BRIDPORT boss Jamie Manley has backed the Bees to “bounce back” from a 9-2 thrashing at Street in their Toolstation Western League Premier Division clash at home to Bradford Town on Saturday (3pm).

Bridport had suffered a grizzly mauling at the Tannery.

Former Bridport winger Leighton Thomas showed his class with two excellent goals in the first 10 minutes to haunt his former side.

However, Bridport halved the deficit when Lewis Clarke buried his second goal in two games.

Patrick O’Halloran punished the visitors with a third and the Cobblers added a fourth on 36 minutes through Jakob Dickens to effectively end the contest.

The Bees held Street until 65 minutes before the hosts won what appeared to be a soft penalty, Oliver Pearson stepping up to beat Scott Wells-Burr from the spot.

Thomas claimed his hat-trick for 6-1 before Tom Salter added an own goal.

Street were cut-throat and added two more late goals through Oliver Hebbard and the outstanding captain Kameron Andrews, another ex-Bee, before Friend bagged a well-deserved goal for 9-2 in the 92nd minute.

Looking ahead to the Bradford game, Manley said: “This league is ruthless and if you’re not on it you’ll get punished.

“It’s not great but we’re big enough to bounce back and that’s what we’ll be looking to do on Saturday.

“We know that’s not going to be an easy game, but it’s all down to the character the lads are going to show.”

Ryan Dovell and Lloyd Beals (both knee) are doubts, while Dec Cornish (thumb) will be assessed.