BRIDPORT’S coaching team believe the Bees’ 2019/2020 season gets underway for good with a home clash against Shepton Mallet in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division tonight (7.45pm).

Ten-man Bridport were beaten 5-0 by aspiring promotion hopefuls Plymouth Parkway on Saturday after Robinson Okumu received a harsh second yellow for a tackle on the byline when level at 0-0.

Speaking after the Parkway loss, assistant-manager Ryan Dovell echoed boss Rich Robson’s thoughts when insisting the Mallet battle is a genuine chance for three points for the league’s bottom side.

“Rich and I have spoken about it and this is where our season’s really going to start,” he said.

“We played Bitton in the FA Cup but they’re one of the top teams in our league and (we) played Parkway.

“We felt like at times throughout those games we’ve certainly created chances, frustrated them and stood up toe-to-toe against them and they’re the best teams in the league.

“With (Mallet) and Cadbury Heath on Saturday, this is where we really need to start pushing on.”

Dovell added: “Losing 5-0 at home, nobody wants that and hopefully we’ll never experience that again because it’s not good, no matter who you’re playing against.

“Having a game so quickly is ideal for us so we can get back out there, put in a performance and show everybody what we’re about.”

Striker Lewis Clarke (calf) and midfielder Will Gape (hip) remain doubts for the Bees.