Seasiders finish season in fifth place in Premier

By Philip Evans

6th May 2022 | Football


Seasiders finish their seasoning mid-table
Seasiders finish their seasoning mid-table

LYME Regis Football Club complete their fixtures tomorrow (Saturday) when the Reserves play their last game of the season at home to Exeter United, who are bottom of the Devon and Exeter League Division Three (kick-off 3pm).

If they win, the Ressies, managed this season by Matt Preece, will finish in eighth place in the table, an acceptable outcome considering the difficulties of fielding sides at the beginning of the season when COVID was still playing havoc with the fixture lists.

The Reserves picked up a useful point at the Davey Fort on Bank Holiday Monday in a 1-1 draw against Exeter University, their goal coming from Jake Sargent who rifled home after an excellent through ball from Fred Thompson.

Lyme were kept in the game by two brilliant and brave saves within seconds of each other by keeper Rob Harp who limped off later with a hamstring problem to be replaced by the ever-reliable Robbie Fowler.

The first team completed their fixtures with a typical dour, end-of-season 1-1 tussle at Colyton to finish in fifth place in the Devon and Exeter Premier table. After going 1-0 down to their East Devon opponents, Ben Turner levelled the scores with a well placed header.

The Seasiders had a good chance early in the first half but striker Joe Bond failed to convert. He, too, limped off with grown injury, to be replaced by promising youngster Josh Daines.

Although Lyme dominated the first half, Colyton had the better of the chances in the second period and keeper Chris Higgs ensured Lyme took home a point when he grabbed the ball off the line in a goalmouth scramble in the very last minute.

So the Seasiders complete another season without any silverware, but that's the penalty they pay of playing in a higher standard in Devon and Exeter football rather than in in the Perry Street League in which Lyme enjoyed many cup successes.

Lyme manager Julien Simier will be satisfied with with fifth spot after his side got off to a poor start, losing six games in the first half of the season. He was encouraged by good performances against the Premier front-runners, especially champions Lapford and third-placed Beer Albion, which augers well next season if he can retain his squad.

The biggest disappointment for the Lyme club was having to withdraw their third X1, the Rovers, from the Perry Street League due to difficulties in fielding three sides every week, despite the fact they had 70 signed on at the beginning of the season.

Just over the Devon border, Uplyme 1sts joined the Devon and Exeter League for the first time and enjoyed a brilliant season in Division Six, finishing with a 5-3 victory over Bickleigh to clinch second place and promotion. The young Swallows were impressive throughout the campaign.

Team of the season had to be the reformed Charmouth who lifted theTommy Tabberer Cup and won promotion from Perry Street League Division Three.

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