NEITHER side has anything to play for but fireworks will still be expected when Supermarine host Chippenham today on the final afternoon of the Southern League season.

Both clubs are safely nestled in the top half of the Premier Division yet the chances of a friendly exhibition seem slim given the number of confrontations and cards in recent meetings between the rivals.

But Marine caretaker boss Gary Horgan - a former Chippenham player - insists there is no festering tension among the players.

“I don’t think there is any bad blood between the sides,” he said.

“All the former Marine players they have got have left on good terms or with good reason and are still friendly with some of the lads here.

“It’s just a case of people sometimes getting a bit carried away with it being a local derby.

“There’s the old cliche of local bragging rights but for us the motivation is to finish the season in the same sort of fashion we’ve played in our last two games - particularly the win at Brackley which was the best performance since we took over.”

Horgan attributes Marine’s recent recovery to the return of Sam Morris and Dave Bampton, who will both feature today. Reading youngsters Carl McHugh and Dave Murphy also return to a fully-fit squad.

Chippenham warmed up for the derby with a 1-0 home win over Cambridge, ex-Marine man Alan Griffin netted a late winner. Cirencester were held to a 0-0 draw at home by a Didcot side still fighting to beat relegation.

The pressing issue at the business end of the table was decided as Truro’s 3-0 win at Banbury took the title to Cornwall.