SWINDON Supermarine manager Dave Webb says that promotion to the top tier of the Southern League remains his side's main aim when the new season kicks off.

Marine, who have been beaten in the Division One South & West play-offs for two successive years, got their pre-season preparations underway with their annual showpiece friendly against Swindon Town at the Webb's Wood on Saturday.

All four of Webb's summer signings featured in the 3-0 loss to Swindon's stars and the Marine boss was buoyed by his new boys' showings.

“It's a tough league but we've had two really good seasons. We've got to the play-offs back-to-back and lost to Merthyr both times,” said Webb.

“Our ambition will be no different – we want to get the best team that we can here, within the structure that we've got, and try to play the game in a way that people like to watch us.

“Our principles won't change and hopefully we can get a good enough team together to be challenging for the play-offs again, as a minimum.

“Ross Adams has joined us from Basingstoke, which is a fantastic signing for the club. The back was an area we needed to strengthen, so we're really happy to get him in.

“Dan Drewitt did really good on the right side of midfield and Ryan Stanners showed some nice touches up front. Joe Shepherd was tenacious in midfield and he was disappointed with how he played but I thought he did well.”

The majority of Swindon's first-team squad featured against Marine, who were beaten 3-0 thanks to goals from Michael Smith, Massimo Luongo and trialist Khalil Lambin.

But the Southern League outfit did create chances and there were plenty of positives for Webb.

He added: “I'm really pleased with the performance – I thought we did well.

“We were up against a strong Swindon side, especially in the first half, and the only disappointment is that we didn't get the ball in the net – with our performance, we deserved at least one.

“Overall, it's all about the way the club's put the day on. The pitch is in fantastic condition, it's been played in a good spirit and it's a good day for Swindon Town and a good day for Swindon Supermarine, that will benefit us both.”