LYME REGIS 3 PERRY STREET 2

THE Seasiders get their defence of the Dorset Intermediate Cup under way this Saturday at home to Alderholt (2.30pm) brimming with confidence after a stunning fightback saw off league rivals Perry Street.

Lyme trailed 2-0 at Davey Fort last weekend before an inspired half-time substitution from boss Tim Edwards changed the complexion of the game in the second period.

Replacement Julien Simier halved the deficit then striker Joe Bond netted a brace in the last 10 minutes to turn the Perry Street League Premier Division match on its head.

The win sets Lyme up nicely for their first-round cup clash with Alderholt on Saturday – they defeated the same opponents in the semi-final of last season’s competition before going on to beat Gillingham Town A in the final.

Speaking after the brilliant comeback against Perry Street, Edwards said: “We got there in the end but it was a slow start.

“It wasn’t a good first half considering we had won so convincingly the week before, and we decided to change from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2 in the second half and bring another striker on.

“We’d have taken a point at the break and even when we were 2-1 down in the 80th-minute, but Joe Bond scored twice from close range and we came away with a great win.”

On the defence of the cup, he added: “We’ve got a good record in this cup and we want to retain the trophy.”