LYME Regis Reserves made an early exit from the Dorset Intermediate Cup at the Davey Fort yesterday (Saturday) when they lost 5-1 to a strong and robust Uplwey and Broadway.

Before the Lyme club moved into senior football in the Devon & Exeter League, they won the Dorset Intermediate Cup no fewer that nine occasions.

Withe the first team now elevated to the Dorset Senior Cup, Lyme Reserves compete for the Intermediate Cup and come up against sides playing at a higher level.

Upwey and Broadway are in sixth place in Dorset Division One and made it clear from the kick-out that they were not intimated by Lyme's past successes in the competition.

With no first team game due to Covid-19 scares at the University of Exeter, the Reserves fielded a strong side which included a number of first teamers.

The visitors pressed hard from the kick-off and won all of the early battles in mid-field. They took the lead in the eighth minute after some sloppy defending from a throw-in.

Lyme were back on terms in the 14th minute when Jonny Davies slotted the ball home after a penetrating through ball from Tyler Wellman.

The action was fast and furious with the referee handing handing out warnings to both sides for some wayward tackles.

Upwey regained the lead when Josh Rawlins failed to clear a difficult high ball into the box which allowed an attacker to nip and and nod the ball home with keeper Rob Harp stranded.

That's how it stayed until half-time. Lyme came out strongly after the break and put Upwey under pressure as they pushed for the equaliser. Ricky Sergeant had a good one-on-one chance but the keeper just nipped the ball from his feet and new signing Brad Marsden shot wide from a good position and was unlucky with a glancing header than skimmed past the post. A fierce shot from Tyler Wellman was parried by the Upwey keeper but no one was following in.

Passage to the second round was effectively assured when Upwey were awarded a penalty on 70 minutes for handball. Rob Harp saved the spot kick but was unable to prevent the rebound being smashed home to make it 3-1.

Lyme had to desperately defend as the Weymouth side looked to increase their lead and Kingsley Wellman was sin-binned for abusing the referee.

Brad Rowe tested the Upwey defence with a clever dribble into the box which petered out .

The final ten minutes were dominated by Upwey as when they completed the 5-1 scoreline with two goals in the last five minutes.

After the game, manager Nick Tregale commented: "They were a good strong side and well organised. It was disappointing we gave them the first two goals with poor play and that there was no following up from the penalty which our keeper saved. Alex Rowe and Jon Davies stood out fop us for their work rate in midfield."

Squad: Rob Hart, Kingsley Wellman, Wally Blackmore, Alfie Jacques, Matt Preie, Tyler Wellman, Cam Fowler, Alex Rowe, Brin Seward, Brad Rowe, Jon Davies. Subs: Ricky Sergeant, Fred Parsons, Josh Rawlins, Brad Marsden.

Next Saturday (October 17th) Lyme Reserves are back in league action at home to Exmouth Rovers in Devon & Exeter Division One East (kick-off 3 pm).

Lyme firsts, who were without a game on Saturday, are away to Colyton (kick-off 3 pm).