INrecent past seasons, Lyme Regis first team's defence was always the rock on which the Seasiders built their rise to Premier football in the Devon and Exeter League and numerous cup successes in Dorset.

This season, however, the Lyme back four have had more leaks than Lisa's bucket and a Conservative government put together.

Last Saturday was no exception. Leading 3-2 with five minutes to go against Corfe in the first round of the Dorset Senior Cup, the Seasiders capitulated once more and conceded two late goals to lose 4-3.

A couple of weeks ago, Lyme gave away three goals in the last two minutes against Thorverton, finally losing 4-3 before an astonished crowd. In that week's match report I recorded that the players were angry to have chucked away three goals, saying : "That's good because it means they care."

But like many clubs in local football, the commitment of players is nowhere near the level it used to be before the COVIDlockdowns. Several teams have withdrawn from the local leagues.

Lyme has around 70 players signed on, more than enough to run three senior teams. But last Saturday they found it difficult raising 22 players for the first team and Reserves. The third X1, the Rovers, did not have a game. COVID install taking its toll.

Lyme are not alone in dealing with what is rapidly becoming a crisis. Many local teams are in the same boat, some of them sinking fast.

The frustrating point about Lyme's situation to date - they are seventh in the Devon and Exeter Premier division with 11 points from nine games - is that they have played some brilliant football, especially against some of the top teams, taking points off the likes of Lapford. who are looking like favourites for the Premiership title.

Saturday's away tie with Corfe was a classic example. Although not fielding their strongest side, with club secretary Rob Thom coming out of retirement to sit on the sub's bench, they dominated large parts of the game and had a number of scoring chances.

It was a pretty even start but as the game wore on Lyme grew stronger and in the 20th minute got their noses infront. Cally Garrett crossed for Dan Rendall who got clattered as he set himself to slot home and a penalty was given. Rob Fellingham blasted the resulting spot kick into the top corner giving the keeper no chance.

On 45 minutes Corfe were given a dubious penalty as the ball seemed to strike Tom Kilcoyne in the stomach. But the referee thought otherwise and the home side duly converted, leaving the score at 1-1 at half-time.

On the 60th minute the Seasiders conceded a second from a quick counter attack but this prompted a Lyme rally and they equalised within minutes. Gary Knight got on the end of a long Rikki Sargent throw to flick home. Corfe looked ready to fold and Lyme took the lead deservedly as Harvey Brimicombe bundled home a Mark Bailey free-kick.

The next ten minutess the home keeper saved superbly from another Bailey free-kick, a one-on-one with Brimicombe and Rikki Sargent and another Bailey drive was parried to Robbie Fellingham to tap home only to be ruled out by the linesman flag.

Lyme were rampant at this point but on 80 minutes conceded a soft free-kick which was flicked on at the front post and finished with a close range header to make 3-3.

On 85 minutes worse was to come for Lyme as Corfe took the lead countering quickly from a Lyme corner.

Lyme were left scratching their heads as to how they had lost but as Bailey, who stood in for manager Julien Simier, said: "It's becoming an unwelcome habit."

Squad: Rob Harp; Kingsley Wellman, Ben Turner, Gary Knight; Tom Kilcoyne, Rikki Sargent, Rob Fellingham, Callum Garrett; Mark Bailey, Harvey Brimicombe, Danny Rendall. Subs not used Stef Taylor, Zak Harrison, Rob Thom.

This coming Saturday the Seasiders return to league duty with an away game at fifth placed Kentsbeare where a clean sheet will be the order of the day.