MANAGER Steve Cuss believes Wimborne Town can play with “real freedom” when they host higher-division AFC Hornchurch in the FA Trophy later this month.

Wimborne were yesterday handed a third qualifying round clash with the Urchins, who are currently bottom of the Isthmian Premier having won just four of their 19 league games.

Cuss, who masterminded a 2-1 victory over Northwood on Saturday, will take his Southern South & West side into uncharted territory in the Trophy on Saturday, November 29.

And the Cuthbury boss talked up his team’s prospects of further progression.

He told the Daily Echo: “I was looking for a home tie so I’m pleased with the draw. It’s against higher-league opposition – which we would probably have expected at this stage of the competition – but it’s one of those games that we can go into with no pressure on us.

“If you delve into their current form then you will see that they are on a very good run at the moment.

“They got off to a pretty awful start in the league but have had just two defeats in their past 10 games.

“Equally, we are in the middle of a very good patch so I think it’s a great tie and it’s one that a lot of people will look forward to seeing.

“I think they are favourites given that they play a higher standard of football but it’s a game in which we can play with real freedom and enjoy it, and see if we can cause another upset.”

Meanwhile, Poole Town have also been given a tie against a struggling team in a higher division, with Staines Town providing the opposition.

Dolphins will travel to Wheatsheaf Park to face the Conference South basement battlers, who they took to an FA Cup replay last season.

Having drawn 0-0 away to Swans in a fourth qualifying round clash, Poole lost the replay 1-0 at Tatnam.

Tom Killick’s men are in action tonight when they travel to the Testwood Stadium to take on AFC Totton in the Southern League Cup second round.

In the second round of the Russell Cotes Cup, in-form Lymington Town entertain Bemerton Heath Harlequins, New Milton Town host Cowes Sports and Ringwood Town face visitors Fleet Town.