CLYST VALLEY RES 1 LYME REGIS 5

LYME Regis regained second place in Devon & Exeter League Division Three following a comfortable win at Winslade Park Avenue.

A Mark Bailey brace, plus goals for Dom Rowe, Matt Laing and Joe Bond saw the Seasiders go back above Henry’s Cronies after their game against Pinhoe was postponed.

Now six league games unbeaten, Lyme visit Exeter University Fifths this Saturday (2.15pm) to take on a team who have lost just once in their last seven outings.

Last Saturday’s match was won by half-time with Tim Edwards’ men leading 4-1.

They were 2-0 up after two minutes as Rowe and Bailey, who scored straight from a corner, gave the visitors the best possible start.

They could have added a third on 20 minutes but Bond missed from the penalty spot.

Lyme were then awarded a second spot-kick 10 minutes later and Bailey took over penalty taking duties to find the net.

Clyst pulled a goal back, however, Laing converted from close range before the break to restore Lyme’s three-goal advantage.

Bond completed the scoring two minutes into the second half following a fumble by the Clyst keeper.

Things got worse for the home side when they were reduced to 10 men, although Lyme received a blow too as Bailey had to go to hospital to have five stitches in a nasty knee wound.

Lyme had to play the last 20 minutes with 10 men having used all their substitutes.

“Mark is going to be out at least three weeks now,” said Edwards. “He and a Clyst player went to ground early and Mark was caught on the knee cap.

“There was no blame attached to the other player, it was just accidental.

“It’s a blow for us because Rob Felling-ham has gone travelling for a few months and now Mark is injured.

“But Ryan Turner has come in from the reserves and Ben Whittington is back from Australia.”