We’ll come back stronger – Senior (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

We’ll come back stronger – Senior

9:01am Wednesday 2nd May 2012 in Local Sport By Adam Summers

Bridport 4 STREET 4

TREVOR Senior is confident Bridport will be a much stronger force next season following a year of consolidation in the top-flight.

The Bees more than held their own in their first campaign back in the Toolstation Western Premier Division but their optimistic boss is adamant there is a lot more to come.

Senior, whose side finished 14th, seven points above the drop-zone, said: “Compared to winning promotion last season, this past year has been very different but there have been a lot of positives we can build on now for next season.

“It has been very much a learning curve for the lads but all that stops now.

“Having had a year to get used to the step up in level, everyone now knows what is expected and hopefully we will become a lot stronger from the experience.

“The lads couldn’t have given any more this past year and apart from three or four below-par performances, we have always been competitive.

“Our main problem has been failing to take our chances and if we can work on that and add some more goals to the side, I am sure we will come back next season an even tougher proposition.”

Bridport served up a dramatic climax to their campaign last Saturday by letting a four-goal lead slip through their fingers at St Mary’s Field.

The Bees went 3-0 up in the first 15 minutes and then added another after the break before Street mounted an incredible comeback to snatch an unlikely point.

Chris Clarke opened the scoring from a corner before Tom Richardson set up Chris Senior for the second just two minutes later.

Ben Clarke then turned in another set-piece and although the Cobblers did hit a post and miss a gilt-edged chance after a fluffed clearance from home keeper Sam Filkins, a three-goal lead at the break was exactly what the dominant Bees deserved.

Chris Clarke then rounded the visiting stopper to add a fourth in the early stages of the second half, only for Street to somehow turn the tables with four goals in 20 minutes to deny the home side what at one stage had looked like a guaranteed three points.

Senior added: “In the first half we created quite a few chances and at 4-0 up in the second it should have been game over.

“However, as soon as they pulled two back, we collapsed for 10 minutes and in the end were left holding on at 4-4.

“It was an entertaining game for the neutral but not for us and in many ways it showed the two sides of Bridport.”

Bees (from): Filkins, Condliffe (Symes 67), C Clarke, D Lock, Hill, Hayter, Legg (Morgan 67), Wise, Richardson, B Clarke (Luke 62), Senior.

Bees’ Man of the Match: C Clarke Attendance: 115