LYME Regis boss Gerard Hitchcock is looking to “put to bed” two successive losses ahead of a Macron Devon & Exeter League Premier Division derby against Sidmouth Town Seconds at Davey Fort on Saturday (3pm).
Hitchcock’s men have lost 2-1 and 4-3 to Whipton & Pinhoe and Upottery respectively after a stunning start of six straight wins.
Hitchcock said: “Hopefully we get a positive result from it and put to bed what’s gone on the last couple of weeks.
“It’s more the performance because it’s gone a little bit flat. Whether it’s the start which made them feel invincible, I don’t know.
“It’s getting back to basics defending – we shouldn’t be conceding the goals we’ve been conceding.”
Lyme had sustained a second disappointing defeat in two games as Upottery claimed a 4-3 victory at Davey Fort.
The Seasiders had been below-par last time out in their 2-1 defeat to Whipton and Pinhoe but did not heed the warnings from that display as the Otters raced clear.
Fred Parsons saw a shot cleared off the line but Lyme went behind in the 41st minute when a free-kick given against Kingsley Wellman provoked bad defending from the hosts.
As the set-piece came in, Lyme failed to track the runner and Upottery headed themselves into a 1-0 half-time lead.
A slightly improved showing from Lyme forced the hosts into an equaliser – largely through the good work of Ben Vine whose run, jink inside and unstoppable shot made it 1-1 on the hour.
Parity lasted just four minutes as another set-piece proved Lyme’s undoing. This time a free-kick was clipped in and headed home by an unmarked Upottery forward from six yards.
The Otters went 3-1 up when a simple ball from the byline was slammed home. A fourth followed when Upottery launched a free-kick into the Lyme wall before rifling home the rebound.
Vine was on hand to cross for Parsons, who headed in for 4-2 late in normal time, while Bradley Rowe finished off incisive work from Ben Turner for 4-3.
However, it was too late to mount a comeback as a brace for Thomas Edwards plus goals from Benjamin Graddon and Tom Barnes handed them all three points.
Speaking after the loss, Lyme boss Gerard Hitchcock said: “It looks like we’ve got a bit of an Achilles heel in terms of set-plays. That’s where seven of the last eight goals have come from.
“All four (against Upottery) were down to set-plays and they deserved their victory. We didn’t play that well but our defending was abysmal.
“They had two free headers from within the six-yard box which shouldn’t happen. It was just poor.”
Lyme: Bailey (Womersley 65), Bowditch, Every (Land 80), Fellingham, Garner, Parsons, Rocket, Rowe, Turner, Vine, Wellman.
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