LYME Regis first team fielded a changed 11 with several players missing, as well as manager Julien Simier, for their away trio to Devon and Exeter Premier division bottom club Okehampton Argyle.
Kev Turner took over managerial duties and changed the shape into a diamond midfield and two upfront, Jack Lamb-Wilson coming in to the midfield in the absence of Fred Parsons.
In surprisingly hot conditions, the first half was closely contested. Lyme had the vast majority of the ball, patiently moving it around with some good link-up play involving Lamb-Wilson, Callum Garrett and Mark Bailey.
But they couldn't quite find the breakthrough despite the hard work of Joe Bond and Dan Rendell up front.
The closest the Seasiders came was a rasping strike from Rendell outside of the box that was well held by the opposition keeper. Rikki Sargent came close with a near-post header from a Robbie Fellingham corner. Chris Higgs made another fantastic save when Okehampton had a rare foray forwards, getting down superbly and saving to his right in a one-on-one with the striker.
The second half Okehampton succumbed to a surprising amount of injuries – soon falling down to 10 men. Lyme capitalised shortly after half-time, Joe Bond turning on a sixpence in the box and firing in to the top left corner with his weaker left foot after some lovely build-up play on the right involving Alex Rowe and Bailey.
From then in it was all Lyme, playing attractive football and using their numerical advantage to move the ball from left to right. The second goal came shortly after when substitute Josh Daines tucked home in the 70th minute, burying it well after a Joe Bond strike was blocked in the box.
In truth Lyme could have and should have scored a good few more, but they were pleased to keep a clean sheet and a convincing performance away from home which keeps them on target for a top five place in the league.
Man-of-the-match went to Alex Rowe for a superb performance at right back.
The Seasiders meet high-flying Beer Albion at the Davey Fort this evening (kick-off 6.30 pm) and will be going all out to do the double over The Fishermen, having beaten them 4-3 at Furzebrake earlier this season. On Saturday they travel to Elmore 2nds and complete their fixtures on April 30 with an away game at near rivals Colyton.
If the Seasiders get maximum points from their last three games they could sneak fourth place in the table.
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