KENTISBEARE 4 LYME REGIS 6

LYME Regis made a stunning start to their Joma Devon & Exeter League Premier East campaign by beating Kentisbeare 6-4 in a 10-goal thriller.

Danny Rendell scored after five minutes before turning provider for Joe Bond to round the home keeper and net a 2-0 lead.

Kentisbeare pulled a goal back on the break as Chris Hawkins’ shot trickled over the line following a fine attempt at a block from Lyme keeper Chris Higgs.

Another swift counter hauled Kentisbeare level as George Fawell netted past Higgs for 2-2.

Lyme hit the accelerator to move into a healthy 5-2 lead at half-time.

Fred Parsons’ scorching 30-yarder regained the initiative for the Seasiders, before Bond finished off a fine solo run and Brad Rowe tapped in from close range.

Lyme were guilty of switching off again as Kentisbeare threatened to achieve a remarkable comeback, Aiden Horne grabbing a quick brace for 5-4.

Mark Bailey’s men settled into their rhythm once more and Parsons made sure of the win with his second and Lyme’s sixth with 20 minutes left.

Post-match, Seasiders’ boss Bailey said: “It was bizarrely comfortable but the guys were overconfident.

“We started like a house on fire and could’ve been two or three-nil up in the first five minutes.

“It looked like we were going to run away and got caught out twice on the counter.

“We took control at 5-2 at half-time, then they switched off again and conceded two quick, soft goals. We managed to get hold of the game again.

“It was strange, it was great periods of domination but for two two-minute spells we fell apart a bit.”

Lyme tackle rivals Beer Albion away on Saturday (3pm).

Bailey said: “(The players) are pretty fired up, as you can imagine.

“There’s a bit of social media banter flying around between a couple of the lads already.

“They’re quite a verbal side, Beer, so it would be nice to go there and put in a performance.”