BRIDPORT 2 WINCANTON TOWN 0

BRIDPORT manager Adam Fricker admitted his first experience in charge at St Mary’s Field “could not have gone any better” after the new-look Bees overcame Wincanton Town.

While the friendly marked the start of a new managerial challenge for Fricker at Bridport, it was two of his recruits from former club Chard Town that got their names on the scoresheet in his first fixture at the helm.

Ed Butcher, who scored 15 goals in 39 league appearances for the Robins last season, set the ball rolling with a penalty for his new side with a converted penalty on 43 minutes.

Luke Woodland, also a recruit from the Somerset outfit, doubled the Bees’ lead just short of halftime as they went on to claim a 2-0 victory.

Speaking about the win after the contest, Fricker told Echosport: “Obviously the first preseason game is always going to be difficult.

“It took us 10 or 15 minutes to settle down with a mix of new and old players. It’s going to take them a while to gel.

“But, once we got into our stride we played some good football and it could not have gone any better for the first game.

“We have been back in training for two weeks and you can see a lot more when the lads are on the pitch. You learn more and you can start to shape the team from that, so we are chuffed.

“As a whole, every single lad did what we asked of them and bought into what we are trying to do.

“I felt really comfortable and that comes from the people within Bridport. They have made us all really welcome.”

Fricker had Mark Salter and Luke King as well as new recruits Leigh Bailey and Ben Haines unavailable for the opening fixture, but may still also recruit further fresh faces to his squad.

“We are talking to a couple of players about adding them into the squad but, other than that, we are pretty comfortable with what we are working with,” he added.

“We would like to think that by the time we get to the Plymouth Parkway game, which is on July 23, our aim is to have the squad moulded, shaped and working together.”

One negative for the St Mary’s Field side did come however when Ryan Hayter was forced off through injury early in the first half, a problem Bridport are set to monitor over the coming days.

The Bees’ next friendly comes at home against Cullompton tomorrow (7.45pm).

Bridport (from): Hutchings, Condliffe, Hayter, Chlopecki, Martin, Butler, Symes, Peach, Blair, Woodland, Butcher, Hill, Peart, Holland, Rutter