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The West Dorset Magazine, July 29, 2022
Sport By Stuart Wickham stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk
Although some Bridport Town fans are looking forward to their season in the South West Peninsula League Premier League, under new management team of Edgar Marcu and his assistant James Lukosius, others seem less confident on the team’s chances. The Bees have largely performed well in friendly games, some of which have been against higher-ranked opposition, but concerns remain about the team’s ability to gel quickly enough while adapting to a new playing style. Marcu takes charge in his first competitive Bees’ match, away to Ivybridge as the season kicks off on Saturday, August 6. Back-to-back home matches against Honiton and Crediton quickly follow, with the opening games likely to prove a good barometer for the season ahead, following wholesale squad changes and the implementation of a new style. Marcu has retained some experienced players with Dan Baggs, Harley Brook, Adam Steele and Riley Greenwood-Neate all re-signing for the Bees. Centreback Ryan Gall has been restored to the first team, and has looked a solid presence in defence during pre-season. Steve Barrett has been a fan of the club for over five years and is the club’s unofficial photographer Steve is generally optimistic about the season, although is concerned at the time it may take for new players to bed into the team, and adapt
TAKING CHARGE; Bees manager Edgar Marcu and, below, Ryan Gall and Dan Baggs Pictures; STEVE BARRETT
New season & new style for Bridport under boss Marcu to a new way of playing. Steve said: “I am looking forward to the new season, and have enjoyed watching the team in the friendlies. They played well against Weymouth. Although they lost 10-0, Weymouth are a professional team and we certainly competed well. They have had a couple of good wins against decent opposition and put up a good showing against Portland despite having several regular first-teamers unavailable.
“I like Edgar’s enthusiasm for the challenge and his confidence – he says he’s there to win the league and seems determined to set the standards high. You can certainly see the change in style. Before, we would knock it long to a big man up front to try and flick it on or hold it up, but now everybody is trying to play proper football out from the back – tippy tappy football – and so far we haven’t been caught out much by it. “The thing that worries me
and many of the other fans I’ve spoken to, is that we’ve had other new managers since Adam Fricker left. It always takes time for players to get used to each other and start playing as a team, and it remains to be seen if Edgar has had enough time to prepare his players properly. An example of this is where the Reserves beat the First Team early in pre-season – they were just a better unit, not necessarily better players. Much of my hope comes from the fact we are playing in a lower division, but I know that many fans are worried that it still might take us time to adjust. “I like the look of our defence and Ryan Gall has been excellent in the friendlies. He looks really assured alongside Dan Baggs, and hope they can form a really solid partnership. “As a fan, I think you have to be quietly optimistic, but the early league matches will certainly tell us a lot about how ready the team is.” If there is any uncertainty on the terraces, Marcu has no doubts about his team’s readiness. He said: “Our pre-season has been fantastic, we are more than ready for the new season. We started to play with the right shape against Radstock and I can see the quality that these players have. Many will go on to play at a higher level. The team is ready.” Bridport FC Opening Fixtures South West Pensinsula League Premier Division East Saturday, August 6: Ivybridge A Tuesday, August 9: Honiton H Saturday, August 13: Crediton H Wednesday, August 17: Elmore A Saturday, August 20: Brixham A Tuesday, August 30: Cullompton H
