IT might be too soon to talk about potential champions with the season only three games old.

But Lyme Regis first team demonstrated that they could be among those bidding for the Devon and Exeter League Premier title if they can maintain the form they showed on Saturday with a scintillating 5-0 victory over Kentisbeare.

True, Kentisbeare are not the side that pipped them to fourth place in the Premier division last season. Like many other clubs, including Lyme, they have found it difficult to recruit players following the inconvenience of the past two COVID years.

But this was a performance from Julien Simier's men that lifted spirits at the Davey Fort after a stuttering start to the season that saw them beaten 3-0 by near neighbours Colyton and then take a point off Clyst Valley, one of the favourites for the title, having rejoined the Devon and Exeter family after playing in the Devon League.

Lyme started briskly and in their first attack Kentsibeare were forced into a goal-line clearance in the fourth minute.

It was the in-form Fred Parsons who started the goal feast in the sixth minute when his pin-pointed shot from outside the box left the visiting keeper sprawling.

Josh Daines also had a half chance when a long throw-in from Parsons bounced awkwardly for him in front of goal.

Lyme started putting some good inter-passing together with Cally Garrett dictating the midfield action.

The Seasiders had the chances to increase their lead in the 34th minute when Brad Rowe fired a dangerous Cam Fowler cross over the bar from close range.

Rowe more than made up for it a few minutes left when a glorious shot from 40 yards on the left flank scorched into the top corner of the net. When it comes to deciding goal of the season, this effort will surely be top of the list?

Lyme's 2-0 half-time lead was protected just after the re-start when keeper Chris Higgs made two point-blank saves from close range as Kentisbeare worked hard to get back into the game.

Rowe had the chance to make it 3-0 when he latched on to a perfect through-ball from Garrett but in a one-on-one with the keeper the Kentisbeare glove man just managed to pinch the ball from his feet.

Nursing an injury, Garrett received much deserved applause as he left the field from the Ken "Cooly" Hitchcock stand, to be placed by Mark Bailey, one f Lyme's most creative and loyal players.

Bailey was soon into the action and some delightful one-two football between him and Parsons resulted in an own goal by a Kentisbeare defender to make it 3-0.

In the 71st minute the lead was extended to 4-0 from a perfectly placed penalty by Robbie Fellingham after the ever-dangerous Rowe was brought down in the box.

And it was Fellingham who crowned a good performance with the fifth, a sweet drive from a Parsons cross.

There were several contenders for the Lyme man-of-the-match with Rowe, Fellingham and centre-back Gary Knight all being in with a shout. In the end, however it went to Callum Garrett for an outstanding performance in midfield.