Lyme left devastated (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Lyme left devastated

9:27am Wednesday 18th April 2012 in Lyme Regis By Ky Capel

MILBORNE SPORTS 4 Lyme Regis 2 (after extra-time)

ROBIN Townsend and his Lyme Regis charges were left “devastated” by their Dorset Intermediate Cup final defeat – their first loss of the entire season.

The Seasiders took the lead at the Avenue Stadium through Steve Batey but were reduced to 10 men on the half-hour when Jason Hawker saw red for an alleged elbow on Milborne defender Mark Lambert.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Perry Street Premier Division champions stood firm for much of the match and remained on course to complete a historic quadruple heading into the final 10 minutes.

But Karl Dean and Chris Skinner turned the tables and gave Lyme a mountain to climb in the dying stages.

However, with just seconds remaining, Adam Caddy pounced to take the tie into extra-time.

Carl McClements then limped off for Sports, who regained the lead through Skinner before Lambert received a second yellow.

And with Lyme throwing everyone forward, including the keeper, in a last-ditch attempt to force an equaliser, McClements hobbled back on to shoot into an empty net and secure victory.

Townsend said: “It was a great game for the neutral but not when you’re on the wrong side of the result.

“We could not have done any more to be fair and I’m proud of the lads for the way we fought and battled.

“It’s just a shame individual mistakes cost us – two by our own players and one from the referee.

“I thought he got the decision wrong (sending off Hawker). I can see where he was coming from but it’s a case of someone who clearly has never played the game as there was no malice. If anything it looked more of a free-kick to us.

“The ref doesn’t know the players personally but Jason has not got a malicious bone in his body and he was devastated afterwards. We were all devastated after the game and it’s taken the shine off the whole season.”

Lyme return to league action next Wednesday for their penultimate game of the season – a trip to Ilminster Reserves.