Seasiders and Fisherman in end-of-season well contested 1-1 draw
By Philip Evans
21st Apr 2022 | Football
Lyme Regis Football Club's quest for a top-four place in the Devon and Exeter Premier division stayed track at the Davey Fort on Wednesday evening.
Lyme welcomed old rivals Beer Albion to the Fort and there was little between the two adversaries in an evenly contested 1-1 battle watched by around 150 spectators, including a large contingent from Beer.
This was Beer's last game of the season and the point was enough to see them finish in third place and a possible move to the Devon League next season. For Lyme it was more about pride than points.
The Seasiders got off to a poor start to the season, losing six games early on, but they have put together an impressive run of results in recent weeks. If they win their last two games they could well sneak into fourth place.
Lyme beat the Fishermen 4-3 at their Furzebrake ground a few weeks back and went into this game confident they could do the double.
Beer and Lyme both fielded below strength sides. The visitors were without a number of first-teamers including goalkeeper Elliott Driver, centre-back Jack Harwood and top scorer Giles Basson. The Seasiders were missing a couple of regulars and drafted in two youngsters - front-runner Josh Daines and full-back Josh Rawlins. They both gave a good account of themselves, especially Rawlins who got the LymeOnline man-of-the –match award.
In-form keeper Chris Higgs was also missing from the squad due to a shoulder injury. His place was taken by Reserve team glove man Will Meech who has missed most of the season through injury but was faultless between the sticks bringing off a great diving save in the first half with the score at 0-0.
Beer started strongly hitting the post twice in the first five minutes and were the better side in the first half. Lyme came more into the game towards half-time but only had one real scoring chance when a Josh Daines short brought a brilliant save by the visiting keeper.
But it was a different story in the second half with Lyme dominating throughout.
Daines had a couple of near misses when he just failed to connect with two brilliant crosses from Robbie Fellingham.
The Seasiders goal came from Fred Parsons with a well-placed header in the 72nd minute. It looked as though they could hang on to that lead to complete the double over Beer but the Fishermen snatched an equaliser in the 87th minute with a toe-poke byLiam Cox in a goalmouth scramble.
Beer centre-back Joe Adkin was in commanding form keeping the Lyme top scorer Joe Bond on a very short lease throughout the game.
Lyme now go to Elmore on Saturday in the knowledge they must win this game and their last match of the season against Colyton on April 30 for a chance of fourth place.
In another Devon and Exeter Premier game played last evening, Axminster Town Reserves were trounced 7-0 by league leaders and champions-in-waiting Lapford.
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