SWINDON Supermarine manager Dave Webb believes next season began last night as his side clinched the Wiltshire Senior Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

A 2-1 win over Hellenic Premier Division side and local rivals Highworth Town was enough for Webb’s side to lift the trophy at the County Ground.

However, they were given a scare early on as a former player returned to haunt them in the form of Ashley Edenborough, when Kent Kauppinen’s long kick forward set him away one-on-one with Connor Johns before slotting the ball home.

However, Josh Parsons’ free-kick from inside the D saw Southern League Division One South & West side Marine back level before the break.

Ash Taylor was up from the back to convert from a corner shortly after the restart and despite Highworth being reduced to 10 men with 15 minutes to play, Aysa Corrick seeing red, Jeff Roberts’ side gave their opposition quite a scare.

“It was always going to be a tough game, I knew it would be tonight,” said a champagne-soaked Webb.

“They are a good side and they got about us, as I expected, and it had a bit of spirit in the game.

“We knew it was going to be difficult and I am glad we came out on top. It is important to get a win and win a trophy as well this season.

“I felt that we have had a good season, we are work in progress, I know that, but I am really pleased that with have won the Wilts Senior Cup.

“I am pleased for the players, they deserve that tonight. They have kept going and it could have gone either way but I’m really happy that we’ve managed to get the win.”

Having missed out on a top-five spot in the league this season, Webb will be forced to watch the play-off final from the stands on Bank Holiday Monday, but believes he has the core of a side who will be able to compete for promotion next term.

“We know what we need, we have got some good players at the club,” he added.

“I think we need to bring just a couple of others in just to make us a bit stronger in certain areas.

“The nucleus of what I want is here, we just have to keep working hard.

“I said to them before the game, the season doesn’t end today, it starts today. This is the start of something different now and we know what we need to do next season.

“I shall go and watch the play-off final on Monday and start preparing now for a new season and one that I really want this team to challenge in.”