Bees need to make home comforts count (From This is Hampshire)
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Bees need to make home comforts count
4:50pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in Hampshire Sport By David Williams, Sports Reporter
IN CONTENTION: Michael Hailu
BRIDPORT need to continue making the most of their current run of six home games on the spin in order to stave off the threat of relegation, according to boss Trevor Senior.
A late Dan Wise goal gave the side a dramatic 4-3 win over Hallen last weekend – their first success in 12 outings – meaning they go into Saturday's home clash with Bath outfit Odd Down (3pm) unbeaten in three Toolstation Western Premier Division matches.
Another success would further boost their chances of avoiding the drop and they have the added bonus of welcoming Michael Hailu back into the squad after he was unavailable for the Hallen triumph.
Russell Legg starts a two-match suspension and misses out.
Saturday will see Bridport, third bottom of the division, play the fourth of half-a-dozen consecutive fixtures at St Mary’s Field.
“The confidence is back,” admitted Senior. “Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards and we’ve got to keep taking advantage of our home games and keep the run going.
“We’re still third bottom in the table but it looks a bit healthier and if we keep matching the two sides below us we’ll be okay.
“It has helped having Jamie Symes in the side and with Dan Wise and Chris Luke the midfield has been working really well together.
“Russell Legg has been suspended and hasn’t been able to get back in the side but that shows how much competition there is.
“And it’s been good to have a midweek off this week as the lads were saying after Saturday’s match that having not had a game for a long time, to then have three in a week took it out of them.”
Bridport’s only defeat in their last six matches came against Odd Down on February 5 since when they have remained unbeaten in three home fixtures with three more to follow at St Mary’s Field in the space of eight days.
Odd Down are on a run of five unbeaten in the league themselves and lie in eighth place, level on points with Larkhall Athletic.
Bees (from): S Filkins, J Filkins, Condliffe, Stordy, C Clarke, R Hayter, Luke, Wise, Dovell, Symes, B Clarke, Ritchie, Richardson, A Clarke, Evans, Hailu
