LYME REGIS 6

CHAGFORD 0

LYME Regis pummelled Chagford 6-0 at Davey Fort on the opening day of the Macron Devon & Exeter League Premier Division season.

Gerard Hitchcock’s men were good value for a win that saw Joe Bond net four goals in addition to a Ben Vine brace.

Gerard Hitchcock’s men were good value for a win that saw Joe Bond net four goals in addition to a Ben Vine brace.

Bond put Lyme 1-0 up after good work from Fred Parsons who played a one-two before slotting the ball across the six-yard box for the lurking Bond to slam home.

Parsons was integral to the Seasiders’ second goal as the midfielder chipped over the top for Bond to beat the offside trap and coolly beat the Chagford keeper before half-time.

Chagford came out a determined side in the second half, showing positive intent to gain a foothold in the game, but eventually their energy dwindled and Lyme capitalised.

A throw-in found the influential Parsons in the penalty area and a clumsy tackle from behind left the referee with no alternative but to award a penalty which Bond drilled home for his hat-trick.

Chagford were now deflated and Lyme’s spectacular fourth saw Vine cut in from the right and rifle a left-footed shot into the far corner.

Vine added his second with a close-range finish having lobbed the onrushing keeper from a Gary Knight ball over the top.

And Bond added gloss to the scoreline, heading sub Brad Rowe’s cross back across goal for number six.

Seasiders’ manager Hitchcock was understandably delighted but paid credit to the hard-working Chagford.

He said: “They were a strong side for 50, 60 minutes, a lot of huff and puff, but there was not a lot of cutting edge to it.

“We were 2-0 up at half-time and were the more clinical right from the off. They’re a big unit, a lot of lads six-foot plus but by the time it got to 60, 65 (minutes) they were dead on their feet.

“The penalty finished them off, but it was a good display. There’s more to come from us and I think we’ll get better as the season goes on, hopefully. I do think it’s within the locker to do that.

“You can’t argue with 6-0, it’s a good start to the season.”

On Bond’s display, Hitchcock added: “With Joe he could’ve had 10 if he scored all his chances.

“He missed his first three, but if you’re a defender you don’t want to play against him because he’s full of running.

“He chases lost causes and is a complete pain, he’ll never give you a minute’s peace. He got his rewards in the end for all the hard work.”

Lyme: Bond, Bowditch, Cleal, Fellingham, G Knight, Parsons, Rocket, Turner, Vine, Wellman, Womersley. Subs: Bailey, M Knight, Rowe