BRIDPORT boss Jamie Manley believes Tavistock are in a “false position” ahead of their Toolstation Western League Premier Division clash at Langsford Park on Saturday (3pm).

Last season Tavistock were promoted from the South West Peninsula League to reach the ninth tier of English football for the first time in their history.

And the Lambs have enjoyed a solid start to life in the Western League with 14 points from just nine games enough for 14th despite some teams above having played up to five fixtures more.

Bridport, meanwhile, languish in 20th of 21 teams but are buoyed by the congested nature of the bottom half, with just seven points covering the lowest eight clubs.

Speaking to the Bridport News, boss Jamie Manley offered a respectful appraisal of the Devon side.

“I think they’re in a false position,” he admitted. “They’ve done well. They won at Chipping Sodbury (on Tuesday) and beat Exmouth 6-1 in the FA Vase – they’re a very good side as well.

“They’ll be up around the top by the end of the season, but saying that we’re looking forward to the game. The lads are hungry to get out there and hopefully kick-start our season.

“We’ve stuttered majorly over the last two or three weeks. We want to get our season going.”

Manley added: “It’s a ground I’ve never been to and I don’t think many lads have been there before. It’s always nice to go to new places.”

Bridport will be without Tom Richardson (work) and Ryan Dovell (chest infection).

The Bees’ star striker Lewis Clarke, fellow forward Tony Pinder plus defenders Andy Holmes and Ryan Gall are among the returnees.