Lavant FC back home – Pagham and Selsey slip up – Bosham hit five

As part of the housing development by Sunley of the old top pitch, the football club had spent a full season playing home matches in Chichester on a council pitch, while a new FA-standard pitch was constructed in a field adjacent to the village hall, across from Pook Lane.

The new pitch, after construction and seeding, had to have two full growing seasons before the club could use it.

Additionally the changing rooms located in the village hall were fully refurbished.Finally the day arrived to mark the start of a new era for the village club and it started with a team photo with the club’s main sponsors Bleach of Lavant, who have recently celebrated 100 years as a local haulage company.

Bleach sponsor the men's team and newly launched youth team, ensuring grass roots football remains strong in Lavant.

The first home fixture saw Lavant host early season West Sussex premier leaders Unicorn, a tough test for manager John Price's young team.

The home side were quick to make the most of the new full size, excellent quality pitch and took an early 2-0 lead.

From there on, it was very much one-way traffic as Lavant added another three goals, earning man of the match Levi Bentley his first hat-trick for the club, and a goal each for Zac Moy and Jake O'Brennan, ensuring the home side took a commanding 5-0 lead into half-time.

The second half saw Lavant press the Unicorn goal, adding a further four goals before the final whistle, and a second half hat-trick from Josh Castle and a second for Moy capped a memorable performance by the full squad – marking Lavant's homecoming with a resounding 9-0 win.

Lavant FC would like to thank Sunley Developments, Lavant Parish Council, Lavant Village Hall and the village volunteers for making the new pitch and refurbished facilities become reality.

A week after the homecoming, nine-man Lavant held on to win 3-2 at Rudgwick.

With 35 minutes gone Zac Moy’s corner was met by Lavant captain Charles Selby who headed home. Five minutes later Moy added another.

After the break Rudgwick pulled it back to 2-2 – before Levi Bentley restored the lead, ending a fast and furious 15 minutes of football.

La vant lost Matt Lyttle to the sin-bin after a disputed refereeing decision then more dissent led to Moy receiving a straight red

MoM was Freddie Mercer.

PAGHAM FC

Pagham have had a disappointing week – but boss Del Chester is staying positive.

The Lions lost 1-0 to Baffins Milton Rovers in the Wessex premier at the weekend before slipping out of the Sussex Senior Cup with a 2-0 midweek defeat at Steyning.

Chester said: “We’re in a run of games at the moment where football doesn’t feel like it’s giving back to us.

"On Saturday we came up against a strong Baffins side that have had a good run of results and I think it’s fair to say we dominated the game for very long periods, falling short in front of goal.

“Against Steyning in the Sussex Senior Cup it was much of the same. But not putting the ball in the net will eventually cost you.

"My players just need to step up and be counted in the last third and right now it’s a matter of scoring in the right moments of games and taking our chances when we are dominating.

“It’s frustrating as our league position doesn’t lie - however I think it’s safe to say that most teams we’ve played, with the exception of Horndean, would not have argued had the result been reversed.

"I can’t ask any more of my players in terms of commitment and attitude.

"But we do need to bring a little bit more quality and conviction in front of goal on Saturday at home to Stoneham, who are going well this season.

"Two loan signings in Brad Lethbridge and Ben Mendoza this week have bolstered the squad.

"And I know it’s only a matter of time before we have a change in fortune and the results will turn around for us.”

Selsey 1 Godalming 2

SCFL division one

A Shane Brazil wasn’t enough to stop the Blues’ long league unbeaten run ending at the hands of Godalming.

Selsey took the lead with a penalty but couldn't capitalise on the lead and conceded from a corner just before half-time.

Boss Darten Pearce said: “The half was a good spectacle for the supporters but we felt we were too open at times and gave our visitors the time and space to cause us some anxious moments – but good goalkeeping and defending kept them at bay until they equalised.

"In the second half we came out and had a great chance at 1-1 but we didn't take it and then were reduced to 10 men which gave us an uphill task. The visitors were awarded a penalty and converted it. We couldn't get an equaliser.

“We know we need to be better than we were Saturday but the lads have done well so far and we have been on a good run.”

Selsey travel to Mile Oak on Saturday.

Bosham 5 Rottingdean 1

SCFL Div 2

Bosham put on a showstopping performance to get back to winning ways at the expense of a Rottingdean side who had experienced travel problems getting to the game.

Bosham started brightly with Kieran Hartley looking a menace and a typically surging run saw the deadlock broken when a penalty was awarded as Mike Turvey was upended in the box. Hartley did the business from 12 yards.

Soon the excellence of Lewis Rustell shone through with a fearsome shot that flew past keeper Will Lombard.

Rght on half-time Louis Bell provided a sumptuous chip over the defence and into the path of Hartley, who slid the ball into the back of the net.

Approaching the final quarter, Rottingdean were awarded a penalty that Jake Burton struck home.

Minutes later Rustell grabbed his second with a strong finish – before being forced off with a knock.

Inl injury time, after Paul Widger came off the bench to replace Hartley, the sub was on hand to set up unmarked Will Lintott to tap the ball home. Walton Lane will be a stern test for Copthorne this Saturday.

ALAN PRICE