A DEPLETED Swindon Supermarine begin their defence of the Wiltshire Senior Cup tonight with a visit from Ludgershall Sports.

Dave Webb’s side were already missing Aaron Woodley and top scorer Josh Parsons through injury before Jon Else and Ash Taylor suffered facial injuries during Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Southern League West leaders Taunton Town, while skipper Zac Westlake also hobbled off.

And while Webb knows that tonight’s opponents, who ply their trade in the Wiltshire League, will not be the hardest test for his side this term, he isn’t prepared to risk anyone unless they are 100 per cent fit.

“We have got Aaron Woodley and Josh Parsons injured anyway, Ash Taylor and Jon Else clearly won’t be involved after what happened against Taunton – I may have to get my boots out myself,” Webb said.

“Zac Westlake is also struggling with his groin, so he is a doubt, we aren’t going to have lots of choices.

“Maybe we bring back a couple of the lads (Ben Lodge and Antonio Gerrish) on loan at Bassett – they are in the same competition, so we don’t want to get them cup-tied.”

On Parsons’ injury, Webb added: “We just have to see how he goes, he didn’t do anything last week, we think it might be his medial ligaments.

“We have to make sure that he is 100 per cent right, he is our top scorer.

“We need him fit and playing, but there is no point bringing him back if he is not fit. We’ll just have to wait and then bring him back into the squad.

“We are hopeful of getting someone in this week, there is nothing concrete at the moment, but we have made a few calls and we are just waiting to hear back.”

Elsewhere in the Senior Cup first round, Hellenic League Premier Division leaders Highworth Town make the trip to Wessex League Division One team Downton, while new Wiltshire League side Bassett Bulldogs host Steve Claridge’s Southern League West outfit Salisbury.

Highworth boss Jeff Roberts said: “We made the final last year but that season was all about building a side, which we have done now.

“Everyone wants to do well in the cup competitions and we are the same but it is a little bit of a distraction for us with how well we are doing in the league.

“We will make a few changes and there are players in the reserves who have been pushing, so this is a chance to chuck them in and see what they can do.”

In an all-Western League Division One clash, Malmesbury Victoria make the trip to Calne, while reigning Wiltshire League champions Wroughton make the trip to Laverstock and Ford, who currently top the table in Division One of the Wessex League.