Bees have more to give

8:28am Friday 5th September 2008

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BRIDPORT player-boss Ian Hutchinson is confident that there is still plenty of room for improvement despite his side having claimed three wins from their last four games.

The former Weymouth midfielder is delighted with the progress his men are making and believes they have nothing to fear ahead of tomorrow's FA Vase Preliminary Round clash with Brislington.

The Bees won 3-0 at Gillingham Town last Saturday to progress through to the first qualifying round of the FA Cup and Hutchinson is hopeful the good form will continue.

He said: "The team are in good spirits and it is up to me and Andy Mason to help lift them. They are a smashing bunch of lads who are all pulling in the right direction, so we have high hopes for them. We are striving all the time for the improvement that they are capable of."

Although Bridport were drawn out as the home side the tie will be played at Ironmould Lane due to the ongoing building development at St Mary's Field.

Brislington currently sit in mid-table in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division, which is one step above the Bees, but they have only claimed five points from their opening five games and sit just above Barnstaple Town on goal difference.

Bridport defeated Barnstaple 2-1 in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on August 16 so hopes are high they can pull off another shock but they are also under no illusions about the task ahead.

Hutchinson, who may sit the game out and watch from the sidelines, does have a couple of injury concerns with Chris Senior suffering from exhaustion after being substituted just after half-time at Gillingham, and Jamie Morgan struggling with a groin problem.

Senior had been ill in the two days leading up to last Saturday's clash with tonsillitis.

Hutchinson added: "We are hopeful that Chris will declare himself fit but we will not push him as his good health is the main concern.

"Dan Wise is also suffering with tonsillitis and did not train in midweek but is improving. As for Jamie, we are fairly certain he will be available."

Bees (from): Cleal, Churchill, Radcliffe, Lock, Senior, Hutchinson, Legg, Wise, Evans, Clarke (A), Condliffe, Hayter, Mason, Fellows, Morgan.

n Bridport Reserves travel to leaders Hamworthy Recreation in the Dorset Premier League tomorrow hoping to build on their good performance at Swanage Town & Herston.

The Bees have gone ten days without a game since defeating the Swans 2-1 but they know Rec will be buzzing having won their first three games. Bridport boss Mike Savage, who is hoping to have the same squad available, said: "We have a tough month but if we can pick up a few points then we will be happy."