West Sussex League: First game no so gr-eight for Lavant ... Bosham cut down by Razors

A heavy opening-match defeat for Lavant, a cup loss for Bosham and a big win for Ambassadors feature in our latest West Sussex League round-up.

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Lavant 1 Newtown Villa 8

West Sussex League premier division

Newtown richly deserved their win in Lavant’s first league game of the season.

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The home side started well until their opponents scored a fortunate goal when Gary Clarke finished an Andy Dean cross from a breakaway after eight minutes.

At this point, the home side gave up the ghost. Newtown wanted the win more. They were energetic, produced runs off the ball and were first to the ball - everything Lavant were not.

Lavant had no heart and were punished for it with goals from Clarke again on 23 minutes, a Matty Russell free-kick on 34 minutes and playmaker Luke Allen on 41.

The second half carried on in the same vein with goals from Russell from the spot on 49 minutes and another finish eight minutes later, and Clarke completing his hat-trick on 70 minutes.

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James Brooks pulled one back from the penalty spot on 82 minutes but Tom Ide finished the rout just before the whistle.

It was Lavant’s worst defeat in 12 years of David Parker’s managership.

Lavant host Bosham on Saturday and without improvement in attitude will be in for another roasting.

LAVANT: Sanso; Polack, Parker, Wright, Lyttle; Neville, Knight, Brooks, Meadway; Caveney, Sandford. Subs: Smith, Price, Holmes.

Hair Razors 2 Bosham 0

Sussex Intermediate Cup

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A dedicated display from the Hair Razors of Brighton ended Bosham’s Intermediate Cup campaign at the first hurdle.

Bosham came into the tie with confidence high but were brought back to reality by a Blues squad containing a number of players from the Brighton representative squad. Midfielder Ross Smith had terrific pace and guile in the centre of the park, leaving the likes of James Wilson and Matt Docherty trailing in his wake.

Despite a positive start from the Reds, including a good effort from Billy Huntley, the Blues started to find their edge. A goalmouth scramble saw Simon Hasted save the day but on 35 minutes the inevitable happened and Smith was heavily involved in the build-up that saw Hair Razors move ahead.

Smith directed a free-kick deep into the area and the flight caught out the defence, resulting in Matt Jupp poking it past Hasted.

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Bosham’s Nick Edgington showed his team-mates how to do it with some strong tackles and purposeful runs.

In the second half, there were chances for both sides. Edgington was close with a superb curling effort from the edge of the box that brought an incredible save from keeper Aaron Merchant, who made a number of brilliant stops.

Bosham’s destiny was sealed with 20 minutes to go as Chris Brewcher scored on the turn to double the lead. Brewcher found the bottom corner of the Bosham net to leave Reds frustrated.

Kieran Hartley hit the bar for Bosham but it was Hair Razors who moved on.

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BOSHAM: Hasted, Mullen, Dowden, Edgington, Jack Hancock, Docherty, Giambelardini, Wilson, Joe Hancock, Huntley, Hartley. Subs: Brett, Redman.

ALAN PRICE

Ambassadors 7 Ewhurst 1

Division 3 Cup

Ambassadors cruised into the next round of the cup with six unanswered second-half goals.

Dave Cotton’s neat volley opened the scoring after Ewhurst failed to clear their lines. A lively response from the visitors put Ambassadors on the back foot and the shot-stopping of keeper Crabb was pivotal. An equaliser was slotted home from the right wing with The Viola struggling to string passes together.

However, half-time proved a port in a storm for Ambassadors, who were able to collect their thoughts and experience a hairdryer from stand-in boss Andy Lewis.

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A rigid formation gave way for three in the middle which allowed Ambassadors to become more dynamic.

Ockwell’s long-range strike opened the floodgates, while Cotton’s first of four made sure they didn’t shut.

Collins used his deeper role to stitch passes together and found his range with some threaded through-balls. Cotton seemed to relish his role off the shoulder and slotted home two more.

The Viola were fully on top and Burrell’s dink set up Deng slamming home from close range.

Ambassadors capitalised on their exasperation with another to wrap it up.

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