BRIDPORT chairman Adrian Scadding believes the Bees still have a chance of securing a top-six finish this season.

The West Dorset club currently sit 11th in the Toolsta-tion Western League Premier Division and Scadding is happy with how the campaign has gone so far.

And not only is he pleased with things on the pitch, but off it, he is equally as satisfied given the situation the club was in 12 months ago.

Going into 2013, the Bees were facing a relegation battle in the league while also struggling to cope with so many home games being postponed due to the bad weather.

But, after drainage works were carried out at the club’s St Mary’s Field home and the team’s solid first half to the season, the outlook is a lot brighter.

“The club has been thriving over the past few weeks and months,” said Scadding. “We’ve had plenty of games and functions at the club and things are looking up.

“We’re playing well and I’m pleased with the way the team is going.

“I said at the start of the season we should be aiming for the top six and there is still a chance.

“I reckon we can still make it because we seem to raise our game against the top teams.

“We haven’t got a good enough team to finish first or second in this league but we are good enough to be in the top six.”

“Trevor (Senior) and his coaching team are doing a really good job with a dedicated group of players.”

He added: “We were struggling this time last year. There were so many games called off and we had no consistency.

“But now the players have gelled together well and I reckon we’ll do well this year.

“Last season was a real test for them but they seem to be more settled this time and I think they’ve upped their game.

“The reserves are doing really well in their division, although the third team is struggling through lack of players and we’ve been close to calling off a few matches.”

Scadding, who has been at the helm for eight years now, would have liked a better run in the cup competitions.

In an ideal world, he would also like to see a couple of new faces on the committee, but, in general, things are looking good for 2014.

* The Bees travel to Hengrove Athletic in the league this Saturday (3pm).