SUPERMARINE were last night frantically searching for a goalkeeper - not for the first time this season - ahead of their Southern Premier trip to Leamington this evening.

Marine have lost the services of Kent Kauppinen after the young stopper was jailed for assault, while stand-in Jason Hull, who was sent off in Saturday’s 6-0 defeat to Chesham, is unavailable tonight.

Joint bosses Gary Horgan and Matt Robinson have been beset by goalkeeping problems this season, with Hartpury College stopper Ash Harrison another who filled the berth, only to be sidelined with broken fingers.

In spite of the fact that the stopper situation continues to trouble the club, Horgan remains positive that avoiding the drop is possible.

Marine are currently six points from safety with seven games to go and the joint boss said: “After we found out about Kent’s unavailability we made 20 phone calls to try and get another goalkeeper, so it’s not for the want of trying.

“It’s a key position and we look to have some continuity in that area. We’re looking to get someone that can commit and provide something more stable and long-term.”

He added: “I’m not defeatist about it, I still think if we can win four games then I think we’ll stay up.

“We’re not waiting for relegation to happen, we still believe we can stay up and we wouldn’t be paying money every week if we didn’t.”

Midfielder Rob Dean is suspended and defenders Danny Allen and Jon Beeden are unavailable for the journey to the New Windmill Ground tonight.

Horgan continued: “It’s a tricky place to go and even more so when you’re scrabbling round for a goalkeeper.

“They were on a bad run where they went 11 league games without a win, but they have picked up in the last couple of weeks.”

Lower down the league ladder in the Hellenic Premier, Shrivenham visit Shortwood while Highworth host Reading at the Elms.

Highworth boss Dave Webb said: “After the disappointment of the Wilts Senior Cup at Calne, we need to bounce back.

“Reading are one of those sides who can beat anyone on their day, and they will be determined to seek revenge for when we beat them in October.”

Ritchie Saunders and Dan Wallington are both suspended but Webb has no other injury or unavailability concerns.

Meanwhile, Highworth and Shrivenham are attempting to rearrange their league derby on Easter Monday to the Saturday two days before.