MIDFIELDER George Dowling has been marked as a key signing this term by Swindon Supermarine chief Lee Spalding, who tonight will make the short trip west to tackle Yate Town in Southern League.

Dowling, who graduated through Bristol City’s academy, can name Derry City, Torquay and Weston-super-Mare as former clubs before his linked up with the Webbswood Stadium outfit in September.

The 23-year-old has slotted into Spalding’s midfield well, and sparked many an attacking move in the company of fellow eye-catchers Ryan Campbell, Harry Williams and Henry Spalding.

Combine the above with Conor McDonagh’s ruthless scoring spree of late, Marine enter tonight’s key fixture full of confidence.

Spalding said: “Once strikers get a couple, they then start to believe they can score a few more.

“Conor (McDonagh) is in that rich vein of form at the moment – he is free scoring and totally fit having overcome a broken foot.

“It took him a bit of time to get going, but he is now fully fit and flying – and long may that continue.

“Ryan Campbell is playing well, Harry Williams too and Henry Spalding. They all look threatening and are getting good deliveries into the box.

“George Dowling has proven to be a good signing in midfield, he gives us that bit more momentum going forward along with Jamie Edge. We look more of a goal threat.”

Yate aren’t short on confidence either, particularly given the club’s surprise 4-1 win over Taunton Town on Saturday.

Paul Britton’s side put an end to a winless streak that dated back to November 30 when play-off hopefuls Taunton were comprehensively beaten at the Jelf Stadium.

Marine will enter tonight’s tie having not trained since their win on Saturday – and Spalding is certainly wary of the threats Yate can pose.

He added: “In an ideal world, we’d love to train beforehand. But players have been told the game is important.

“Yate beat Taunton on Saturday, so they will be full of confidence. We’ve got to make sure we are relentless and we keep applying ourselves.

“All of those things are earning us wins at the moment, and we can’t afford to take our foot off the gas – regardless of who we are playing.

“We’ve told our players that week in, week out. I don’t want any complacency or time taken up by players thinking we are a good side.

“We’ll be a good side if we work hard, our quality will then show.”