SWINDON Supermarine manager Dave Webb has challenged his side to improve their away form as they look to achieve their goal of occupying a play-off place in Southern League West over the festive season.

Marine have claimed 22 of a possible 27 points on home turf so far this year but that figure drops to 10 from 24 in matches away from the Webbswood Stadium.

All of that leaves the South Marston side sitting down in eighth spot in the table, although they are only three points adrift of second-placed Bristol Manor Farm.

Supermarine are currently in a run of four successive away games, although last Sunday’s proposed trip to Evesham United was postponed due to the cold weather.

Webb takes his troops to mid- table side North Leigh tomorrow before a trip to lowly Barnstaple Town on Tuesday night and the Marine boss has set his sights on a sizeable points return.

“We wanted to be in the top six at Christmas, that was always the target, and we are virtually there. We have just got to make sure we get in there now,” said Webb.

“We have managed to get our home form back on track, which was a real priority this season, trying to make it more difficult for teams when they come to us.

“Now our away form needs to improve. It was excellent last year and I think we had the best record in the division apart from the champions, Hereford. Now we seem to go on the road and keep dropping points.

“That’s something we need to address in the next two games as they are both away from home.

“I have never seen a bad North Leigh side, it is always a tough game against them.

“We played them in the second game of the season and it was an entertaining draw.

“They want to improve their league position and have got the players to do it. It will be another tough game but anything away from home always is.”

Aaron Woodley, Matt Coupe, Ryan Campbell and Ryan Morgan are all in contention to make their returns from injury on Saturday, while Brad Gray could make another Marine debut after joining the club for a third time earlier this week.

Although frustrated to see the Evesham game fall by the wayside, Webb hopes that a rare weekend without a fixture will have done wonders for the wellbeing of his squad.

“It would have been good to play last weekend and I think if we’d won, we would have gone up to third,” said Webb.

“We have just got to hope the weather improves and Saturday’s game is on as I don’t want to fall even further behind with our games, otherwise you are continually playing catch-up.

“In some ways it might work well for us as it gives those players that were going to come back for the Evesham game another week to get themselves back to even fuller fitness.”