BRIDPORT 2 BRADFORD TOWN 0

BULLISH Trevor Senior watched Bridport launch the new season in winning style and then announced: “We will be genuine promotion contenders.”

A goal apiece from Chris Clarke and Ryan Dovell either side of half-time ensured that the Bees laid down a marker against much-fancied Bradford Town at St Mary’s Field.

Clarke unleashed an unstoppable firecracker on 41 minutes before Dovell sealed the points late on with his first competitive goal for the club.

Gloveman Sam Filkins, whose stay could be an extended one after it emerged that Jamie Fry is set to be sidelined for another two months, again looked a model of composure.

It was an impressive way to kick off the campaign – and boss Senior believes his troops have fired a warning shot to Toolstation Western League Division One’s traditional powerhouses.

He said: “Bradford are a good side and I’m sure they will be in the top four again this season, so it’s an excellent win for us.

“I said to the guys at half-time that the second half would prove to me how good we were. I think we will be genuine promotion contenders, and they showed me that.

“Last season we earned a lot of plaudits for the way we played and I feel the squad is stronger this year, with good back-up. It’s a nice start and hopefully a few teams will be looking at our result and taking notice, but we need to keep it going against Elmore on Wednesday.”

Adam Symes had nearly broken the deadlock inside two minutes with a finely-struck volley, but Bridport were forced into their fair share of defending thereafter.

Filkins pulled off two stunning saves, while Chris Senior miraculously cleared the ball off the line when Dave Percival seemed certain to score.

Though it was somewhat against the run of play, few could have imagined a goal of such quality would enable Bridport to open their account for the season.

After latching on to a weak defensive header from a Symes free-kick, Clarke set himself before striking the ball so forcefully that it almost became lodged in the stanchion.

Suddenly the Bees were unshackled and they proceeded to stamp their authority all over the contest with fluid attacking play.

The crucial second goal arrived 12 minutes from time as Dovell sprang the offside trap and finished smartly, albeit after his initial effort had been beaten away by Lewis Porter.

As curtain-raisers go, Bridport could not have set a much higher benchmark.

Rome was not built in a day – but it had to start somewhere.

Bees: Filkins, A Symes, Condliffe, Lock, Senior, Hayter, J Symes, Legg (Moors 71), C Clarke (Evans 75), Dovell (Cummings 83), Watts.

Attendance: 115