COLYTON 3 LYME REGIS 0

LYME Regis began their Devon & Exeter League Premier Division season with a deceptive 3-0 defeat at Colyton.

The Seasiders will feel the scoreline did not reflect the game as Lyme hit the woodwork on numerous occasions and had a Josh Daines goal disallowed after being adjudged to have fouled the home keeper.

Daines had earlier spurned a golden chance from inside the six-yard box in the fifth minute, somehow managing to blaze over.

After Colyton’s reprieve, the hosts counter-attacked and took the lead as Charlie Bye converted a near-post header.

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Colyton wasted two chances to go 2-0 up as Lyme keeper Chris Higgs kept the hosts at bay, before Seasiders’ left-back Rob Fellingham was unlucky to see his free-kick clatter the angle on 30 minutes.

However, Lyme were undone when Billy Knox nutmegged Fellingham and slid the ball past Higgs for 2-0 moments before the break.

Lyme improved in the second half as Fred Parsons hit the post, Daines fired over again and Dan Rendell crashed an effort against the bar.

Colyton eventually punished Lyme for their missed chances as Will Sydenham scored on the break five minutes from time.

Lyme’s Mark Bailey said: “We’ve hit the woodwork three or four times and missed two massive chances.

“Equally, it was a really open game and they were way more clinical than us.”

Lyme now turn to their first home game of the season on Saturday, with Clyst Valley the visitors (3pm).

Bailey added: “We’re looking for a reaction. Anyone at home, we’ve got to be looking to win every game.

“We are very strong at home traditionally and if we have any hopes of being in that top two, we need to be winning all the home games. We need to get our season on track.”

Joe Bond, Fellingham and Kingsley Wellman all miss out.

Lyme: Higgs, Lewis (Fowler), J Sargent, Beer, Fellingham, Parsons, Turner, A Rowe, B Rowe (Knight), Daines, Bailey (Rendell).