BRIDPORT are actively looking for more “firepower” to boost their ranks after injuries to two strikers, boss Chris Herbst has revealed.

Knocks for Tom Richardson (knee) and Brad Rowe (ankle) have left Bridport with Sol Ayunga as their only recognised striker.

Riley Weedon, with nine goals, and Ayunga, on eight, are Bridport’s top-scorers this season but the Bees are light on back-ups should either of the duo sustain injuries.

And Herbst told the Bridport News of his efforts to scour the player market for reinforcements up top.

He said: “It’s annoying because we’re struggling for firepower. A few injuries have settled in. We’re actively looking to get a striker in.

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“Tom’s injured and Brad’s now injured from the Axminster game. We’re hoping to get one or two in but it’s finding the right players.

“We don’t want the wrong character upsetting the changing room. That’s what we’re trying to identify. We’re not going to go after any Tom, Dick or Harry.

“We’ve still got a good squad but we’re just a bit concerned with the firepower. We do have goals with Riley in midfield, Sol’s on his best goalscoring form this season.

“We’re very reliant on them and we want to wrap Sol in cotton wool.”

Herbst believes Bridport represent a “great opportunity” for interested strikers to join the club given their success this season.

He added: “We’ve got to look at the bigger picture. We’ve got a big game on Tuesday and January’s a tough month.

“You’ve got to do it the correct way, you’ve got to put the seven days in and then there’s no guarantee they’re going to come anyway.

“It’s very difficult. You’ve got to find someone who can’t be happy sat on the bench.

“Me, Jim (Lukosius, coach) and Locky (Mark Lock, assistant) are actively going through the leagues trying to search.

“What I would say is it’s a great opportunity for someone. I’ve told this to anyone who signs, they’re not guaranteed anything. They have to earn it.

“The opportunity right now is a number nine or 10 shirt sat waiting for someone. If they come and grab it with both hands, you keep that shirt until you have a bad few games.

“At the moment, you look at Bridport and it’s not a bad place to come. We’re in a cup semi-final, another quarter-final and third in the league with games in hand. It’s not too shabby.”

Bridport are also five games unbeaten in all competitions, answering the rallying call Herbst made before 2024 to construct a run of good results.

He said: “We wanted to build a decent run and that’s what we’ve done. We need to kick on.”

Rowe and Richardson are Bridport’s only injury concerns, while James Cox (quad) misses out but is unavailable even if fit.