BRIDPORT 1

WILLAND ROVERS 5

BRIDPORT manager Adam Fricker admitted he was “bitterly disappointed” by his side’s 5-1 Toolstation Western Premier Division defeat at home to Willand Rovers.

Goals from James Blake, Brad Ausden, Luke Mortimore and a Luke Alden brace saw the visitors wrack up a big margin of victory at St Mary’s Field, with Richard Hebditch scoring for the hosts.

The defeat prompted Fricker to concede that his team simply “weren’t at the races”.

He told Echosport: “We’re obviously bitterly disappointed. We weren’t at the races. For 40 minutes we were well in the game, we just let them in defensively.

“Ryan Hayter and Alan Hill collided with a lack of communication and their guy went through on goal.

“We then conceded one just on the stroke of half-time, and after that it was pretty disappointing.”

The Bees now have to prepare for tomorrow’s FA Cup first preliminary round tie with Street at home (3pm).

Having progressed with a 1-0 win over St Austell, Bridport face familiar foes Street, who finished second in the Toolstation Western Premier Division last season.

And Fricker feels it will be a “tough game” against the Somerset outfit.

He said: “We’re looking forward to it, it’s come around pretty quickly. We know a lot about Street, and all about the players down there.

“It’s going to be a really tough game and we’ll need to be at our best to get anything out of it. But we’re a strong team as well so they have a lot to fear from us.”

With £1,925 for the winner, Fricker is aware of both the financial and footballing rewards at stake.

“It’s always got that financial aspect. For us it’s the unknown, if we can get through on Saturday you never know who we can get in the next round,” he said.

While Fricker is all for a good cup run and urged a big crowd to attend, he conceded the league is likely to be his side’s “bread and butter” this season.

He said: “It’s a nice distraction from the league. Hopefully we can get a big crowd down there and give them something to enjoy.

“We want to keep those runs going and keep ticking over, but it’s not going to affect our season. The league is our bread and butter. I don’t think we’re going to win the FA Cup!”

Braeden Symes is the only fitness doubt after he was substituted on Wednesday due to a sickness bug.

Bees: Hutchings, Vere, Hill, Hayter, Martin (Hull 80), Symes (Conliffe 50), Andrews, Butler (Handyside 70), Butcher, Hebditch, Salter

Subs not used: R Wearden