SWINDON Supermarine manager Dave Webb was over the moon to start the new year with a five-star performance away to Wantage Town.

Marine made the short trip to Oxfordshire and had the game all but wrapped up by the break as Connor Thompson, Josh Parsons and Brad Hooper, from the penalty spot, put the visitors in control.

Callum Parsons added to the tally shortly after the interval before Hooper got his second of the game, again from the spot, with one of the last kicks of the match.

“I understand there was a lot of rain in this area (on Sunday), so I was a bit concerned the game might be off,” said Webb.

“The pitch was really difficult for us and the way we want to play but credit to the players.

“We have managed to still play some nice stuff at times, scored five goals, kept a clean sheet, which is really important after the last game at North Leigh, where we conceded some poor goals.

“It was never going to be easy. They are not going to roll over and let you play.

“We had to get the ball into the front two and then play off them and get people in and around their box – you can keep nice possession around the halfway line but it’s not really threatening them.

“We had to take the game to them, especially given their position in the league and our ambition to finish as high in this league as we possibly can.

“After 15 minutes, I thought we managed to do that a lot better.

“I obviously withdrew some players early in the second half to give three lads from the bench 35 minutes each and I thought they went on and did well.

“All round, it (was) a perfect day for us. No injuries, on a difficult surface, five goals, three points.

“It was a game we had to win after the last two results. We’ve managed to do that and we are in good form.”

Webb was particularly impressed with Callum Parsons, who played a pivotal role in the first half performance and knows he will be an important player moving forward.

“I thought Callum Parsons was excellent today,” he added. “He is playing well at the moment and is really important to the team, hence why I withdrew him early.

“He didn’t want to come off – he hates coming off. At that stage, for me, the game was virtually over.

“He was withdrawn to keep him injury-free for the games we have got coming up.”

Meanwhile, Chippenham Town twice came from behind as goals from Matt Smith and Alex Ferguson earned a point in a 2-2 draw with Frome Town.

The visitors to Hardenhuish Park opened the scoring when they capitalised on Ferguson handling the ball and from the resulting free-kick, Jake Jackson headed home.

The hosts were on level terms when Smith found the bottom corner before Mike Bryant put Frome back ahead before the break.

However, Ferguson was able to salvage a point for the hosts in the 78th minute.