SWINDON skipper Mike Thompson believes having strength in depth is crucial if his men are to avoid relegation from South West One East.

Thompson’s side are three points clear of drop-bound Marlow ahead of tomorrow’s fixture against Stratford-Upon-Avon.

While Stratford are unlikely to be either promoted or relegated this season, Swindon will be looking to expand on their rich run of form to boost their survival credentials.

Thompson said: “Stratford are a good team.

“We played them earlier in the season at our place, but they’ll present a different challenge on their patch.

“It will be interesting to see how they play at home.

“It’s a good game for us to target as a win. We want and need points to climb away from that bottom three.”

Winning three of their last four games has provided Swindon with a timely boost ahead of the league run-in.

And Thompson believes that consistency has been key to the club’s success.

However they’ll be forced into making two changes this weekend following a pair of injuries sustained against Wimborne on Saturday, a game which Swindon won 19-10.

Thompson said: “We’re in a good run of form at the moment, I think consistency has been the key for us.

“We picked up a couple of injuries in the early parts of the season but in the past few weeks our squad has been the same, which makes it easier to play together.

“Having strength in depth in any squad at this level is crucial. Having guys behind you that can step up is massive.

“The team does chop and change from time to time, but the lads understand the position we are in.”

Old Patesians have a 13-point lead at the top of the division ahead of chasing Banbury and Chippenham.

And Thompson admitted the teams at the top have been ‘class’ this season and cannot be underestimated.

“There are a few teams at the top of the league that are running away with it,” he said.

“They’re very good teams. And that’s what you need to be if you want to win this league.

“Every team is a threat, and if you don’t think that you’re likely to be on the end of a bad result.”

Elsewhere, Swindon College Old Boys host Marlborough in Southern Counties South, while Supermarine go to Combe Down in Dorset & Wilts One North.