BRIDPORT manager Rich Robson is eagerly anticipating a “special” first home game in charge of the Bees as Plymouth Parkway visit St Mary’s Field in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division on Saturday (3pm).

Robson and assistant-boss Ryan Dovell have so far overseen losses at Exmouth and an FA Cup exit at Bitton but the former Dorchester Reserves’ duo are keen to exhibit their newly-formed squad’s progress against big-spending Parkway.

The fixture is the third of a tough start for Bridport, but Robson believes the difficulty of the opponents, who finished second to champions Willand Rovers last year, adds to the occasion.

He told the Bridport News: “We're both looking forward to our first game at home, it’s always going to be a special game.

“You couldn’t have asked for better opponents in terms of the spectacle that’s going to be on show. It’s going to be a tough game which will hopefully make for an entertaining game for the fans who come down.

“I’m hoping we, and the squad, can show them some signs of things to come.”

Bitton beat Bridport 2-1 to reach the FA Cup preliminary round on Saturday, but Robson believes his side made progress in defeat.

“I think we took some steps forward,” Robson insisted. “What I’ll be looking for is to continue momentum forward and not to take steps back in our development.

“I know (Parkway) have a decent frontman there who drops deep and brings men into play, a couple of wide players that push on, so we’ll be mindful of that but also trying to think of a gameplan in terms of how we’re going to approach the game.”

Lewis Clarke (calf) and Will Gape (hip) will be assessed prior to the clash.