LYME REGIS 7 EXMOUTH AMATEURS RES 0

TIM Edwards sang the praises of his young stars after the Seasiders thrashed Exmouth Amateurs Reserves at Davey Fort.

Lyme included three 16-year-olds – Declan Ellis, Callum Larcombe and Alfie Bellworthy – in their starting line-up, and all contributed to the team’s impressive victory.

Ellis netted twice in the second half to put the seal on Lyme’s fifth success of the campaign in Devon & Exeter League Division Three.

Meanwhile, centre-half Bellworthy and left-back Larcombe were part of a defence that kept a third clean sheet of the season in league and cup.

“We’ve got a couple of young lads that came through from the youth team that won a league and cup double last season,” said Edwards.

“Declan scored two goals on Saturday, the second of which was a brilliant volley from 25 yards.

“Alfie and Callum were both in the back four and also did really well.”

However, Edwards will exercise a degree of caution when introducing more youngsters to men’s football.

He added: “I don’t want to put too many in the team at the same time.

“It is their first year in men’s football and some of the older heads in other teams could make it very difficult for them.”

Lyme led 4-0 midway through their clash with the Amateurs – Mark Bailey and Joe Bond scored twice to put the game out of the visitors’ reach. Rob Fellingham added a fifth just after the interval before Ellis completed the rout.

The game also saw ex-Axminster and Chard centre-back Gary Knight come off the bench to make his Lyme debut.

The Seasiders, still second in the table, host Thorverton Reserves this Saturday (3pm), with Matt Laing due to return after missing the last match.

However, Joel Gostling is out for a couple of weeks with an Achilles injury.

  • Lyme’s reserves go to South Petherton in the Coronation Cup and Lyme Bantams entertain Barrington in the Perry Street League Division One Cup (both 2pm).