Townsend was shocked by Crabb exit (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Townsend was shocked by Crabb exit

8:51am Wednesday 12th September 2012 in The Bees By Adam Summers

ROBIN Townsend has insisted that his promotion to the Bridport Reserves hot-seat was not premeditated.

The ex-Lyme Regis boss joined the management staff at St Mary’s Field in the summer in order to gain experience under Steve Crabb but he has since been thrown in at the deep end after his mentor surprisingly quit the club at the end of August.

Townsend, pictured right, said: “I only knew about Steve quitting when I read it in the paper.

“Some people might think this was all premeditated but I can assure them that was not the case and in many ways I am a bit disappointed because I was really hoping to learn a bit off the master.

“I am still hopeful he will come back after a couple of weeks but we will just have to wait and see.”

Reflecting on his first game at the helm, which resulted in a 5-1 victory over Shaftesbury, Townsend added: “I spoke to the players after Steve’s departure and I got a good reaction from them which was pleasing.

“However, I have still been thrown in at the deep end a little bit and we will just have to see what happens.

“Mark Lock is still helping out and our aim is to help the first team wherever we can.

“We might also look to freshened things up a bit with one or two new faces from the third team and maybe even outside the club.

“I think a couple of people have been resting on their laurels of late and we need them to start stepping up to the plate.”

Townsend’s men were back in action last night, drawing 2-2 with Chickerell United.