SOUTHERN LEAGUE: Marine go third with Sholing win (From This Is Wiltshire)

SUPERMARINE moved up to third in Division One South & West after a comfortable 3-1 home win over Sholing on Saturday.

The Webb’s Wood side went a goal down just seven minutes in when Byron Mason was given space in the box and he glanced a header under stopper Kent Kauppinen.

However, eight minutes later the hosts were level as Ash Edenborough went down in the box following a push and Josh Parsons stepped up to convert his 15th league goal of the season.

Midway through the first period Marine went in front for the first time. Parsons lost the ball but quickly won it back and instantly played in Edenborough, who slotted into the far corner.

With half-time moments away, Jamie Prictor’s corner was scrambled away to the edge of the box, and Chris Taylor was there to send home a superb volley through a crowd of players.

No further goals followed in the second period as Marine nullified the threat of their visitors.

Boss Dave Webb said: “We conceded a sloppy goal from a set piece early on which I felt we should have dealt with, but nobody took responsibility in the box.

“The reaction was superb and it was our best team performance in a number of weeks - the way we passed the ball, took our chances, our togetherness as a team and the speed we got the ball back.

“The penalty was a long way from where we were. Ash was away from the defender and the ref was in the perfect position to give it. He said there was a push from behind and Josh finished coolly.

“I suppose the second goal was a bit lucky but then Chris Taylor showed great technique for the third.

“The second half was really all about seeing the game through and not giving them any chance to get back in the game.”

Marine moved into third courtesy of Merthyr’s 2-1 defeat at Paulton, but the South Marston side’s points cushion in the play-offs remains at nine.

“It can all change,” continued Webb.

“There are 16 games to play and a lot of points to play for. We aren’t in there yet.

“We had a good February with 13 points out of 18 in the league and that’s the sort of ratio we need to keep going.”

Elsewhere in the division, Cirencester were also easy winners as they cruised home 3-1 against visitors Clevedon.

Ben Wells picked out Shane Bumphrey for the opener seconds after the break, before Sam Collier’s deep cross found Aidan Bennett, who had plenty of time to pick his spot.

Wells then scored direct from a corner with the outside of his right boot, and sub Dan Williams’ goal was too little, too late for Clevedon.

In the Southern Premier, Chippenham are still searching for their first league win since December 1, after Scott Hadland’s late header gave visitors Barwell a point.

Two minutes earlier Lee Phillips’ penalty appeared to have won it for the home side but the score ended 1-1 at Hardenhuish Park.