DAVE Webb believes Supermarine’s players have responded to his demands and cleaned up their act on the pitch.

The South Marston chief has hammered home the importance of avoiding bookings for dissent and he reckons the squad have taken the message on board.

Last season in the Southern Premier, Supermarine’s campaign for dogged by multiple red cards and numerous suspensions for cumulative yellow cards.

However, that situation has improved this season and Webb revealed: “I’m quite keen on discipline.

“We’ve spoken to them about it because there’s nothing more frustrating for me than to lose a player for a game for picking up five bookings, four of which are for saying something to an official.

“It costs them money, costs the club money and costs me a player.

“You are always going to get a yellow for a mistimed tackle, I can accept that, but it’s about having a bit of common sense when it comes to talking to referees.

“I think we’ve seen a massive improvement and that comes from the way we are on the bench.

“We all get frustrated with officials. When I was at Highworth (as manager) I got very frustrated with inconsistency, but it also used to frustrate me that managers or benches could influence linesmen and referees. Maybe at this level referees and linesman are more qualified and more experienced and they just run the game.

“We try to keep a lid on it as best we can and try to conduct ourselves in a way where you respect the officials and follow the rules that are there.

“You won’t change the referee’s decision by bellowing at him and I don’t see any benefit in it. I think maybe that goes into the players.”

Supermarine are aiming to take their winning run in Division One South & West to 11 this weekend after they were denied the opportunity on Wednesday, when their clash with North Leigh was postponed.

The Webb’s Wood outfit travel to Merthyr tomorrow as they launch a busy Christmas period, with only Dan Wallington (groin) missing out.

Boss Webb added: “With the small squad we’ve got, it takes everyone to make sure they commit to it and they are there.

“We’re fortunate at the minute in that we only have one injury and no suspensions, and that’s credit to the lads for being fit and not being on the wrong side of referees.

“It’s just a matter of trying to keep everyone there and involved and hopefully that will take us through this spell.”

Elsewhere in the division, Cirencester boss Brian Hughes is in desperate need of Christmas cheer as he bids to turn round the Centurions’ recent run of form.

Ciren host Mangotsfield at the Corinium off the back of a demoralising 6-1 thumping by Bridgwater last weekend.

“We have now lost three in a row and been very poor in all three,” said Hughes.

The boss is missing key players in skipper Jamie Reid, who is both injured and unavailable for three games as he is spending Christmas and new year in New York.

Striker Sam Collier is still struggling with a swollen ankle and Alex Allard remains sidelined with a hamstring problem.