BRIDPORT boss Adam Fricker feels the Bees will travel to Hallen for their FA Cup Preliminary Round tie in “confident mood” on Saturday (3pm).

Fricker’s men took a 3-0 win from an extra-preliminary round replay with Wellington and have accrued four points from their opening three Toolstation Western League Premier Division games.

Last season, the Bees compiled a spellbinding run to the third qualifying round, pushing National League South side St Albans City all the way in a 2-1 loss.

And Fricker was keen to highlight the “honour” of managing a side in the FA Cup.

He said: “Going up (to Hallen) is always going to be difficult, but we’ll certainly go in confident mood. They’ve probably strengthened from last season – I don’t think they’ll struggle like last year.

“They’ve got new manager Ray Johnston, so I know they will be physical. We’ll just have to match that and hopefully let our quality take over.

“When he was the Odd Down manager we’ve had some battles and it will be an interesting one.

“I think we exceeded expectations last season. We appreciate that the money is great for the football club, but I don’t put that pressure on the lads.”

He added: “The majority of the lads that played last season are still in the squad. It was a fantastic journey, but it probably hindered the league towards the of the season.

“It’s something we want to be involved in. It’s an honour for me as a manager to be able to manage in it as well.”

Bridport are set to be without James Regan, plus Dorchester loanees Josh Williams and Ben Morris, but Chris McGrath and Kameron Andrews return.

Fricker said: “(Steve Thompson, Dorchester manager) is not keen to have them cup-tied – it’s totally understandable.”

Bridport warmed up for the cup tie with a 2-1 loss at Buckland Athletic.

The Bucks held a 2-0 lead courtesy of Les Afful and Graham Mercieca, but Mark Salter pulled one back.

Richard Hebditch wasted a one-on-one before seeing a late penalty shout turned down after being bundled over in the box.

Buckland: K Griffiths, Richards, Tasker, Down, Harrison, Groves, D Griffiths, Moxon (Duff 65), Bush (Roberts 79), Afful, Mercieca. Subs not used: Head, Rudge, T Buckler

Bees: Hutchings, Richardson, Martin, Sweet, Regan, Thomas (Morris 70), Williams, Latas, Symes, Hebditch, Salter. Subs not used: Peach, Cox, Smith