BRIDPORT manager Adam Fricker is set to field a “pretty strong” squad for the Bees’ second pre-season friendly against Exmouth Town tomorrow night (7.30pm).

Fricker’s men were forced to move their opening pre-season gambit against Elmore to a 3G pitch due to dry conditions causing safety issues at the Eagles’ Horsdon Park pitch.

In a further twist, the game was played in three 30-minute thirds with Elmore running out 8-5 victors as Jamie Mudge bagged four goals, Stuart Davies a hat-trick and Alex Gray a solitary strike.

Bridport, who never led during the encounter, saw Oscar Latas and Kameron Andrews notch braces, while the Bees also profited from an own goal.

Commenting on the Elmore fixture, Fricker told Echosport it had felt more like a “training session”.

He said: “We played three 30 minutes, it was a good run out for us and good to get some minutes on the board.

“It was a mix between first team and reserves and a bit more of a training session to be perfectly honest.

“We haven’t changed the side from last season so from our perspective the result doesn’t make a difference to us.

“It’s more that we got the minutes into the lads and they do the right things – they know how we want to play and what we want to do.

“The most pleasing things was how sharp the players looked – fair play to them, they look fresh.”

Bridport are expected to welcome back Jason Hutchings, Andy Martin, Max Buckler, Mark Salter and Tom Richardson, but the game comes too soon for winger Leighton Thomas.

Fricker said: “(Exmouth) is where we’ll hopefully get down to business.

“It’s always difficult on a 3G, the play is a lot slower, but we’re back on grass.

“It will be a test for us but certainly one where we’ve got five of the lads back. The squad going down there is pretty strong.

“It’s a decent five to be coming back, none of the lads played Saturday and Leighton returns (tomorrow), that’s another addition. He’s been in the Cayman Islands.

“It will be good to get Max on the pitch and see how he fits in. We know how we want to set up, it’s our third season and it’s quite straightforward for us.

“We’ve got the opportunity to bring a couple of reserve lads up. They have the chance to have some proper minutes in the first team to see what they can do.”

Following the Bees’ friendly against Exmouth, Fricker’s men travel to Sherborne on Saturday (3pm).

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