LAPFORD 2

LYME REGIS 1

LYME Regis were left to ponder what might have been after a 2-1 East Devon Senior Cup loss at Lapford.

It means Lapford have booked a quarter-final place against Crediton Reserves.

Lapford came into the game with an unbeaten record in the Devon & Exeter League Premier Division, having won the coronavirus-shortened campaign last season.

But they were given a strong test by the Seasiders in fierce wind, which played havoc with Lyme’s playing style.

Chris Burrow went through one-on-one but saw the wind blow his shot off target for Lapford before the hosts, kicking up the slope, took the lead.

READ MORE: Lyme Regis 3-2 Okehampton Argyle Seconds - match report

Fred Parsons, so often Lyme’s saviour this season, could not be blamed as the elements intervened in what should have been a simple clearance.

He attempted to head away a corner, only for a sizeable gust to force the ball into a different trajectory, hitting Parsons goalside and bouncing in for an unlucky own goal.

Joe Bond saw two notable chances go begging for Lyme, with home keeper Matt Parsell in fine form.

Lyme pressured Lapford for long spells in this closely-fought contest but fell 2-0 behind when sub Roger Hill converted a cross with his first touch of the game.

Bond did pull a goal back when he pounced on a Parsell parry to score but his reward was just a consolation as Lyme’s last realistic chance of silverware slipped away.

Post-match, Lyme boss Julien Simier said: “I think we gave them a very good game.

“It was, for us, made a bit more difficult by the weather. The gale-force crosswind was cancelling any opportunity for playing football.

“The ball was going up in the air and moving from the left-hand side to the right by 20, 25 metres.

“But it was for both teams. It did work in their favour because they were more physical and scrapping for everything.

“We fought until the end. Not putting us on a pedestal but I thought we were the better team and deserved a bit more.

“Sometimes you can try, try, try and it doesn’t go your way – it was one of them.”

Lyme now turn their attentions to a league home game with Kentisbeare.

Simier added: “They’ve had some good results and improved a lot compared to last year.

“We’re aware of what they can do, they’re a really good team. It’s going to be a challenge for us.

“Fingers crossed the pitch is going to be ready, it’s taken a battering the last two weeks with the weather.”

Lyme welcome back Jack Lamb-Wilson and Gary Knight.