SWINDON Supermarine boss Dave Webb praised Swindon Town loanee Alex Ferguson after the midfielder’s peformance in Marine’s 2-0 against Bridgwater.

Ferguson got the second goal for the Webb’s Wood side in a game that at times was not the prettiest.

Ferguson was featuring in his third game since joining on loan from Town on March 7 and got his first goal for the club in the second half to secure Marine’s win.

The own goal in the first half to give Webb’s side the lead summed up a scrappy game. In the 42nd minute a Bridgwater defender tried to prevent a ball into the box going across goal and diverted past keeper Sam Alexander in the visitor’s goal.

Ferguson’s goal came in the second half after Dave Bampton applied pressure in the Bridgwater box. Alexander was drawn from his goal but he couldn’t clear and the ball fell to Ferguson who put the ball into an empty net.

Speaking to the Advertiser after the game Webb was full of praise for his 19-year-old loanee.

“Alex Ferguson was my man of the match, he was superb. He covered every blade of grass, he’s doing exceptionally well with us.

“It’s nice to have that quality in the side, he’s a first year pro and a year older than the other Swindon lads but they all did well. It’s given me some nice problems for Tuesday’s derby against Cinderford.”

Webb admitted that his side had not been at their best but there were mitagating circumstances as Marine had lost second top-scorer Josh Parsons in the warm-up to a thigh strain.

“It wasn’t a classic game, a bit scrappy to be fair. It’s the worst we’ve played for a couple of weeks,“ said Webb.

“Sometimes playing like that is what you’ve got to do and we were pleased to get the win.”

“We weren’t at our best but we got a clean sheet, I’m really pleased for Sam Warrell in goal, he should have had a few more (clean sheets) recently. We got the 2-0 and it keeps us in that pack.”

The win helps secure Marine in the Southern League Division One South & West play-off places after two of the chasing pack, Mangotsfield and Shortwood, both dropped points.

Webb’s squad face a tough couple of weeks with a packed fixture schedule where they play five games before the end of March.

Webb is confident Marine are in good enough shape to deal with it, and has faith that even if they do lose the odd game they can bounce back.

“We’re in good form at a good time. We were good at bouncing back last year, we did that a lot, winning after a loss. Hopefully we repeat that, stay in good form and maintain that push to finish into the play-offs.”