CHERRIES under-21s will try to extended their unbeaten run to a sixth game when they welcome Newport County to Canford Arena for a Central League encounter today (2pm).

Boss Mark Molesley, handed the reins until the end of this campaign following Stephen Purches's promotion to first-team coach in February, saw his team easily dispose of Bristol Rovers seven days ago, courtesy of Sam Surridge's hat-trick.

The striker had also bagged a treble on the under-21s' previous outing, a 4-1 victory over Peterborough, who inflicted a thumping 5-2 defeat on Newport last week.

Cherries have won three and lost only two of their 10 league fixtures this term.

Welsh team Newport, by contrast, are propping up the Central League combined South West and South East table having been beaten on seven of their 10 outings.

Molesley is likely to continue to rely on the cluster of under-18 players who have served him so well during his tenure, while Newport are expected to travel with a similarly inexperienced squad, given the club's ongoing battle against the drop into the National League.

They lost 6-1 at Plymouth yesterday to remain one point from safety in League Two.

There is extra incentive for the young Cherries, with places in next month's Hampshire Senior Cup final at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium up for grabs.