Symes returns to St Mary's (From Dorset Echo)

Symes returns to St Mary's

9:05am Friday 11th January 2013 in Sport By David Williams, Sports Reporter

JAMIE Symes has returned to Bridport on-loan and could go straight into the starting XI for tomorrow’s Toolstation Western Premier Division game at Bristol Manor Farm (3pm).

The midfielder has joined from Dorchester Town for a five-week period which could be extended to 92 days if all parties agree at the end of the original loan spell.

The move has been funded by a private sponsor at Bridport and sees Symes link-up with the club he left to join Dorchester in March 2011 at the age of 17.

Senior has known the 19-year-old for some time and is delighted to have him back at St Mary’s Field.

“I saw him playing for Dorchester under-18s when he was 15 and he didn’t look out of place then,” he said.

“With injuries he hasn’t quite managed a regular place at Dorchester but I’m thrilled to have him at Bridport.

“He’s a midfielder who scores goals and he did that a lot with Ryan Dovell when we were in the first division a couple of years ago.

“He’s got an eye for goal, sees a pass and is good in the air. He’s an all round player.”

Sam Buckler is available again after missing the 4-4 draw against Street last Saturday and Russell Legg will be involved before his suspension for a red card in that match kicks in.

A 1-0 defeat to Longwell Green Sports last time out brought an end to Bristol Manor Farm’s three-match winning streak.

They might be well-placed in sixth but if Bridport were to win all their games in hand the Bees would actually move above them in the standings.

The sides drew 1-1 in September and after fighting back from 3-1 and 4-2 down last weekend Senior is quietly confident about his team’s chances.

“When we played them before they were near the bottom but then went on a good run,” he said. “They like to play football and have got a manager that really encourages them to pass the ball around.

“But the character of the lads last week was great and we’ve got to keep picking up points.

“Sam Buckler is back and after we conceded four goals against Street it gives us something to think about at the back.”

Bees (from): S Filkins, Hayter, Condliffe, Evans, C Clarke, Legg, Luke, Wise, Dovell, B Clarke, Hailu, Lock, Ritchie, Symes