SWINDON Supermarine boss Lee Spalding is more than happy with his squad’s progress both on and off the pitch with three weeks to go ahead of the new Southern League season.

Spalding's side held League Two side Forest Green Rovers to a 2-2 draw in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday night and then discovered their opening fixture for life back in the Southern League Premier Division yesterday.

Marine will begin the campaign on home turf against Tiverton Town on Saturday, August 11.

Highworth Town will also start life as a Southern League club at home and will welcome AFC Totton to the Save on Tyres Stadium in their maiden match in Division One South on Saturday, August 18.

Jeff Roberts’ side were promoted from the Hellenic League Premier Division last season, although they actually open the new campaign in the FA Cup a week prior to their first league fixture, travelling to Windsor in the extra-preliminary round.

Having seen Conor McDonagh and Josh Parsons score for Marine against Forest Green in midweek, Spalding is now looking forward to start of the competitive action.

He said: “The new players that have come in have all settled in and done really well.

“All the lads that were with us last season have come in and got themselves fit. It’s looking promising when we look towards the season.

“There are still a few decisions I’ve got to make regarding positions – I might have to cut the squad by two or three.

“We’ve got quite a few injuries at the moment due to pre-season and getting back into it.

“It’s so important I make the right decisions and keep the right players, which is going to be tricky.

“At the end of the day, it’s about making sure we have a squad of 20 players that are pushing themselves for a starting place in the team.”

Following their home clash against Tiverton, Marine go on the road for the first time to Merthyr Town on Tuesday, August 14.

Away days at Metropolitan Police and Wiltshire rivals Salisbury also take place in the opening month, with a home game against Wimborne Town sandwiched in between those.

Marine welcome Steve Claridge’s Salisbury on Boxing Day, while they go on the road on New Year’s Day, travelling to Hartney Wintney.

The campaign is rounded off on Saturday, April 27 with a trip to Hendon.

Starting the season with a win against a tough Tiverton outfit is part of Spalding’s plan as he begins to establish what can be learnt from pre-season.

He said: “Tiverton will be a tough game, they’re always a strong side.

“We’ll make sure we’re ready, and it’s a home game, which is fantastic. A win is our target.”

For Highworth, after their Windsor and Totton openers, they have their first away day in the league on Wednesday, August 22 when they go to Slimbridge.

Festive games include a trip to Cirencester Town on Boxing Day before Highworth start 2019 at home as Evesham visit Wiltshire on New Year’s Day.

The Worthians’ season is rounded off on Saturday, April 27 at home to Fleet Town.