FARWAY UNITED 2 Lyme Regis 4

KARL Diment reckons Lyme Regis will face stiff competition this season in their pursuit of a second successive Perry Street League Premier Division title.

The former South Petherton boss has taken over the reins at Davy Fort from Robin Townsend and knows he has hit work cut out to equal the achievements of his predecessor.

Speaking after Lyme’s opening day victory at Farway United, Diment said: “Robin did an excellent job during his time here and is an excellent manager, and I knew when I took over here that I had big shoes to fill.

“The success this team had last season was exceptional and to even equal that this year is going to be tough.

“A few players have moved on but we are still strong and I am hopeful the club can enjoy another excellent campaign.

“Having said that, I do think the race for the Premier Division title this year will be very close.

“There are several teams in with a shout of winning it and there are going to be some tough games.

“For those reasons alone I cannot see anyone running away with it like Lyme did last season.”

Farway held the lead twice against Lyme and it was not until Jack Lamb-Wilson made it 2-2 on 78 minutes that the visitors eventually took control.

Diment added: “Farway put up a good fight. They were first to the ball and they wanted it more, but it was our first game and to come away with a win gives us something to build on.

“Their first goal looked offside to me but we got back level through skipper Adam Caddy before they then regained the lead through a penalty just before half-time.

“We then switched things around a bit in the second half with new-signing Dan Rudge (ex-West & Middle Chinnock) coming on in the midfield and the game changed.

“Jack finally levelled before Dan grabbed two in the last six minutes to eventually give us the points.”

Lyme’s next game will see them travel to early pacesetters Beaminster on Saturday (2.30pm).