FORMER Bridport Res-erves manager Mike Thompson will be hoping to put one over his old friends at St Mary's Field tomorrow, kick-off 3pm.

Thompson, who was responsible for bringing in many of the current crop of Bees players, is now the assistant manager of Frome Town, working alongside player-boss Paul Thorpe.

His team had the unfortunate honour of becoming the first side to lose to basement club Barnstaple Town this season, but Bridport manager Peter Conning is not reading too much into that defeat.

He said: "Barnstaple are an improving side and the law of averages says it was always going to happen to somebody.

"Frome had been going quite well up to then, they've beaten a couple of the top five teams recently. Mike has much the same role as Barry Lawley does here, he'll have them well organised and it will be a difficult game for us."

Conning considers Frome to be similar to the Bees in terms of financial stature and he thinks his side should be winning these type of games.

"In recent matches, we've lost against teams who you would probably expect us to lose against, but I'm very optimistic we can get something out of this one and the players have to adopt that winning mentality."

Striker Martin Underhay completes his suspension this weekend and should return for the midweek Dorset Senior Cup tie.

Simon Austin is unavailable because of work commitments and Conning may have the opportunity to try out Darren Stewart and Dan Taylor, who have impressed for the Reserves this season.

Bridport (from): Peters, Newland, Grabham, Pashen, Gardner, Gisborne, Conning, Bews, Parkinson, Rose, Armstrong, S Gale, Taylor, Stewart.

* Bridport Reserves manager Kevin Donovan will name a big squad for Saturday's trip to Elite Teamwear Dorset Premier strugglers Blandford United, kick off 2.15pm.

Central defender Derek Walkey is a fitness doubt with a back injury and Mick Gilmour has a knee problem.

Dan Taylor and Darren Stewart may be required to step up to the first team, but Andy Hitchcock could make a return after a long spell out injured, if he comes through training unscathed.

Mark Lock returns from a 35-day suspension and Donovan has been pleased with his commitment to the club during his absence from competitive action.

He said: "Locky had a five week suspension and has trained hard throughout to maintain his fitness, so he can be ready to play when his ban finishes.

"Turn out for reserve team training has been excellent this season and Locky has set a good example to the youngsters."

Bridport Res (from): Ryland, Cuff, Walkey, Smith, Walker, Middleton, White, Taylor, Thomas, Fry, Aplin, Donovan, Richards, A Gale, Cotterill, Gilmour, Stewart, Hitchcock, Leighton.