BRIDGWATER Town manager Richard Fey praised the attitude and commitment of his squad following a 5-1 pre-season victory over Street on Saturday.

The Robins scored four goals in the final half an hour against Street, with Daine O'Connor netting a hat-trick, to kick off the new season in emphatic style - and Fey believes his side are well set to consolidate their position in Calor League South & West again this season.

He said: “We've been back in training for a few weeks now and the lad's attitudes have superb - and the levels of fitness they are showing are really impressive. It shows, because we scored four goals in the last half an hour on Saturday.

“I've been asked to keep the club in the division again this season and I'm confident we can do that, especially with the new lads and the ones who have decided to stay.”

The club recently announced a list of arrivals and departures for the new campaign, with Tom Knighton, Karl Tooze, Jack Allward, Nathan Rudge, Karim Rendall, Andy Robertson, Scott Thomas, Craig Allan and Tyne Govier all opting to re-sign with the Robins - while Ollie Chamberlain and Callum Laird have arrived at Fairfax Park from Weston and Wellington respectively.

Mitchell Page, Alex Faux, Sam Alexander, Jake Mawford, James Pilling, Geraint Bater and Danny Greaves have all decided to leave - but Fey says he has been “overwhelmed” by the number of players choosing to stay.

He said: “With the budget being cut by half for this season, we weren't sure who would be sticking around, but the lads that have stayed, I've been overwhelmed by, because it shows they are staying for the right reasons.”

Town crank up their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Bristol City at Fairfax Park next Saturday (July 19) - and the manager is hoping for a big turn out from the club's supporters.

He said: “We really want to see a big crowd on Saturday, that's why we arranged the friendly, to get the crowds in. City took a full team to Portishead a few weeks back, so we're hoping they will do the same for us.”

Kickoff is 3pm at Fairfax Park.