DAVE Webb reckons Swindon Supermarine’s free-scoring form at home will count for nothing when Shortwood United come to town on Saturday.

Marine have notched nine goals in their last two outings at the Webb’s Wood Stadium as part of their five-game unbeaten start to the new season.

However, Shortwood have already picked up two wins on their travels this term, so another comfortable afternoon is far from assured in South Marston.

Although Webb would like nothing more than to sign off the opening month of the season with an unblemished record, the fact that Marine are also due to travel to North Leigh on Bank Holiday Monday means there is no chance of early complacency creeping in.

“We always said we wanted to go through August and try to stay unbeaten. We have won a few games and with a couple more to go, we are still unbeaten,” said Webb.

“I am really pleased with the start we have made but the games we have got coming up this weekend will be a real test and we are going to have to be at our best if we are to stay unbeaten.

“The two games Shortwood have lost have been to Taunton and Hereford – two teams we would expect to be up in the play-offs at the end of the season – and the two games they have won have been away from home.

“They will enjoy coming to the Webb’s Wood and it’s going to be a tough game. They have got a good team and they have got a partnership up front. They always play the right way.

“We are going to have to reach a really high level and match the consistency that we have shown in the first few games.”

Marine have found life pretty easy so far this season and although Webb is not entertaining the thought of a first defeat, he says how his players respond in adversity will be crucial to determining how successful they can be.

“Winning is a great habit to have but we are not getting carried away. It’s still very early days and there is a long way to go,” said Webb.

“We will lose a game. That’s inevitable and when we do that, I want to see a different side of us that we haven’t had to show so far.

“If we go behind, how do we react? Do we dig in and still get ourselves a result. When we lose, how do we go into our next game?

“That’s something we have always been very good at but it’s not something we are thinking about at the moment. We want to keep this run going as long as we can.”

Defender Ryan Morgan is missing for Marine again this weekend having also sat out last Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing of Toolstation League side Odd Down in the FA Cup, while forward Josh Parsons serves the final two games of his suspension.