BRIDPORT boss Adam Fricker is expecting a challenging game against Willand Rovers in their Toolstation Western Premier Division clash at St Mary’s Field tonight (7.45pm).

The Bees go into their first home league game of the season in fine form, having beaten St Austell 1-0 in the FA Cup and following it up with a handsome 4-1 victory over Cadbury Heath on Saturday.

And Fricker believes his team’s good start owes much to the hard work put in over pre-season.

He said: “We know it’s going to be a tough game. They are always a strong outfit. We’re looking to carry on and keep the confidence going and see if we can get some more points on the board.

“We had a good pre-season, everyone worked hard and I think we’re reaping the benefits from that. Confidence is definitely high and we’ll go into the game looking for another three points.”

Bridport’s squad size is set to be tested with several players picking up injuries in the Cadbury Heath triumph, including a nasty-looking knee problem for Louis Rutter.

“We have got a few injuries but that’s the advantage of having a large squad. Louis Rutter is probably going to be long-term. We’re waiting for the swelling to go down.

“Tom Richardson is unavailable, along with Leighton Thomas. There are still doubts over Dan Peach and Ed Butcher. We’re going to give them as long as possible and hope they will be OK.

“Mark Salter will be back, Alan Hill and Kameron Andrews will be back as they missed Saturday’s game. There’s some coming out and some coming in, so it’s not a disaster by any stretch of the imagination,” Fricker said.

Tonight’s opponents Willand Rovers sit in 14th in the embryonic stages of the league table, and are currently winless having earned just a point so far, but Fricker is not underestimating the Devon side.

He said: “They will be getting the ball down. We know they will be useful and they have got a link with Bideford.

“They will be a decent footballing side and we’ll have to be at our best to get anything from the game, that’s for sure.”

n Bridport Reserves are set to continue their Dorset Premier League campaign on Saturday with a trip to Wiltshire side Mere Town.

The Bees’ second-string will be looking to respond to a 3-1 loss sustained at home to Sturminster Newton in their opening game.