DAVE Webb is in no doubt that his Swindon Supermarine players deserve a firm round of pats on the back for navigating the first month of the season in ‘fantastic’ fashion.

After tackling eight assignments in the opening five weeks of the season, Marine are currently fourth in Division One South and West and have safely steered themselves into the first qualifying round of the FA Cup.

In September, the volume of games eases up but Webb is warning that the bar remains raised just as high in terms of difficulty. Tomorrow Marine make the trip to Tiverton Town, who like their weekend visitors are on an unbeaten run.

“We’ve got the first month out of the way and I think that players deserve a lot of credit for what they’ve done,” said the Webb’s Wood boss.

“We had one blip against Bishops Cleeve (a 2-1 loss on August 15) but we’ve got through an important FA Cup game (against Sholing) and have done well in the league – it’s been fantastic.

“The first month is always difficult because you’re playing on a Saturday and then in midweek every week but we’ve come through it.

“We’ve may only have one midweek game in September but that doesn’t mean that it’s going to be easier.

“Tiverton will be in the mix for the play-offs this season. They’ve got an excellent manager (Martyn Rogers), good players and are a well-supported club.

“Games against them are always competitive. Last season, we were 2-0 up there before they pegged us back and we drew 2-2.

“After that, we play Winchester in the FA Cup, and they’re a side doing very well, and then we go to North Leigh, who are unbeaten at the moment.

“Then we’ve got games against Marlow and Slimbridge - they are unknown quantities.”

Defenders Ash Taylor and Ryan Morgan could be fit to come back in to the Marine squad for this weekend’s trip to Ladysmead whilst winger Josh Morse is also close to a return to fitness but Webb is less optimistic over his chances of featuring against Tiverton.

Midfielder Sam Morris is also ruled out with a suspected hamstring injury.