BRIDPORT boss Trevor Senior reckons the quality of pitches holds the key to his charges’ fortunes in the second half of the season.

Senior was speaking as it was confirmed that tonight’s fixture with local rivals Chard Town had been postponed because of a frozen St Mary’s Field surface.

Much of the Bees’ recent itinerary has been ravaged by the elements, with the torrential rain in November followed by plummeting temperatures.

All of which has had a significant impact on the state of the region’s pitches, which have struggled to withstand all that Mother Nature has subjected them to.

St Mary’s Field has coped better than many but the brand of free-flowing football that Bridport choose to employ has not been conducive to the conditions.

Since the adverse weather struck in early November, the Bees have lost four successive matches, the latest being the 4-1 reversal at home to Elmore 10 days ago.

Senior claims this is no coincidence and is hoping that more hospitable conditions will allow his players to revert to winning ways.

He said: “We are a much better side on firmer pitches because we like to pass it around, and on a decent one I would fancy our chances against anyone.

“No pitch is going to be in an ideal state at the moment and there is nothing we can do about that. Ours is one of the better ones, but with a reserve side at the club the pitch is always in operation.

“We are looking to get some momentum going. Playing on a decent surface is crucial for us and that much is obvious from looking at our results.”

Senior’s troops’ next engagement is Saturday’s trip to Shepton Mallet, who in 15th are one place and two points better off than the West Dorset outfit.