WIMBORNE boss Steve Cuss is hoping an artificial pitch can help his troops build on their current form.

Magpies make the long journey to South Wales tomorrow to play promotion rivals Merthyr Town (7.45pm) – their first competitive outing on the Martyrs’ new state-of-the-art 3G pitch at Penydarren Park.

The Welsh side have put together a five-game winning streak and provide the sternest of tests to Magpies’ own promotion credentials.

Following their 1-0 victory at Stratford on Saturday, Merthyr currently sit fourth in Southern South & West, nine points ahead of Cuss’s side who returned to winning ways with a 2-1 league success over Fleet Town.

But although the Welsh outfit are yet to lose at home this season, Cuss believes the 3G surface could hand his side the advantage.

“Playing on an artificial pitch will be a first for us and should help our passing game,” he said.

Jamie Davidson is still a doubt after missing the Fleet match through injury.

Magpies: (from) Harvell, Arnold, Oliver, Costello, Middleton, Blake, Webb, Sainsbury, Stokoe, Gamble, Griffin, Maybury, Davidson, Wilson, Kemble, Roast, Ackerman.

  • Elsewhere, Bournemouth Poppies host Basingstoke Town in the third round of Hampshire Senior Cup (7.45pm).

Poppies: (from) Bray, Ayrton, Martinez, Hales, Pearce, Owens, Ingram, Robinson, Warren, Costello, Phillips, Turner, Morgan, Vaughan.