Senior outlines Bridport target (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Senior outlines Bridport target

9:10am Thursday 19th November 2009

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BOSS Trevor Senior has thrown down the gauntlet and challenged his side to be in the top half of the table by Christmas.

Bridport welcome near-neighbours Chard Town to St Mary’s Field on Saturday (3pm) refreshed and refocused after a weather-enforced break.

Victory in the reverse fixture back on October 3 was the Bees’ first in Toolstation Western League Division One this season and triggered something of a revival.

Since that afternoon the West Dorset outfit’s fortunes have blossomed and with five wins to their name they are situated in 12th position.

However, Senior harbours far loftier ambitions for his troops, who can bring his objective closer to reality by completing a welcome double over ailing Chard.

He said: “We are only a couple of wins away from being in the top 10 if results go our way and we need to keep in touch. I would like us to be in the top 10 by Christmas.

“We have beaten Chard away so it would be nice to get our first double. They are struggling but will be as keen to get the points as we are.”

Chard were relegated from the Premier Division last season and their malaise has rumbled on this term – despite stunning perennial title-chasers Bradford Town on the opening day.

That triumph, and the 2-0 win over Portishead Town a fortnight ago, have camouflaged an otherwise lacklustre campaign that has yielded just 11 points.

Bees’ skipper Darren Lock is inching his way towards full fitness and a decision on whether he features either for the first team or for the reserves will be made in due course.

Lewis Cocker has resumed training following a two-month spell on the sidelines with a foot injury but he will not be risked until he has proved his fitness.

Although the club’s casualty list is shrinking, Senior has been rocked by news that rising star Jamie Symes has been recalled by Dorchester Town.

The Bees’ chief said: “Jamie has committed himself to Dorchester. He is with them for the forseeable future and it’s probably the right thing for him at this time.

“If Darren is fit he could be on the bench with us but we don’t want to bring him back too early.

“It’s difficult to change the team at the moment anyway because of the way they’ve been playing.”

A dark cloud on the horizon – literally – is the ominously dire weather forecast predicting heavy rain both tomorrow and Saturday.

But Senior is hopeful the playing surface will be able to cope with yet another downpour.

He added: “The drainage system has worked well and there was only one goalmouth that was the problem, so all being well the pitch should be fine.”

Bees (from): Simon Evans, Hill, Condliffe, C Clarke, Hayter, Senior, Cummings, Watts, Wise, A Clarke, Shane Evans, B Clarke, G Bulman, Jones, Lock

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