Merthyr Town travel to Gloucestershire for their midweek BigFreeBet.com Southern League Cup tie on Tuesday (7.30pm).
They take on mid-table West Division club Shortwood United, who have shown they are a team who will battle all the way for their cup lives.
All of Sherwood’s 11 points have been gained from a losing position this season and manager Paul Meredith is delighted with the character shown by his team.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with every player,” he said after Nailsworth-based United fought back from a goal down to win 2-1 against Cinderford Town and earn a first home win of the season.
“This win shows the character and spirit is building.”
Harry Burns and Joe White, with his fourth goal in three matches, were the Shortwood marksmen, while Ryan Meredith was their man of the match.
Merthyr manager Gavin Williams may take the opportunity to give experience defender his first start since returning to fitness after a groin injury.
McDonald went on as a substitute during their 3-2 win at St Ives and looks likely to start.
The Martyrs have won three successive Premier Division matches and are fifth in the table going into Saturday’s trip to play leaders Kettering Town away.
There were two preliminary round ties in the BigFreeBet.com Cup.
A brilliant second half hat-trick scored by Ryan Debattista led Egham from a goal down win 3-1. Another hat-trick, by Jake Newman, saw Kempston Rovers into the next round with a win against King’s Lynn Town.
Merthyr Town, from: Oliver Davies, Adam Davies, Cameron Pring, Ashley Evans, Jarrad Wright, Scott Tancock, Jaye Bowen, Corey Jenkins, Kyle Patten, Stuart Fleetwood, Kerry Morgan, Eliot Richards, Ian Traylor, Curtis McDonald, Robbie Patten, Kyle Copp.
BigFreeBet.com Southern League Cup preliminary results and first round draw:
Preliminary round: Northwood 1, Egham Town 3; Kempston Rovers 3, King’s Lynn Town 1.
First round fixtures:
Monday, October 2: Beaconsfield Town v Slough Town, Cambridge City v St Ives Town, Dorchester Town v Salisbury, Hitchin Town v
Bishop’s Stortford.
Tuesday, October 3: Paulton Rovers v Frome Town, Chesham United v Aylesbury, Cinderford Town v Slimbridge, Cirencester Town v Larkhall Athletic, Didcot Town v Banbury United, Fleet Town v Basingstoke Town, Gosport Borough v Moneyfields, Hanwell Town v Uxbridge, Hayes & Yeading United, Ashford Town (Middlesex), Marlow v Aylesbury United, Redditch United v Bishops Cleeve, Shortwood United v Merthyr Town, Thame United v Kings Langley, Weymouth v Wimborne Town, Winchester City v AFC Totton, Yate Town v Bristol Manor Farm, AFC Dunstable v Dunstable Town, Arlesey Town v Biggleswade Town, Barnstaple Town v Tiverton Town, Barton Rovers v Royston Town, Bedford Town v Kettering Town, Bideford v Taunton Town, AFC Rushden & Diamonds v St Neots Town, Chalfont St Peter v Egham Town.
Wednesday, October 4: Evesham United v Stratford Town, postponed; Farnborough v Hartley Wintney, Kidlington v Swindon Supermarine.
