Football: Lyme lack creativity in loss to university

LYME boss Tim Edwards felt his side missed the creativity of midfield duo Rob Fellingham and Mark Bailey as they slipped to only their third league defeat of the season.

With Fellingham away travelling and Bailey out injured, the Seasiders lacked the cutting edge they needed to see off an improving Exeter outfit.

The two sides were locked together at 0-0 with 15 minutes left, however, a Lyme error allowed the hosts to take the lead before a 35-yard wonder strike saw them double their advantage.

Joe Bond halved the deficit late on, finishing off a Bradley Rowe through ball, but the Seasiders couldn’t find a second to rescue a point.

“We didn’t play very well at all,” said Edwards. “Without Mark and Rob in midfield we seem to have lost all our creativity.

“We failed to create anything going forward and didn’t deserve to win the game, though at the same time I didn’t think we deserved to lose it.

“Being a university side they had quite a young team and were quick on the break.

“They had a couple of one-on-ones with Chris Higgs and should have scored.

“We made a few mistakes at the back in the second half and were always chasing the game.”

Lyme’s defeat sees them drop to third in the Devon & Exeter League Division Three table with a trip to Axminster Town Reserves coming next this Saturday (2.15pm).

Elsewhere, Lyme’s reserves entertain West & Middle Chinnock in the Perry Street Premier Division, Beaminster go to Combe Reserves, and Lyme Bantams host Winsham in Division One (all 2pm).