IT’S fair to say that Shaun Annetts has had something of a mixed start to life as boss of Bridport’s reserve team over the first half of this season.

A glance at the Dorset Premier League table sees the Bees’ second string sitting 16th out of the 17 sides with only four wins to their name.

However, Annetts has taken heart from his team’s two victories over Weymouth, their performances in cup competitions, and the number of youngsters he has given game time to.

And the Bridport manager is keen to for that blooding of young talent to continue over the next few seasons.

Speaking to Echosport, Annetts, who took over the reserves from Robin Townsend last summer, said: “It has been very enjoyable for the most part.

“It’s certainly a work in progress. We are slowly trying to change the way that the reserves have been working over the last few years and introduce some youngsters into the side.

“We have brought in a few youngsters and Tom Blair in particular is a huge talent, and he can get better and better.

“We’ve now got Kriss Radivojsa as well and Josh Hadley in goal has done very well for me and (first-team boss) Trevor Senior when he has stepped up.

“Bringing youngsters through is something I’m keen to continue doing, particularly with the Bridport Youth set-up.

“I feel it’s a three-year thing and by the end of that we will have introduced a crop of young lads who are playing for the first team.”

Commenting on his side’s form so far this term, he added: “There have been a few days where I’ve had my head in my hands but others where I’ve sat back and reflected on what have been some marvellous performances and results.

“The two worst results for me were against Hamworthy Recreation and Swanage (Bridport lost 7-0 and 6-0).

“But the two wins against Weymouth, the cup win against Ham Rec, and the way we’ve been playing more recently has been very pleasing.

“We’ve done alright in the cup competitions but being second from bottom in the league is not where the team should be.

“My priority for the new year is to make sure we are as prepared as we can be and pick up points to move up to a respectable mid-table position.”

Annetts sees consistency and confidence as the two key factors during the rest of his debut campaign in the Bridport hot-seat, while he is also “very keen” on setting up a third team for next season.

He continued: “I believe the way we are trying to organise things will come good in the second half of the season.

“The aim is to get that consistency and confidence. Confidence is a massive thing and a few early defeats certainly saw our confidence take a bit of a bashing.

“It then takes time to re-establish, but I’m confident we can rebuild that.

“There have been some tough times in these last few months, but there have also been some good times.

“I’ve got a great bunch of players and I enjoy coaching them.

“We’ve just lacked that bit of consistency.

“Introducing those young players means they have needed time to adapt, but it was always going to be a difficult transitional period.

“There have been a few tough nights and afternoons but some enjoyable ones too.”

Bridport’s home game with Wareham Rangers on Saturday was postponed due to the wet weather that wiped out all of the fixtures in the Dorset Premier League.

Next up for the Bees is a trip to Holt United.