WIMBORNE Town boss Matty Holmes says tomorrow's trip to Larkhall heralds the start of the "biggest month" of Magpies' season.

Holmes's side enjoyed a fruitful March, claiming 10 points from five matches, while the manager last week penned a contract to keep him at Cuthbury next term.

And while the former Cherries midfielder admits his club are not trying to "beat the world", he says the first foundations of his long-term project are now in place.

Holmes told the Daily Echo: "I have been really enthused by the past month and the fact the people in charge wanted to commit to me for next season.

"We have an awful lot of work to do and I am still mindful we need some backers to help us financially.

"It is a case of trying to get people onto the board, which hopefully we will do, to drive us forward.

"We do not want to beat the world, we just want to get this club on an even keel and get the infrastructure right.

"On the pitch we want to build a young, prosperous team and develop a reputation for playing good football.

"It is a long-term project. When I first came in I was surprised by the absence of youth teams and the lack of young supporters coming into the ground.

"Now, hopefully, we have swung that around."

Magpies jumped one spot to ninth in Southern South & West without playing on Tuesday, courtesy of Bideford's defeat at Paulton Rovers.

Holmes insists it will be a tall order for his side to maintain their lofty perch – but his players will not lack incentive for their closing five games.

"This will be the biggest month of the entire season," continued Holmes. "The players have to show me they want to carry on with us next year.

"I have not spoken to anybody about new deals and the players certainly do not think the season is done and dusted. It is a big month for me to see how their attitudes are."

Holmes was waiting to assess a handful of players last night before finalising his squad for the clash with Larkhall.

Regardless of who travels to Bath, though, the boss has been encouraged by the performances of his entire squad this season.

"I knew there were some very good players here," added Holmes. "Billy Maybury, Toby Holmes, Luke Holmes and Paddy Hester are top players at this level and they could potentially play higher.

"But when we have had players missing we have been able to soldier on and pick up valuable points.

"We do not have huge numbers but all of the boys have put in a great shift and that has pleasantly surprised me."

Louis Kellaway will definitely miss this weekend's game, with Jack Lovell, Luke Holmes, James Stokoe, Ben Walker and Will Prior all due for checks.

Magpies (from): Benfield, Oldring, Maybury, Davidson, Penny, Hester, Stokoe, Neale, L Holmes, Lovell, T Holmes, Cann, Prior, Preston, Walker, Collins (g/k).