SWINDON Supermarine manager Dave Webb has lavished praise on his trio of Swindon Town loanees for their contributions since arriving at the Webb’s Wood Stadium.

First-year professional Alex Ferguson and second-year scholars Matty Jones and Curtis Da Costa have all gained valuable gametime from their loan stints at the Southern League Division One South & West side since making the temporary switch earlier this month, and Webb is hopeful he will be able to secure their services for the rest of the campaign, as Marine try to consolidate a play-off berth.

Da Costa played 90 minutes for the first time on Tuesday, as Webb’s team beat high-flying Cirencester Town 1-0 at the Corinium Stadium, while Ferguson and Jones have featured regularly over the past two weeks, and the Marine boss has been delighted by what he has seen so far.

“They’ve settled in brilliantly,” he said.

“It takes a bit of time – two second-year scholars and Alex Ferguson, who’s a first-year pro. Matty Jones started (on Tuesday) and had a good hour and Curtis started and played his first full 90 and did exceptionally well.

“They’re all doing well, they’re all a pleasure to deal with.

“They’ve all come in and given me options in the three or four positions that we can play them and it’s allowing me to give some players a rest and play different teams in different games to deal with the amount of games we’ve got in a short period of time.

“They’ve been an absolute breath of fresh air. They are three new signings and to get all three in one go, when they’re all Swindon lads, has been great. I’m really pleased to have them and hopefully we can have them for the remainder of the season and we can get into those play-offs and do well again.”

Marine’s link with Town is certainly paying dividends for Webb this term, with Jones, Ferguson and Da Costa following in the footsteps of Kayden Jackson, who scored goals for fun in South Marston during his loan sting at the club before the turn of the year.

“We’ve had Kayden earlier in the season, who did exceptionally well, and he’s gone on to do well elsewhere. These three are showing all the attributes that they can do exactly the same,” said Webb.

“It’s good for them. They’re coming in and playing. Jamie Pitman was there (on Tuesday) watching them and I’m sure he’s gone away happy that they’ve all done well and contributed and learning the game. It’s great for their progression but we haven’t got the biggest squad in the world and it’s given us some impetus and everyone is fighting to play. That’s great and it’s only going to be good for the remaining games we’ve got.”

Marine will look to consolidate third spot in the table when they face Fleet Town this weekend.