Collier set to make changes

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Tuesday 10th Jan 2006.

MARK Collier has urged his fringe players to take their big chance tonight as Swindon Supermarine bid for a place in the final of the Wiltshire Premier Shield.

The Marine boss takes a much changed side to Chippenham Town, with one eye on Saturday's Southern League Division One top of the table clash at home to Ashford, but insists he is still taking the competition seriously.

The men from Hunts Copse go into tonight's semi final second leg with a slender one goal lead and, with five or six changes expected, Collier believes it is the ideal chance for his squad players to stake their claim for a regular slot.

He said: "It is a great chance for the fringe players to show what they can do.

"They deserve their opportunity as it has not been easy to involve a few in recent weeks.

"We have had no chance of arranging friendlies because of the weather and with us playing so well at the moment it has been hard to change it round.

"It is a long season and with the games coming thick and fast I have no doubt everyone will be needed in the coming months."

Saturday's 2-0 win at high flyers Willenhall saw Marine move to within four points of leaders Ashford, with a game in hand.

"Getting some of the lads who have not featured recently a full 90 minutes will be great for the rest of the season," said Collier.

"We need everyone in the squad ready and fit for when they are needed.

"If we can get a good result tonight then the current confidence in the squad will stay.

"Credit to Chippenham they are having a fantastic season, and it is great news for the county to have three teams near the top in the Southern League, in ourselves, Chippenham and Salisbury."

Matt Rawlins will make his debut for Chippenham tonight as Bluebirds' boss Darren Perrin also shuffles his pack.

The striker returns to Hardenhuish after a three year absence after sealing a switch from Conference South outfit Weston Super Mare.

Rawlins, 30, helped Town to successive promotions from the Western League to the Southern League top flight before moving to Yate in 2003.

Iain Harvey, Ian Herring, Sam Allison, Dave Gilroy and Steve Perrin will all be rested.

The winners will face either Swindon Town or Salisbury City in the final in April.

Archive Home