LYME REGIS 3

UNIVERSITY OF EXETER II 2

LYME Regis extended to four games their unbeaten run with a 3-2 victory over University of Exeter Seconds at Davey Fort.

Julien Simier’s Seasiders have now won their past three games, scoring 14 goals in the process in rising up to sixth in the Devon & Exeter League Premier Division.

Lyme had to do it the hard way as the students took a deserved lead in the 20th minute through Zack Mackay.

After struggling in the first half, Lyme did well to completely change the tide in the second period.

READ MORE: Lyme Regis record best result for 23 months

Looking transformed after the break, the Seasiders got the equaliser as Brad Rowe rifled home from just outside the box.

Suddenly, Lyme’s passing was back and the Seasiders exerted control on the game.

Fred Thomson drilled in a corner and Ben Turner was on hand to barge the ball over the line.

Lyme’s third goal was similarly scrappy as the students’ keeper spilled a Rob Fellingham free-kick and Robbie Fowler reacted quickest to score.

Rowe was denied a second by the offside flag and then University halved their deficit through Joseph Alman in the 68th minute.

His strike set up a tense finale, with Lyme collecting six yellow cards in the whole match and having to negotiate a whopping 11 minutes of added time.

The students duly pressurised the Seasiders in the closing stages but Lyme held firm to take the three points.

Simier told the Bridport & Lyme Regis News: “I am chuffed, absolutely. We had a few injuries and a lot of players missing.

“We stepped up to the plate and showed good heart against a very good uni team, it was tough for us.

“The challenge was to find rhythm as much as possible, make sure we get on top of them, but we didn’t.

“We struggled first half, a team who hadn’t played much. On and off the ball we were just slow.

“In the second half we were more physical and had more positivity going forward. We managed to score early and that was the trick.”

Lyme visit Clyst Valley in the league on Saturday (3pm).

Fellingham is unavailable but Mark Bailey, Callum Garrett and Haydn Lewis return.

Lyme: Meech, Fellingham, Beer, Knight, R Fowler, A Rowe, Turner, Parsons, Thomson (Blackmore), B Rowe, C Fowler (Rendell).