised, when Neil Sanson failed to hold a low shot, scoring from the loose ball, drawing level minutes before half time.

The second half Lavant now had the advantage of being downhill, but for the first ten minutes they failed the take control of the game, as Henfield looked the more likely to score. Then a quick breakaway and a flick in on goal saw Sandford score, to put Lavant once more back into the lead. Substitute Dan Baker then scored the goal of the game to further extend Lavant’s lead.

Now Lavant were well on top and playing some dominant football as Sandford score his second of the match, followed by the move of the game which saw Ollie Haggar break down the right wing and in on goal before pulling the ball back into the path of the oncoming Aaron Hancock who drilled the ball past the keeper to give Lavant in the end a comfortable five-one win.

Next up is the home fixture to title challengers Ockley on Wednesday the 15th April at Raughmere Park, Lavant. Kick-Off 6.00pm

Full Match Report to follow.

Team: Neil Sanson, Richard Gabb, Ben Purgavie, Jason Houghton, Jon Wright, Ollie Haggar, Pete Caveney, Dave Knight, Aaron Hancock, Greg Ayling, James Sandford (c). Subs: Dan Baker, Matt Grace.

West Sussex League

Premier League

Henfield 1 Lavant 5
Cowfold 1 Faygate 0
Predators 5 Holbrook 0
West Chiltington 4 Ockley 0

Division IV South

Predators Reserves 4 West Chiltington Reserves 0
The Unicorn 1 Ajax Trees 2

Chichester & West Sussex Sunday Football Legaue

Division II

Hunston vs Avisford Sports
Whyke Utd vs Six Villages
Westbourne vs The Unicorn

Sussex FA Sunday Challange Trophy

Jarvis Brook vs The Claremont

West Sussex League

Premier League

8th April
Henfield 2 West Chiltington 2

6th April
West Chiltington 3 Hunston CC 1
Ockley 5 Predators 1
Faygate vs Wittering  – Away Win

Division IV South

6th April
Predators Reserves 1 The Unicorn 3

Chichester & West Sussex Sunday Football Legaue

Division II

9th April
Lavant 1 BR Railway Club 1

West Sussex League

Premier League

Lavant 2 Hunston CC 1
Holbrook 1 Newtown Villa 1
Henfield 4 Faygate 1
Ockley 1 Cowfold 0
Wittering vs West Chiltington – Away Win

Centenary Cup

Predators 5 Alfold 0

Division IV South

Tangmere 0 Ajax Trees 3
Chapel 0 Predators Reserves 3

Chichester & West Sussex Sunday Football Legaue

Division II

Lavant 2 FNK Utd 1
BR Railway 3 The Claremont 2
Six Villages 4 Westbourne Club 1

Lavant 2 Hunston 1

This Saturday Lavant faced local rivals Hunston.

With Hunston now mathematically unable to overtake West Chiltington in third from bottom place in the Premier League the pressure was off with regards to automatically avoiding relegation and it showed in their spirited performance.

Hunston started the game chasing everything, whilst Lavant had to begin with an easy game approach to the match.  That changed after fifteen minute when a mix up between Neil Sanson and Matt Lyttle allowed the Hunston striker to meet the ball first and score, giving Hunston a deserved one-nil lead.

Suddenly Lavant woke up and pressed for the equaliser, but Hunston held firm going into half time to maintain their one-nil lead.

Manager Stuart Eastwood’s stern half time talk ensured that Lavant raised their work rate further and urgency straight from the start of the second half, but no matter how hard they tried they could not break down the stubborn visitors.

Then with twenty minutes remaining captain James Sandford finally pulled one back for Lavant.  Game on, as it was all Lavant now and with five minutes remaining they score what they thought was thier second, only for it be somehow ruled offside by the linesman.

With ten minutes remaining Lavant then lost regular full-back Paul Jones as a result of a shoulder injury, so had to finish the match with only ten men.

The game looked to be ending in a draw, but Lavant never gave up and right on the ninety minutes Dan Baker was quickest to react in the box and score the much needed winner for Lavant to the dismay of the visiting Hunston side, who perhaps just for their efforts over the ninety minutes deserved a draw.

Full Match Report to follow:

Team: Neil Sanson, Neil Latham, Paul Jones, Matt Lyttle, Jon Wright, Ollie Haggar, Pete Caveney, Dave Knight, Aaron Hancock, Dan Baker, James Sandford (c). Subs: Greg Ayling, Chris Coe.

The remaining fixture for April & May have been published, but a number of games could be subject to change as their are still some preliminary cup fixtures to complete.

West Sussex League

Centenary Cup

Lavant 9 Beaumont Park 1
Nyetimber Pirates 1 West Chiltington 0
TD Shipley 0 Predators 4
Pulborough 0 Upper Beeding 4

Premier League

Cowfold 1 Newtown Villa 2
Faygate vs Ockley – Away Win
Holbrook 5 Hunston CC 0
Wittering 1 Henfield 9

Division IV South

Ajax Trees 2 Predators Reserves 1

Chichester & West Sussex Sunday Football Legaue

Division II

FNK Utd 2 Avisford Sports 2

Invitation Cup

BR Railway 4 Club Hunston CC 1
Six Villages 2  Westbourne Club 3
The Claremont 5 SC Aldwick 0

Lavant 9 Beaumont Park 1

This Saturday Lavant faced Divison III South side Beaumont Park in the quarter final of the Centenary Cup.

Beaumont Park made Lavant work hard for their two-nil lead going in to half time. With the visitors keeper having a fantastic game in goal denying Lavant on numerous occasions.

However Lavant stepped up a gear second half to score another seven goals, whilst Beaumont Park scored a late consolation goal at the end.

Goal scorers for Lavant were James Sandford x3, Dan Baker x3, Dave Knight x2 and Greg Ayling.

Lavant now progress to another semi-final game on the 18th April away to the winners of the match between Predators and Alfold (being played on the 4th April).

Full Match Report to follow:

Team: Rob Baylis, Richard Gabb, Paul Jones, James Batten, Matt Lyttle, Ollie Haggar, James Brooks, Mike Neville, Dave Knight, Dan Baker, James Sandford (c). Subs: Jon Wright, Aaron Hancock, Greg Ayling.

Lavant into the Charity Cup Final
Unicorn 1 Lavant 4

Lavant booked themselves into the Charity Cup Final after an impressive team win.

Lavant were up for this game and started much stronger and faster than previous weeks. The early pressure created chances. A Lavant corner from Cooper saw the keeper flapping and captain, Gary Jefkins took full advantage of this and headed the ball into the goal after just 5minutes, 0-1.

Lavant chances kept on being made. A cross goal ball from Loversidge, a Sheppard attack and cross couldn’t be met by the Lavant forwards. A 30 yard strike was only inches wide when Haggar saw the opening.  The Lions should have been taking their chances, especially Loversidge who’s shot from 6yards out resulted in a throw in for the Unicorn!

The home side started to find form and applied some pressure, only for the in form defence to soak it up.
With 5 minutes of the half remaining Lavant had a throw in high up the field. Evans found Loversidge who turned two defenders and powered the ball into the top far corner from 20 yards out, 0-2.

Half time was full of cheer from The Lions, yet they knew the job was far from done.
As expected the Unicorn came at Lavant from the start of the second half. Once again, disciplined defending didn’t allow the attacks to amount to much. It was only a poor clearance that dropped to a Unicorn midfielder who hit a powerful shot on target that let the home side in. Baylis took the sting off of the shot but not the spin as it rolled into the goal, 1-2.

Lavant had their work cut out but were up to the job. A quick break from midfield to Haggar, a two on two, a ‘neat’ pass and Sheppard was in. He dropped his shoulder and the keeper committed, allowing the pacy forward to slot the ball under the Unicorn shot stopper, 1-3.

Lavant were looking comfortable and focused. A ball back to the Unicorn keeper saw him handle outside his area. Only a yellow card but a chance for Lavant to wrap things up from 19 yards out. Cooper and McCoy stood over the ball. Cooper fired the ball around the 10 man wall. The ‘ping’ of the inside of the post sounded, then the rustle of the net. Lavant had extended their lead with 10 minutes to go, 1-4.

There was a swagger about The Lions now as they all found a second wind.
Unicorn threw everything at Lavant but the team worked harder than ever to hold onto their 3 goal lead.

Substitutes, Weller, Eccles and Fargher came on and carried on in the same manner, running hard and stopping Unicorn from creating.  The full time whistle blew and Lavant and their deserved win.
Fantastic performances from all the Lavant players.

Team: Rob Baylis, Ben Evans, Gary Jefkins (c), Barry McCoy, Carl Drinkwater, Darren Pannell, Dave Maclean, Ollie Haggar, Paul Cooper, Alan Sheppard, Stuart Loversidge.  Subs: Graham Fargagr, Nick Eccles, Louis Weller, Daryl Hayward-Hall. Manager: Mel Milburn

ScissorShed Sponsored Player Ratings:

Baylis:
The young keeper was vocal, organising his defence and commanding his area. Not the busiest of games for him but did his job well when called upon. Unlucky with the goal. 8/10
Evans:
Stepped into right back and looked comfortable. Managed to get forward to support Sheppard on occasions, too. Certainly a player that is capable in a number of positions. 8/10
Jefkins:
The captain was once again the stalwart of the team. His experience and ability make it look easy. Put the fire in the teams belly and organised well for the full 90. Opened the scoring to get the game off to a good start. 9/10
McCoy:
A late-comer to the squad and certainly didn’t disappoint. Spraying pin point balls all over the pitch and calmly dealing with everything the home side threw at him. MoM. STARMAN 9.5/10
Drinkwater:
Mr Consistant. Calm in possession and never looks flustered. Has come on well under the captains influence. Found Haggar well and dealt with the opposition too. 8/10.
Pannell:
A joy to see him back in action for The Lions. Has never looked fitter and more in control. A full on committed player that gives everything to the cause. Yellow card. 9/10
Maclean:
Like Pannell, he gives his all every game and this was no exception. Battled for everything and managed get forward with the ball. Lost himself for 5mins in the second half but showed his character when he settled straight back into the task in hand. 8/10
Sheppard:
Although it took him 15mins to find his feet he still gave Unicorn problems. Defensively sound and his burst of pace in attack worried his marker. Deserved his goal and unlucky not to get more. 8/10
Cooper:
A captain without the band. His ability on the ball inspires and encourages those around him. The opposition didn’t know who should be marking him. Goal of the game with an awesome free kick. 8/10
Haggar:
Always a problem for defenders. He showed hunger and was the leader of most of the attacks. One assist and unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. 8/10
Loversidge:
Had his work cut out today as a lone striker but held the ball up well. Worked hard for the team and deserved his reward. Beauty of a goal. 8/10
Weller:
A great attitude from the most chilled man in Sussex. Got straight into the pace of the game and tracked back well to help his team mates. 6/10
Eccles:
Limited minutes made it hard for the youngster but he still put himself about and didn’t let their defence play out easily. 5/10
Fargagr:
Another with limited minutes. However, he still went out there with grit and determination. 5/10
Referee: 70/10

MoM: Barry McCoy

Lavant will be in the final at Arundel Football Club on Thursday 30th April v Claremont, 7.30pm kick off.

Lavant play FNKUtd at home on the 5th April.