SUPERMARINE will not let league positions distract them this weekend as manager Dave Webb says that the battle for survival has already begun in the Evo-Stik League Southern Division One South & West table.

The South Marston side host bottom of the league Bishops Cleeve tomorrow at the Webb’s Wood Stadium but Webb is not going to take his opponents lightly – especially after the manner in which they lost last weekend when they threw away a two-goal lead to an Evesham side who had ten men, including an outfield player playing in goal.

“It’s been a long week, really,” said Webb.

“We spoke about it at training and it has gone and we have drawn a line under it and we move on.

“Hopefully it is a learning curve for some of our younger players who haven’t experienced that before and they will be better for that.

“It was a difficult afternoon for us but it is finished now and we have to move on and try to start another little unbeaten run at home if we can.”

With no midweek game Supermarine have had a full week to prepare for this weekend’s fixture.

Marine completed a comfortable 4-0 win over Bishops Cleeve back in October but Webb is prepared for a different battle this time out with their opponents sitting at the bottom of the league table.

“We won’t be underestimating Bishops Cleeve. They have been bringing players in and I think the fight for survival is starting to kick in,” he added.

“I think all the sides down there seem to be now trying to get enough points to make sure they stay in the league so they will be coming to try and get a positive result.

“Wantage have picked up a few positive results and nobody wants to finish in the bottom two so they will be coming to try and win the game.”

Luke Hopper, who scored in the away win earlier in the season, is set to return from a two-week lay-off to help bolster the Marine front-line.

Chris Taylor went off last weekend with a thigh injury but is another hoping to make a return to the side along with Mark Flanagan and Sam Morris “We’re starting to get a couple more players back so the selection of the team is getting better. We’ve got more options,” said the Supermarine boss.

“We’ve only got five or six players out injured so we are getting players back.

“Luke Hopper should be okay this weekend and he was doing very well for us until he got injured two weeks ago, so it will be good to welcome him back.

“Sam Morris, who has been out for six weeks, could be okay but it might be too early to risk him in a full game but he might make the 16.”