SWINDON Supermarine boss Dave Webb has backed tonight’s opponents North Leigh to make a late charge for the Division One South & West play-offs.

The Oxfordshire side sit 14th in the league having played 23 games, while high-flying Marine are fourth on 42 points having played three fewer matches.

But Webb believes that matters little when the two sides clash tonight, and knows his players are going to be in for a tough evening as they continue to push for promotion back to the Southern Premier.

“North Leigh are a very talented side with very talented players, and for me they are very much in a false position because on their day they can beat any side in this division,” he said.

“They have shown that in the past, so we are under no illusions as to how difficult it is going to be. I know their management well and their aspirations were to be at least in the play-offs, so they will be disappointed with where they are.

"Yate have had a bad start and were in a false position, but have had eight straight wins which have put them on the verge of the play-offs That just goes to show that if you put a series of results together you can put yourselves right back in the mix.

“I’m sure the North Leigh guys will be desperate to start a run to get them into those play-off positions, and it is still not beyond them.”

Bad weather has meant Marine have played nine games less than league leaders Hungerford, and Webb believes his side have suffered by not having regular game time.

“We are desperate to get a game on, so we will be hoping the weather is kind to us although the forecast is a little bit wet,” he said.

“There were covers on the pitch yesterday to try and make sure this game goes ahead, so fingers crossed that all goes to plan because we really need to get some games on.

“We are ready to play and keen to play, and we just need a run of games playing because it is so stop-start, and we just can’t get any momentum going which perhaps has been a problem.”

Dave Bampton and Sam Morris are both set to play despite picking up knocks, but Jordan Roberts is likely to miss out with a badly bruised foot.

Also this evening, Highworth travel to Cheltenham Saracens in the third round of the Floodlit Cup.

In last night’s non-league action, Shrivenham drew 3-3 away at Slimbridge in the Hellenic Premier thanks to goals from Josh Fowler (2) and Lee Mills.

In Southern League Division One South & West, Cirencester won 1-0 at home to Mangotsfield.