LYME REGIS 3 LYMPSTONE 2

LYME Regis progressed to the next round of the East Devon Senior Cup after a dramatic late 3-2 win over Lympstone at Davey Fort.

Victory ensured Lyme’s scorching start to the season continued – Gerard Hitchcock’s men have now won all six games.

A physically imposing Lympstone, who fielded several ex-Marines in their side – including a handful well over six-foot, were bizarrely undone by Lyme’s diminutive full-back Cody Bowditch for the opening goal.

Right-back Craig Every swung in a cross and Bowditch reacted smartly to nip in between the giant centre-backs and nod past the visiting goalkeeper on 10 minutes.

Seasiders’ keeper Will Meech was then involved in a mix-up for Lympstone’s equaliser, calling “away” but then deciding to claim a set-piece in a crowded area.

Meech got caught in limbo and was unable to save a glanced header which drifted into the net.

Lyme pressed aggressively for a second goal, creating numerous opportunities, but were unable to find their shooting boots – striker Joe Bond missing four chances and Ben Turner a further two.

Bowditch also passed up another couple of half-chances as Lyme were forced to settle for a 1-1 scoreline at half-time.

Bond finally got on the scoresheet in the second half when Turner latched onto a ball over the top and cut the ball back for Bond to instinctively direct the cross beyond Lympstone’s gloveman.

Lympstone’s fighting spirit shone through, none more so than ex-heavyweight boxer Damien Cowell, who charged into the box to power a header home from a corner for 2-2.

Lyme feared extra-time despite the good work of substitute Daley Holmes, whose flick-on released Bond to set-up sub Nathan Womersley only for his shot to fizz wide of the woodwork.

Late drama was still to unfold as Cowell nodded a Lyme corner into his own net in stoppage-time.

Gutsy Lympstone gallantly pressed for an equaliser in a thrilling finish, Meech saving superbly at point-blank range from a set-play before Kingsley Wellman headed the follow-up off the line as Lyme held on.

Lyme: Meech, Bowditch, Rocket, Wellman, Every (Knight 80), Turner, Parsons, Bailey, Jones (Womersley 65), Vine (Holmes 65), Bond.