31/08/2026
MATCH REPORT
Farway United 2–6 Lyme Regis Reserves 🌊⚽️
Lyme Regis Reserves got their league campaign off to the perfect start with an impressive 6–2 away victory at Farway United.
Lyme travelled with a much-changed 15-man squad, with around seven players unavailable and several stepping up from last season's Rovers side. The youthful nature of the squad was particularly notable, with two 18-year-olds, four 17-year-olds and two 16-year-olds involved — meaning more than half the squad were aged 18 or under, alongside some valuable experience.
The game started fairly evenly, with Farway settling slightly quicker. Lyme showed a few early nerves on the ball but still created several promising openings.
It was Farway who struck first, somewhat against the run of play, with a superb effort from distance finding its way in off the post.
It proved to be exactly the wake-up call Lyme needed. Just three minutes later Alex Burrough was brought down inside the area and Steve Batey calmly converted the resulting penalty to make it 1–1.
From that moment Lyme really started to play. The passing became sharper, some excellent one-touch football began causing Farway problems and Lyme looked particularly dangerous when getting the ball into wide areas.
Sam Merigaux was a constant threat from the left, while Burrough caused plenty of problems on the opposite flank. Batey and Ali Kamara linked the play well through the middle as Lyme began to take control, with Merigaux putting Lyme ahead before half-time to complete the turnaround.
In midfield, Aidan McLellan was composed on the ball and excellent at finding space and time, regularly giving Lyme an option and helping them play through midfield. Alongside him, captain Jon Davies broke up Farway attacks before getting Lyme moving again with simple, intelligent passing.
Lyme came out after the break determined to build on their lead. A dangerous free-kick resulted in Lyme extending their advantage before Merigaux continued to torment the Farway defence, eventually completing an excellent hat-trick. On another afternoon he could easily have had more.
Farway managed to pull another goal back, but Lyme responded well and continued creating chances, adding two further goals to put the result beyond doubt.
At the back, Dec Ellis was composed at centre-half, calm in possession and making several excellent challenges. Alfred Tomlinson partnered him well, defending solidly and producing some useful cross-field passes.
Bill Jones, making his first Reserves start at right-back, settled into the position extremely well and linked effectively with Burrough, while Charlie West produced a solid and dependable performance at left-back.
Goalkeeper Charlie Morgan had relatively little to do for long periods but remained alert, reading the game well and sweeping up effectively behind the defence.
Further forward, Ali Kamara worked tirelessly and was unlucky not to get the goal his performance deserved, linking particularly well with the wingers. Steve Batey contributed far more than his penalty with some excellent hold-up and link-up play, while Alex Burrough once again produced a consistently strong performance, causing Farway problems throughout.
The strength of Lyme's squad was also evident from the bench. Archie Parris produced a solid performance at left-back on his Reserves debut, Robson Dare added plenty of battle in central midfield and kept things simple, while Bogdan Tudor slotted comfortably into right-back and linked well with Burrough. Andrew Dare was strong at centre-half, winning everything in the air and remaining calm on the ball.
⭐ MAN OF THE MATCH
Man of the Match was a tough one to call. Sam Merigaux deserves huge credit for a superb hat-trick, while Alex Burrough produced a brilliant performance on the right wing and constantly caused Farway problems.
But MOM goes to Aidan McLellan, who was excellent in the centre of midfield. Composed and assured on the ball, he continually found space and time and helped Lyme control the midfield with a really accomplished performance. 👏
By the final whistle Lyme had six and, in truth, could have had more. The most pleasing aspect was the response to falling behind; once Lyme settled, they played some excellent football and caused Farway problems all over the pitch.
With so many players unavailable and such a young squad, a 6–2 victory was a hugely encouraging way to begin the season.
It's only one game and there is plenty still to work on, but plenty of positives to take into the season ahead. 🌊⚽️
