Category: News 2014 / 2015

Dramatic End to a Great Cup Run

James Sandford attacking Arundel’s goal

Lavant 2 Arundel Reserves 2 AET

Sussex Intermediate Cup – Semi Final

This was a game where Lavant found themselves wondering how on earth they’re not through to the final. Two hours of football were displayed showing the very best and the very worst of a much improved Lavant side from 12 months ago.

Many a match report has been written saying Lavant again started slow and conceded yet another early goal, but this is now a thing of the past. From the off Lavant were at their opponents and could have been 1-0 up in the opening minute but the woodwork saved Arundel’s blushes from Sandfords effort.

Lavants build up play continued to be neat and purposeful and on the 24^th minute were given a golden opportunity to take the lead after a Knight cross was handled in the box, however Brook’s penalty was well saved by the Arundel keeper.

Further chances fell to Lavant before the break with Brooks in the thick of it but halftime came and you couldn’t help but think that Lavant really should have been out of sight.

The second half started and Arundel were much improved, switching the ball well and using their wide men to good effect.

Ten minutes into the half Arundel were awarded a penalty of their own with their forward beating Sanson to the ball and being clipped in the process. Sanson was sent the wrong way from the resulting spot kick, 1-0 Arundel.

The lead didn’t last long, 6 minutes later Lavant levelled after the impressive James Batten headed home a Sandford free-kick. The remainder of the half was played out and extra time was needed to split the two sides.

Lavant started the extra time period with some good passing moves, again it was Brooks getting on the end of many a move but it really wasn’t his day in front of goal. But it wasn’t until the 2^nd half of extra time and the 116^th minute where the drama truly unfolded, Knight with the ball on the dead ball line managed to find the back of the net curling the ball in at the back post.

This was it, 4 minutes and Lavant were into the Intermediate Cup final.

Aaron Hancock on the ball

As said at the start, we’ve seen the best and now it was time for the worst of this Lavant side. It was stoppage time in extra time, a long hopeful ball from Arundel seemed to be carrying through to the Lavant keeper who called for the covering Jones to head home despite being far too close to each other, the end result is the ball looping over Sanson, it seemed as if it would just trickle wide but credit to the Arundel forward who made the ground up to poke into the empty net.

So the game looked destined for penalties, well you’d think. Lavant were wounded and Arundel took full advantage and looked for the winner. School boy defending saw the Arundel forward again felled in the box when all that was needed was to stay on your feet, take no chances as there was no real goal-scoring opportunity. The forward then got up to dispatch the resulting penalty kick.

So there you have it, Arundel went through with the last kick of the game, to the total dismay of all the players and spectators of Lavant FC.  The game was won and lost in just a matter of minutes.

We would just like to thank everyone from the village and afar who turned out to support the football team on the day. Defeat is a hard pill to swallow especially the way in which the cup game dramatically ended.  But from a neutral spectators point of view the game had everything.  A lovely location.  Pitch in great condition considering the weather (thanks Derek).  Great support on the day (thanks villagers). The Lavant team gave everything and actually out-performed our Sussex County League hosts on the day, the match itself was eventful, went to the wire and in all proved a great advertisement for true grass roots football and Lavant FC did the West Sussex Football League proud.

All that remains now is to wish our victors, Arundel Reserves all the best in their forthcoming Sussex Intermediate Cup Final.

Team from – Neil Sanson, Richard Gabb, Paul Jones, Matt Lyttle, Jon Wright, James Batten, James Brooks, Dave Knight, Aaron Hancock, Ollie Haggar, James Sandford (c). Subs: Dave Maclean, Mike Neville, Stuart Loversidge

Back to Winning Ways

Chapel 2 Lavant Reserves 5

Lee Smith returns from a three match ban to score three first half goals ! Although the game was far from pleasing to the manager Martin Pullen as Chapel led twice as Lavant struggled to gel as a team.

Chapel made their home advantage count as Lavant took an age to settle into the match. But at half time Lavant were just holding onto a narrow lead by two goals to three but and the issues had to be addressed at half time.

Stand-in centre back Martin Smith showed how tackling should be executed and Lee Smith goals had given hope for the second half.

Alex Holmes replaced a slightly injured Lee smith and Lavant contained the home side better in the second half. And goals from Leon Mears and Greg Ayling snuffed out any hopes of a Chapel come back.

Teamwork and discipline were the key words not adhered to ! We can do better and we will do better.

Man of the Match: Lee Smith

Next week Lavant Reserves are at home to Tangmere at Raughmere Park in their last league game this season.

Lavant host Arundel Reserves at home on the 21st February in the semi-final of the Sussex Intermediate Cup.

A big game for the club.  1.30pm Kick-off at Lavant Village Green.

Hope all our Lavant supporters will be there to cheer on the first team.

Lavant 1 Predators 0

Match Report to follow:

Team: Neil Sanson, Richard Gabb, Matt Lyttle, Paul Jones, Jon Wright, J.Batten, Aaron Hancock, James Brooks, Dave Knight, Ollie Haggar, Stuart Loversidge (c). Subs: Mike Neville, Dave Maclean, Paul Taylor.

West Sussex League

Sussex Intermediate Cup – Quater Fianls

Lavant 6 West Chiltington 1

Centenary Cup

Ockley 2 Cowfold Reserves 3 AET

Malcom Simmonds Cup

Lancing 4 Newtown Villa 1

Premier League

Faygate 3 Hunston CC 1
Henfield 4 Predators 3
Holbrook 4 Wittering 2

Bareham Trophy

Elmer 4 Ajax Trees 2

Sussex Junior Cup

TD Shipley 4 Predators Reserves 2

Division IV South

Wittering 5 Chapel 1
West Chiltington Reserves vs The Nelson HW

Chichester & West Sussex Sunday Football Legaue

Shuker Memorial Cup

The Claremont vs Whyke Utd HW

Division II

Hunston 1 Six Villages 2

Semi Final Spot Spices Up Season For Lavant

Aaron Hancock on the ball (Picture provided by kind permission of Chichester Observer)

Lavant 6 Lavant 1
Sussex intermediate Cup – Quarter Final

This weekend saw Lavant entertain West Chiltington in the Sussex Intermediate Cup quarter finals. Lavant started extremely well, dictating possession and territorially with the midfield trio of Knight, Hancock and Brooks dominating the centre of the park.

With Lavant well into their stride the deadlock was broken on the 15 minute mark, a well deliver cross from full back Jon Wright was glanced home by the late arriving Hancock.

Dan Baker on the ball (Picture provided by kind permission of Chichester Observer)

It wasn’t long until the lead was doubled with Knight collecting the ball just inside the area to fire home low to the keeper’s right. Lavant continued to press and Hancock got his 2^nd after being fed in and emphatically finished into the roof of the net.

With half drawing near, Knight also got his 2^nd of the match, picking up on a poor clearance from the West Chilt keeper, Knight converted from 35 yards with a delightful curling left footed effort and saw Lavant take a resounding 4-0 lead into the break.

The 2^nd half started with Lavant wanting to keep it tight and not give West Chilt any opportunity to get back in the tie. With 5 minutes played it was 4-1 following some scrappy defending by the home side and Gary Weedon floating the ball over the flat footed Sanson.

Goal scorer Dave Knight works hard to close down the West Chiltington attack (Picture provided by kind permission of Chichester Observer)

Lavant again settled and were then gifted a glorious opportunity to further their lead as Sandford was felled in the area only for Brook’s penalty to be saved and then fire over from the rebound.

Lavant soon after found the net again and Sandford found the net from a diving header in at the near post. With minutes left to play, Lavant made it 6 with 2 substitutes combining, a well delivered left wing cross by Loversidge found veteran Neville at the back post to head home in style. Lavant have now secured their spot in the Semi Finals and take on Arundel Reserves on the 21^st February at Lavant Village Green.

Team from – Neil Sanson, Richard Gabb, Jon Wright, James Batten, Matt Lyttle, Dave Knight, Aaron Hancock, James Brooks, Dan Baker, Ollie Haggar, James Sandford (c). Subs: Chris Coe, Mike Neville, Stuart Loversidge.

West Sussex League

Premier League

Upper Beeding 0 Lavant 3
Predators 6 Faygate 1
Holbrook 1 Cowfold 3

Division IV South

Ajax Tress 3 Lavant Reserves 3
Wittering Reserves 0 The Unicorn 3

Chichester & West Sussex Sunday Football Legaue

Invitation Cup – Group B

Lavant 2 The Claremont 2
Six Villages 1 Unicorn 5

Division II

LG Utd 3 Hunston 0

Upper Beeding 0 Lavant 3

Lavant travelled to Upper Beeding returning to league action and looking to get back on track after the disappointment of their Malcolm Simmonds Cup exit the previous week.

With the pitch just playable, it was never going to be a game of fancy football and Lavant decided to adopt a more direct approach which also bypassed the Beedings extra man in midfield. Beeding started well, using their flanks effectively and making Lavants midfield quartet work extremely hard. The physicality of their front man Garnham was also posing a threat but Lyttle and Jones were equal to the task.

Lavant eventually settled and stuck to their game plan, getting the ball in behind the fullbacks with both front men willing runners into the channels and preying on the lack of pace of the Beeding skipper Geard, who played so well at Lavant.

This approach soon paid dividends, with the impressive Haggar being set free to superbly finish from an acute angle. Beeding responded and persevered with neat build up play between Knowles and Parsons in the middle but Lavant continued to graft in order to snuff out any threats.

On the half hour mark, Lavant were awarded a penalty following a blatant shove from the Beeding keeper following a Lavant corner. Brooks confidently stepped up a dispatched to but behind him that crucial penalty miss at home.

Lavant still weren’t done for the half, Haggar picking the ball up deep and driving at the Beeding defence with an intelligent run by Sandford taking 2 of the defenders away allowed Haggar to run free and clip the ball over the stranded Beeding stopper on the stroke of halftime.

With a valuable lesson learnt from the previous week, Lavant were out early and raring to go, they were not going to let this lead slip. Beeding were almost gifted an opportunity in the opening minutes, Lyttle being caught in possession but recovering well.

Beeding continued to press and were virtually camped out in Lavants half, probing away but the defence stuck to their duties with great desire and tenacity. Lavant still looked dangerous on the break and on another day Haggar could have come away with his hattrick. Instead Lavant played out the game holding onto their 1^st half lead with some last ditch blocks, tackles and ultimately deserved the clean sheet.

Next week sees Lavant take on West Chiltington at home in the Sussex Intermediate Challenge Cup in what promises to be a fantastic tie with a team from the WSPL guaranteed a spot in the Semi Finals.

Team: Neil Sanson, Richard Gabb, Matt Lyttle, Paul Jones, Jon Wright, Mike Neville, Aaron Hancock, James Brooks, Paul Taylor, Ollie Haggar, James Sandford (c). Subs: Adam Yaxley