By Martin Rowe

LYME Regis 1sts took on Exeter University 2nds on Saturday and struggled for most of the first half against a team that were very comfortable on the ball.

 The students played out from the back and continually stretched the Seasiders and it was no surprise when they took the lead. The goal came midway through the first half from a long ball which caught the Lyme defence by surprise, and suddenly the students' right winger was clear and he laid the ball back for a easy finish. Lyme responded to the goal and had good chances to get a undeserved equaliser.

 Lyme changed their formation in the second half with captain Rob Fellingham moving into midfield. The Seasiders were a different team in the second half with centre forward Brad Rowe leading the line superbly and it was Rowe who got the equaliser with a bullet-like shot from 20 yards.

 This spurred on Lyme and the large crowd and the second goal came from a Fred Thompson corner to the far post which saw the hard working Ben Turner bundle the ball home .

 Lyme were not finished and had the momentum and the third goal came from a Rob Fellingham free-kick which he whipped in which the keeper couldn't hold and Robbie Fowler was on hand to poke the ball home.

 Fowler has been playing well for the Reserves and he along with his fellow teammate Fred Thomson were called up due to injuries and both gave a good account of themselves.

 Lyme thought they had made it 4-1 when Brad Rowe finished well, but the offside flag was up. The Uni lads were not finished and it made it a nervous end to the game with a excellent shot from the edge of the area to make it 3-2.

 Lyme's faithful supporters' nerves were pushed to the limit as the ref played 10 minutes of injury time with the students pushing hard with waves of attacks.

 Lyme held on for a deserved victory based on their second half performance in front of the largest crowd of the season. It was a great game and a fine team performance with Brad Rowe taking the man-of-the match honours.