TREVOR Senior has been hit by another setback with the news that Darren Watts is preparing to leave the club due to work commitments.

As a consequence, the Bridport manager left the creative midfielder out of his starting line-up in last Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat against Bristol Manor Farm and has admitted the “great servant” will be sorely missed.

Senior said: “I left Darren out on Saturday but he had certainly done nothing wrong.

“He has just got a full-time job in the fire service and unfortunately it means we are shortly going to lose him.

“That is the reason why I dropped him to the bench so I could take a look at other options.

“Darren has been a great servant during his time at the club and I completely understand his decision because at the end of the day, in this day and age, you have got to go where your bread and butter is.”

The Bees have lost their last four games in all competitions and currently sit third-bottom in the Toolstation Western Premier, but Senior is adamant his men are not far away from turning the corner.

He added: “We always knew this season was going to be a lot tougher than last, and the main thing for us is to try and stay in the league and get experience of the level.

“Wells City went up a couple of seasons ago and it has taken them time to adapt and we have got to do the same.

“At Horndean in the FA Cup we got punished for three mistakes but at the weekend Bristol Manor Farm scored three good goals and sometimes you just have to accept that.

“We created enough opportunities over the course of the afternoon to win the game and on another day they will go for you.

“The players certainly should not feel too disappointed about the result and I am glad to say the changing room afterwards was still fairly vibrant.

“Next up is another tough home game against Bitton tomorrow and they are seen by many as one of the favourites to win the league.

“They are a big, strong side but at the end of the day taking on teams like that is exactly why we wanted to get promoted.”

Senior has no injury concerns ahead of the visit of the Gloucester-shire outfit with goalkeeper Sam Filkins now back in action following a back problem.

The Bees’ boss said: “Everyone came through Saturday okay, including Sam, who has now returned to university in Gloucester where he has been getting intensive treatment on his back.

“Apparently, he has a muscular injury, which is mainly down to his posture. With the ongoing treatment he is receiving he should be fine.”

* Bridport’s away clash at Bishop Sutton will now be played on October 15 with the reverse fixture at St Mary’s Field scheduled for October 18.

The switch has been made to accommodate a Dorset Senior Cup first round tie at Shaftesbury, which will take place on September 28.