AFC TOTTON will need all the confidence accrued during their five-match unbeaten run to get through tomorrow’s daunting Southern League assignment at Merthyr Town, writes WENDY GEE.

Steve Jenkins’ Martyrs are a force to be reckoned with on their synthetic surface, unbeaten in six home league games this term.

They currently reside second in Division One South & West with games to spare over leaders Stratford and are the highest scoring team in the division with 38 goals in 11 matches.

Like Totton, Merthyr were in FA Trophy replay action on Tuesday with a Ryan Prosser penalty edging them through 1-0 at home to Taunton Town.

The Stags also booked their place in the first qualifying round with a pleasing 3-1 win over Cinderford, courtesy of Kyle O’Brien, Nathaniel Sherborne and James Jennings.

Now manager Steve Riley is urging his troops to take heart from that performance as they hit the road to south Wales.

“It’ll be a tough game against Merthyr on their synthetic pitch, but my message to the lads will be ‘we’ve got a point, now let’s keep it’, he said.

“I want them to compete and enjoy themselves and anything more than a point would be a bonus.

“We played with real quality on Tuesday.

“It was good to see the lads expressing themselves and everyone playing with their heart on their sleeve.

“I was pleased with Zac Mouland. He played up top with Craig Feeney and worked his socks off. He hit the post late on and really deserved a goal.

“There was a bit of a buzz after the game and long may it continue.”

Among the goals for Merthyr this season is ex-Saints and Salisbury striker Kayne McLaggon, who has netted 11 times in league and cup.

New in at Penydarren Park is Guillermo Bauza, a Spanish-born attacking player who signed for Roberto Martinez at Swansea City in 2007 and has since been with Hereford, Exeter and Port Talbot.

Totton are sixth, four points behind Merthyr having played two games more.

They have another league game at home to Larkhall on Tuesday before opening their doors to former Football League outfit Hereford in the FA Trophy next Saturday.