BRIDPORT boss John Godbold believes his squad has “responded really well” to an updated style of play, centred on fostering young talent.

Godbold is yet to oversee a first-team game since the FA curtailed the Toolstation Western League Premier Division season.

But the Bees’ reserve team has completed three games in the new DPL Supplementary Cup, including an emphatic 5-1 victory over Dorchester Sports and a fabulous late comeback to earn a 3-3 draw at derby rivals Balti Sports.

Those matches have enabled Godbold to observe some first-team players in action – and the former Wimbledon and Chelsea centre-back is encouraged by what he has seen.

He told the Bridport News: “It’s given us a good opportunity in terms of having a look at the players.

“We’d had two sessions and one game, so it’s been really good for us.

“We’ve been training twice a week now since we’ve come back and we’ve been able to involve some of the players in the DPL stuff.

“The team we’ve been playing, we’ve had six under-18 players, six under-19 players and basically in the games we’ve only had three people aged 25 or above.

“The average age has probably been 19 and a half, so we’re sticking to what we said we would do.

“They’ve responded really well. It takes a bit of time, but they’re starting to get used to the way we want to play.

“It’s new, everything’s new and putting that into practice. I can’t praise them enough.”

Bridport will face a DPL representative side today.

Godbold said: “That’s our first first-team friendly but a lot of the boys that have been involved are still going to be involved.

“That’s the way we see going forward. What’s been really impressive is two or three of the lads who’ve trained regularly are now in our plans.

“It just shows that if you do the proper work, anything is possible.

“We’re looking forward to that and it gives us an opportunity to look at a few other players as well, who haven’t been involved in the DPL stuff. It’s all positive.”