BRIDPORT start their Screwfix Direct Western league campaign where they finished it last season, with a trip to Dawlish Town (kick-off 3pm).

On that occasion the Bees were 4-1 winners at Sandy Lane and manager Peter Conning would love to kick off with a similar result.

With several new additions to the squad, he believes the Bees are well equipped to improve on last season's 14th place.

"I'm very confident about the way we are looking," he said, "we still need a bit more firepower but that can come from within the team. It would be nice to think that we will not need to bring in anyone else, because we have more attacking options.

"Mick Greeno and Warren White can be creative in midfield and on the left Jason Thoday does a lot of good work in the attacking part of the pitch."

Bees captain James Gisborne is unavailable, while there are injury doubts over Simon Gale, who has a damaged hamstring, and Simon Austin, who pulled a calf muscle in training.

Conning is likely to start with a new look back three of Dave Newland, Nigel Evans and Gary McAuley, with Darren Stewart slotting into Gisborne's holding role in the midfield.

"Man for man I think we are stronger at the back than we were last season," said Conning. "Whether that mean we are as effective, only time will tell."

Bridport (from): Peters, Newland, Evans, McAuley, Thoday, Austin, White, Greeno, Stewart, S Gale, Armstrong, Leach, Parkinson, Linney, Conning.

* Bridport Reserves also kick off against their end of season opponents with a visit to Holt United.

It is a tough test for the Bees seconds under new manager Chris Fry, who wants to continue the progress made under former boss Kevin Donovan.

"It's a stiff opener for us," said Fry, "but I'm sure that if we get our thinking heads on it's a game we can win.

"We just need a bit of self belief. I don't expect us to be challenging for the league, but on the other hand, we are capable of being up there with that top bunch of teams."

Fry is likely to include first teamers Adam Rose and Mike Flann, both in need of a run out.

Bridport Res (from): Carter, Fry, Lock, Smith, Cadman, Thomas, Aplin, Foote, A Gale, Middleton, Richards, Hitchcock, Penn, Menaldino, Flann, Rose, Whetlor.