BRIDPORT boss Rich Robson believes the Bees will go from “strength to strength” ahead of their Toolstation Western League Premier Division clash at promoted Exmouth Town on Saturday (3pm).

Robson has overseen an almost complete overhaul of Bridport’s squad in the aftermath of ex-manager Adam Fricker and Paddy Behan's voluntary departure.

Former Dorchester Town Reserves boss Robson has largely built his side around young talent mixed with experienced figures such as assistant-manager Ryan Dovell, striker Lewis Clarke and midfielder Tom Richardson.

Pre-season has been a learning curve for the new Bridport staff, with four defeats from five games, including a sole 4-2 victory at Shaftesbury, largely irrelevant as Robson sought to garner information from his freshly-built team.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Robson admitted he is keen to begin the season against an Exmouth side who finished second in the South West Peninsula League Premier Division last campaign.

He said: “We’re excited to get it started and to get into it. It’s a project and we’re trying to build something here – we’re not the finished article yet.

“We’re working tirelessly to bring other lads in as and when we can, we’ll see how we get on.

“I think we’ll go from strength to strength as the season goes on. I’m expecting to see development and growth, that’s the ethos we want. We need to give it our best every time.”

Robson revealed his intention to scout Exmouth at Axminster last night.

“They’re going to be on a high and you’ve got to think they’ll keep their squad around as they got promoted together,” he said.

“They will be quite well established and be on a different part of their journey (to Bridport). We’ll be having a look at them and we’ll see how they work.”

Bridport will assess Clarke (calf), Ryan Gall (groin), Will Gape (quadricep) and Derek Wall (groin) ahead of the clash.