|
|||||
|
Marine boss Mark Collier is Adie Viveash's pick for manager of the season. Cirencester Town boss Viveash has given his opposite number Mark Collier a glowing reference ahead of tomorrow's Southern League derby, insisting the Hunts Copse chief would be a worthy contender for manager of the year. Viveash has seen his own side suffer the indignity of relegation this season, but claims what Collier has achieved at South Marston is nothing short of remarkable. Many pundits had Supermarine as favourites for the drop, but instead it was Ciren who suffered that fate, leaving a humble Viveash (below right) quick to praise his close friend and rival. He said: "Mark Collier is right up there as my choice for manager of the year. "He got some unjust criticism at the start of the season when maybe he began to question himself a bit too, but he has done remarkably well. "The signings of Jason Welsh, Gary Horgan and Chris Thompson were all crucial, and in Leigh Henry I believe they have the best centre back in the league. "The club is obviously very ambitious and I think this season has given them something to build on. "They play the game the way I like to see it played and hopefully that will lead to a good match on Saturday." Supermarine's own fears of relegation may have long since disappeared, but Collier insists while there are still points to play for, he will not let his players rest. "I'm looking forward to this game a lot," he admitted. "There may not be anything riding on it in terms of the result, but there's always the local bragging rights. "We want to finish the season on 57 points, which means two wins from the last two. "I will remind the players they are playing for their places next season now." And though Cirencester will not be around to challenge them in 2008/9, Collier hopes the Centurions can bounce back to the Premier Division at the first time of asking. He said: "I feel sorry for Ciren because they are our neighbours and we would have loved for them to stay up. "Sometimes good comes from bad things and I hope that happens for them. "It's not an easy league to get out of, but hopefully they can get back and the season after next we can be in the Premier League together." Marine will be without the suspended Leigh Henry for tomorrow's match at the Corinium Stadium, while strikers Mark Draycott and Richard Kear both face late fitness tests. Steve Robertson and Matt Shaxton are unlikely to feature for Cirencester, but Matt Taylor should be fit again after missing Monday night's defeat at Merthyr Tydfil. By Gareth Moorhouse Posted Friday April 18th 2008
|
|||||
