WIMBORNE boss Tim Sills believes his side’s visit to Dorchester Town this weekend will stand them in good stead for their season opener against Bishop’s Cleeve.

Sills will lead his Magpies from the west of Dorset across to face their namesakes at the Avenue on Saturday (3pm), with Dorchester playing on a 3G surface.

Dorch currently sit in the division above Wimborne, with Sills sharing that his side will get the benefit of being challenged by higher-league opposition whilst getting extra practice on an artificial pitch.

Harbouring pre-season ambitions of a league title and promotion back to the Southern Premier League South at the second attempt, Sills’ charges visit Bishop’s Cleeve on Saturday, August 12 to begin their league campaign.

Bishop’s Cleeve debuted their artificial pitch last season at their Kayte Lane home.

In the Southern League Division One South there are a total of three teams that play on 3G or 4G surfaces.

Newly promoted Malvern Town also boast a 3G pitch, and whilst Hamworthy United will start the season on the grass at Weymouth, by the time Magpies are set to visit their neighbours, Hammers should be able to host the Boxing Day fixture at the County Ground, another artificial surface.

Sills told the Daily Echo: “Our first game of the season is away on an artificial surface, so it's great that Dorch are hosting us.

“We're really thankful for that, because they're a really good club as well.

“I'm good mates with Glenn Howes, so it’s another really good test.

“But we've got to look at not only the opposition but where we're playing.

“We got Verwood away later in pre-season, which will be a slightly more tricky pitch to play on, but we're going to get plenty of those as well.

“So there's a lot of thought that goes into it and we're just thankful for the people who’ve said they’ll play us.”