SWINDON Supermarine manager Dave Webb has stressed the importance of staying in the title race this evening amid “the most open season in years”.

With the top four teams in Southern League Division One South & West separated by just two points, any slip-up has the potential to be costly.

Marine, who are currently a point behind leaders Banbury United in third place, now face two pivotal fixtures in their quest for promotion, starting at home to play-off chasing Evesham United at the Webb’s Wood Stadium tonight.

Then on Saturday Marine travel to Winchester City, who were the big losers at the weekend as they dropped from first to fourth with defeat at Banbury.

Second-placed Cinderford Town appear to be in pole position to be crowned champions as they have at least three games in hand on the rest of the top four, and Webb says Marine must just concentrate on keeping their own points tally ticking over.

“You look at the league table and it’s wide open,” said Webb.

“Cinderford are still there to be caught. If they can win their games in hand, they will have a nice cushion at the top but they have got to win those games.

“It’s very tight and the remainder of the teams are very evenly matched, it’s the most open the league is been for a long time.

“All we have got to do is concentrate on the next game, which is Evesham, and if we can win that game it sets us up nicely to go to Winchester at the weekend.

“The next two games are big games against sides that are in the mix. Evesham will certainly still feel they can get into the play-off positions and Winchester will want to respond from a defeat at Banbury, which knocked them off the top.”

Marine eased to a 3-1 win at home to Bridgwater Town at the weekend but Webb was not totally satisfied with that performance and says if his team can’t better that display tonight, they could well see their current 16-game unbeaten league run come to an end.

“It’s really, really important that we improve our performance levels because if we don’t, we won’t do enough to win the game against a good Evesham side,” added Webb.

“They are all big games but against the sides around you at the top of the league, it’s really important that we put in a good performance.”

Josh Parsons could make his comeback from injury this evening, while full-back Ryan Morgan will be assessed after coming off in the latter stages of Saturday’s win.

Meanwhile, Highworth Town entertain Thame United in the Hellenic League Premier Division this evening following their exit from the Supplementary Challenge Cup at the weekend.