THE much-awaited clash between Lyme Regis 1sts and Axminster Town Reserves produced an entertaining game this afternoon (Saturday), watched by the biggest crowd of the season at the Davey Fort.

Neither side have played to their expectations this season in the Devon and Exeter Premier division, struggling on occasions to field sides, but Lyme soon established the lead with a clinical finish in the 10th minute from Fred Parsons.

The in-form midfielder capitalised on the Seasiders' positive start when he made it 2-0 in the 14th minute, beating the Axminster keeper to a through ball and coolly slotting the ball home.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between for the rest of the half. For Lyme, Cam Fowler shot wide after some clever work from Parsons, Mark Bailey fired the ball wide after a corner clearance and the industrious Rikki Sargent, back after injury, was unlucky with a header than rebounded off the post.

Axminster rallied at the start of the second half and player manager Jamie Barfoot came close when his shot skimmed the cross bar just after the Lyme keeper, Chris Higgs, was forced to turn another effort from the Tigers around the post.

As the game progressed Lyme started to take control with three successive corners which saw some stout defending by Axminster. Their situation was not eased, however, by centre-back veteran Garry McCauley being sin-binned after an altercation with the referee.

Lyme rounded off a successful afternoon with a fine volley by Mark Bailey from a glorious Parsons' cross and in the 84th minute Parsons completed his hat-trick and the 4-0 victory with a clinical finish after an impressive move down the right.

This was one of Lyme's best team performances of the season and manager Julien Simier will be pleased how well his side defended. But man-of-the-match has to go yet again to Fred Parson for his superb hat-trick.

Whilst no quarter was given or taken, past encounters between these two sides have been far more feisty. This was the first competitive game between these two neighbouring sides for several years but there will be many more in future if both sides remain in Devon and Exeter Premier division.

The victory sees Lyme move into seventh place whilst Axminster drop to tenth.

Next week  the Seasiders are away to bottom side Ottery St Mary and will be anxious to avenge last week's 4-2 defeat at home. Axminster are away to Dawlish.