BRIDPORT boss Jamie Manley has signed Tony Pinder and Mark Caines to the Bees’ squad ahead of their Toolstation Western League Premier Division clash with high-flying Bridgwater Town on Sunday (10.45am).

Manley’s men welcome the Robins to St Mary’s Field on Ground Hop weekend after thrashing Chipping Sodbury 4-0 in the former Chard manager’s first game in charge.

Max Westlake and Gary McAuley were new additions on that occasion, and Manley has moved quickly to secure coveted Axminster striker Pinder and former Sherborne Town man Caines.

However, Manley revealed Derek Wall has exited the Bees.

Manley said: “Derek’s left the club, so we wish him all the best wherever he ends up.

“We signed Tony, he’s coming into the squad and should be available for this weekend. He scored a lot of goals at Axminster last year, he’s a good signing.

“Mark is another lad who’s signed on. He played at Sherborne last year and can play as a striker or a centre-half. He may not be available this week but he’ll be coming in eventually.

“They’re two good acquisitions and even though we had a great result at the weekend we still need to get some bodies in and strengthen the squad.”

On the challenge of facing third-placed Bridgwater, Manley added: “I know what the Western League is all about and this year, especially in the Prem it’s the strongest it’s been for a number of years.

“You’re never going to get an easy game and Bridgwater, I know they’ve brought in quite a few lads who were Southern League last year at Street.

“They’re going to be no mugs, they’re flying. It’ll be a good test for our boys. We’ll give it our all and see what we can get out of the game.

“We know it’s not going to be easy but we’ll just make sure we set up correctly and hopefully we can get something out of the game.

“Saturday was a cracking result but we’re not going to be like that every week, it’s a tough league and we’re not going to take anything for granted.

“We’ll have to work hard and hopefully we’ll be able to kick on a bit.”

*Bridport Reserves lost 5-0 to Gillingham Town in the Dorset Premier League.