8:50am Friday 9th January 2009
By Rob Meech
BRIDPORT v
PORTISHEAD TOWN
SHANE Evans has become the second player in a month to pledge his future to Bridport after declining an offer to join Axminster Town.
The Bees’ striker was poised to pen a deal at Sector Lane on Tuesday when a seven-day period prohibiting contact between the two parties elapsed.
But boss Ian Hutchinson confirmed the 20-year-old had rejected a move away from St Mary’s Field, opting instead to fight to regain his place in the first team.
Evans has become somewhat marginalised under the new manager, who of late has preferred a pairing of brothers Ashley and Ben Clarke up front.
Last season’s leading scorer has netted just three times from 20 appearances this term having been limited mostly to cameo roles, and his well-documented goal drought stretches back to October.
Evans follows defender Ryan Hayter, who resisted overtures from Chard Town, in reaffirming his commitment to the West Dorset outfit.
However, Hutchinson revealed Evans would not be in the squad for tomorrow’s potentially explosive Toolstation Western League Division One visit of Portishead Town (3pm).
The two sides’ chequered history will again be under the microscope given the ill-feeling that has engulfed two previous meetings.
Bridport’s elimination on penalties from the Les Phillips Cup preceded a drawn league affair in which the Bees relinquished a two-goal lead.
Portishead incurred the dismissals of two men while six Bridport players were booked as the match descended into a tumultuous encounter.
And Hutchinson, who has warned his players not to engage in off-the-ball incidents, is wary of a backlash from a Portishead side amid a slump.
He said: “We battered them for the first half at their place and were unlucky not to win. Discipline will be important because Portishead made some rash challenges and their bench were keen to make their feelings known. I don’t want my players getting involved in any shenanigans, it’s important we concentrate on playing football.”
Chris Senior is still sidelined and Russell Legg, who is nursing a virus, is a major doubt.
Bees (from): Cuff, Cleal, Hayter, Radcliffe, Herbst, Lock, Fellows, C Clarke, Wise, Legg, Hutchinson, Evans, A Clarke, B Clarke, Condliffe
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