DAVE Webb was happy to tick off another marker in Swindon Supermarine’s quest for promotion as they easily swept aside bottom side Bashley 5-0 at home on Saturday.

It has been a season of struggle for the Hampshire club, who have picked up just two points in Division One South & West this term and travelled to the Webb’s Wood Stadium on the back of an 11-0 thrashing at Taunton Town in midweek.

Many would have been expecting Marine to rack up a similar one-sided scoreline but in foul weather conditions, five goals were enough for Webb as his side remain safely in the play-off places.

“The games when you play the teams at the bottom are never what you expect,” said Webb.

“Having spoken to their manager, they only had one player against us that went to Taunton in midweek, so it was more like themselves.

“In the last two weeks, we’ve played the bottom two sides and scored seven goals. Some might say that’s not enough but at the end of the day, all I am concerned about is winning games.

“Clean sheets are always important and we’ve got another one, and scored five goals.

“It’s very difficult when the conditions are cold, wet and windy but we’ve done our job. We set out to win the game and that’s what we have done. I can’t ask for any more from the lads.”

Josh Parsons led the way for Marine with a hat-trick, opening the scoring early on before doubling the lead before half-time with a free-kick, with Bashley keeper Joe Promodo also sent off for the challenge.

Parsons completed his treble from the penalty spot soon after the restart, while Ashley Taylor was also on target before Marine’s lot was wrapped up by a Gary Rogers own goal.

Webb added: “It doesn’t matter how you win. At this stage of the season it is just about winning.

“I try to take positives from every game and there were lots. It was good to see Josh Parsons back scoring three goals, we got valuable minutes into players that haven’t played that much recently, and there was another clean sheet for Harvey Rivers.”

The win leaves Marine fourth in the table, three points behind table-toppers Cinderford Town, who have two games in hand.

With the top five in the table separated by just six points, Webb is targeting another victory at Mangotsfield United on Easter Monday (kick-off 3pm) before they face a huge clash at the league leaders next weekend.

“We look forward to Monday. We need to try to go there and win and if we can do that, we go to Cinderford next week and who knows what the importance of that game will be,” said Webb.

“It is an extremely exciting time. The top five are all within six points. It’s never been so tight.

“Any team that can keep winning can win the league. Every single team in the top five can still win it and it’s amazing that with six games left, we are still in with a shout.”