BRIDPORT assistant-manager Paddy Behan insists the Bees’ are desperate to end Street’s long unbeaten run when the two sides meet in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division at St Mary’s Field tonight (7.45pm).

Adam Fricker’s men sit 12th and have suffered four defeats in their last five league games, but beat the Cobblers 3-1 in the FA Cup preliminary round in August.

However, they face a Street side that has won their past 10 games in all competitions, with their last loss coming in October when they were thrashed 7-1 by Willand Rovers in the FA Vase.

Speaking to Echosport, Behan is relishing the challenge of facing the Somerset side after a disappointing 3-2 loss at Hengrove Athletic on Saturday.

He said: “It’s a bit hard for us really. We’re a decent footballing side. As soon as the Hengrove pitch started to cut up we started to do the same things.

“We said they needed to change the way we played and it’s not going to be any different against Street, they’re a good side.

“On paper yes, they’re the best. They’ve got stronger this year but they won’t fancy coming to us because we’ve played them once and beaten them.

“On our day we can match them comfortably. It’s just our lack sometimes of dealing with situations.”

Behan feels the Bees will be “buzzing” to try and halt top team Street’s streak of victories and believes with more consistency, Bridport could become a force to be reckoned with.

“It’s that consistency. I think a lot of that is down to experience. We’re missing Jon Vance which is a blow because he’s been there and knows how to do that.

“We needed Street to come to us because the lads will be bitterly disappointed and Adam left his mark on their ears on Saturday. Another day we might have won 3-2.

“I think the fact that we’ve got Street on this massive unbeaten run is exactly the sort of game that our lads will love,” he said.

“They’ll be buzzing to play because they’re playing Street. They will be wanting to say that they’ve taken their unbeaten run away.

“However, if conditions are tough and we try to do the things we tried to do on Saturday, we’ll lose.

“Street know what we’re like. They know we’re a decent little side. The boys will be up for it, but we know they’ve got plenty of ammunition,” he added.

Vance, Leigh Bailey (work) and Jason Hutchings (ban) miss out for Bridport, but Braeden Symes returns from a one-match suspension and Richard Hebditch is also available.

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