FROM Testwood Recreation Ground to a (behind-closed-doors) cup tie against Saints.

BTC Southampton FC are preparing for the biggest match of their lives tonight, against a young Saints side in the second round of the Southampton Senior Cup at Staplewood (kick off 7pm).

Saints are taking part in the competition for the first time since the 1970s to add some romance in its centenary year.

But a small crowd, not much bigger than that which saw BTC come from 2-0 down to beat AFC Gulf Western in the Southampton Premier League at Testwood Rec on Saturday, will be in attendance.

A Southampton FC spokesman said: "Players have been given complimentary tickets so that family and friends can support but it is behind-closed-doors to the wider public because of the limitations of Staplewood".

BTC's team includes builders, plumbers and students relishing the chance to play against the club they support.

Manager Steve Byers said: “I'm Southampton through and through as are most of the players.

"Last year some of them even went to Europe to watch the club in the Europa League and a lot of them were at St Mary’s on Sunday.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for players at our level.

“It will be a young Southampton team, we’re expecting to play the Under 18s with maybe a few U23s included.

“But they're still full-time footballers on the path to playing in the Premier League. It will be a massive step up in quality."

Saints will be playing a BTC team that represented the club’s reserves last season, finishing third from bottom of Junior Two.

The Stoneham League outfit are currently doing very well three levels higher, second in the Premier League after beating Braishfield and Comrades Sports before Saturday’s success.

“The club won the Southampton Premier League last year but that team disbanded over the summer and we were given the chance to make the step up,” explains Byers.

“Last season was our first in men’s football. Most of the players are only 20-21 so they’ve learnt quickly.”

BTC’s glamour tie is their reward for beating Athletico Romsey 4-1 in the first round.

Chairman Paul Strange, from Thornhill, said: “When the draw came out in July we knew what the carrot was if we beat Athletico.

“The players promised me they would get through and were as good as their word.

“It’s a young team that's come back together after coming through our youth set-up, starting as Under-10s.

“It’s been a big step up, but what they’ve done so far this season is unbelievable.”

Tonight's game at Saints’ state-of-the-art training ground in Marchwood will be an even bigger step up.

“We’ve got nothing to lose, no-one’s expecting us to go there and win,” added Byers, who works for a plumbing company in Eastleigh.

“A lot of the lads work, some on building sites, but are doing half days to make sure they’re available.

“They’re all looking forward to playing on a Premier League quality pitch.”