Bridport 0, Bradford Town 1 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bridport 0, Bradford Town 1

STEVE Roddy's late strike earned Bradford their first ever Toolstation League Division One win on Saturday after being handed a new role by boss Mark Hodkinson.

The former Corsham Town striker has been struggling for form this season but has been revitalised in the last couple of matches, playing just behind the front two.

Roddy was in prolific mood during pre-season but struggled to form a partnership with summer signing Steve Tweddle once the season got underway.

After an early defeat, Roddy was dropped to the bench but has since re-introduced himself as an attacking midfielder.

Hodkinson revealed Roddy has been a revelation since playing just behind the front two, Tweddle and Mike Little.

He said: "Steve did really well in pre-season but I think he and Steve Tweddle are too similar to be playing up front together. They are both quite quick and like running the channels and it wasn't really working.

"By playing him behind the front two he has been given a freeish role and he seems to be relishing it. We still want him to work back with the midfield but he is the one expected to push on and support the forwards.

"He has listened to everything we have told him and is more than earning his place."

After a disatrous start to the season that saw them ship 14 goals in their first two games, Bradford have gradually acclimatised to the step up in standard and Hodkinson hopes Saturday's win will take some of the pressure of his players.

He said: "It was very nice to get that first win and I am pleased for the players more than anyone. They have been getting quite a bit of stick from other players in the area and hopefully this will quieten them down. They all know the Trowbridge Town lot and I think the last couple of weeks have been very hard for them.

"They deserved the stick they were getting but at least now we have that first win.

"I am not going to count my chickens though because we know we have still got a long way to go. If they can put that effort into every game though I think we will become a hard team to beat.

"We have scored in every game and kept a clean sheet on Saturday which was particularly pleasing."

Bradford travel to Saltash tomorrow with Hodkinson still looking to add a central defender to his squad.

He said: "I tried to bring Nigel Tripp over here but he decided he had to much work on and so I will have to look elsewhere.

"I am still looking fot an experienced cemtre half but the problem is so are alot of other teams and there are not too many of them to go round.

"I am not going to rush out and just bring anyone in. They have to be better than what I already have and that is the problem.

"Saltash will be a very difficult place to go and being honest I would be absolutely delighted if we got anything out of the game at all."