BRIDPORT FOOTBALL: "Playing with our heads"

Having struggled in November and December where bad weather interrupted the fixtures and Bridport lost the four games they played over that eight week period, they have been transformed since normal service resumed, winning five of the six games played.

The former Reading striker has had plenty of good things to say about his side of late, and last week’s 1-0 victory at Portishead saw him commending his players for another facet of their game.

“It was an excellent result in very difficult and trying conditions and under the circumstances it was the best all round performance I have seen since I became manager.

“They worked hard, and with all the injuries and problems we had, I was absolutely delighted with their performance on a big, heavy pitch.

“We are playing much more with our head now. Before whilst we were playing good football we were a bit gung-ho and lost our shape. We were getting caught on the break, but now the team is strong defensively as a team and I can’t praise them enough for how well they are performing now.

“We have kept four clean sheets in the last six games and even with all the disruptions of injuries we still deserved to win.

“Chris Clarke literally limped through the match. He pulled a thigh stretching for a ball early on and couldn’t run or kick the ball properly, whilst Jamie Fry didn’t put a foot wrong in goal and made one outstanding save. 

“We defended really well, and are looking much more solid at the back, and that has been the difference over the last few games.”

It would appear that Clarke as well as Alan Hill would miss last nights match at Shepton Mallett.

“Alan was injured as the result of a very heavy tackle which I though was a bit over the top. His leg was put in plaster after the match. It looks like either a fracture of the ankle or that some bone has flaked off, and he is due to see the specialist next week .It’s a shame for the lad because he has stepped up and adapted from Dorset football and done a really good job.”

Senior will however have Sam Charles, loaned from Dorchester Town to get match fitness, available to make his debut for the Bees. Whilst Jamie Fry has done a sterling job in goal, Senior confirmed that Lee Cleal was returning to the club. 

The former Lyme Regis midfielder come keeper, left earlier in the season but contacted Senior over the weekend  about returning and was due to play at Shepton, although the game was in doubt due to  a waterlogged pitch.

Senior is also hopeful of adding another player to the squad. He was coy about naming the player until paperwork formalities are completed later this week except to say he is a left sided midfielder.

 .ff