Saturday, March 2 . Pitching In Southern League, Premier Division South
Swindon Supermarine v Tiverton Town
The Webbswood Stadium . 3pm
THE relegation-threatened sides’ two previous meetings resulted in a league draw at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium and an FA Trophy exit for the Yellows at the Webbswood. These games were played in consecutive weekends at the end of September and beginning of October and were a short way into manager Stuart Fleetwood's reign.
The outcome of this game could prove to be significant at the season's end and anything other than a victory for Tiverton will make their fight for survival in the division that much harder.
Supermarine have had a poor sequence of results since mid-January, but they stemmed a worrying tide by overcoming another team who have become dragged into trouble at the bottom end of the table, Hanwell Town. In winning that game 2-1 away from home, our hosts will be hoping to build on that today.
Marine, who were adrift along with Didcot early into the campaign, had really turned things around and had elevated themselves out of the bottom four. Although that recent dip in form means that they sit a place above the drop zone and are four points ahead of us, we do have three games in hand. Fleetwood, who replaced Leigh Spalding a little way into the season, had, before that, masterminded a significant upturn in performances and results.
The capture of Dave Sims-Burgess from Taunton has given the hosts a proven goalscorer and his finishing has played a crucial part in their transformation. The former Bath City striker has bagged 12 goals from 17 games since joining from the Peacocks. The return of Harry Williams to the club also needs to be noted. The gifted attacking player had an outstanding season for Marine last term, with a goal a game in 34 appearances.
Forest Green loanee goalkeeper Flachra Pagel has made a very good impression since moving to the Webbswood recently, and vastly experienced centre-back Ioan Richards is an important player in their back line. Earlier on in his career, he earned a professional contract with Cheltenham Town and has since gone on to represent Taunton, Yate and Redditch.
The Yellows have been boosted by the arrival of fan favourite Alex Fletcher and the extension to Joe Parker’s loan from Gloucester City. This will have given a lift to the squad and its loyal supporters.
Because of the team’s inactivity with games being postponed, captain Jamie Richards still remains suspended and Jack Veale remains absent through injury.
Leigh Robinson and his players will be all too aware of the task in hand, later. We are now at the business end of the season and every game has the same measure of importance.
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