QK Southampton will be flying the flag for the Hampshire Premier League when they take on Saints U23s in the Southampton Senior Cup tonight.

The third-round tie at Staplewood has captured the imagination of a QK side ready to take on a Saints team that beat BTC Southampton 6-0 in the last round, courtesy of goals from Armani Little (two), Dan N’Lundulu, Tom O’Connor, Tyreke Johnson and Will Ferry.

That was Saints’ first appearance in the Southampton Senior Cup since 1970, having re-entered the competition in celebration of its centenary.

Manager Mark Sainsbury said: “We’ve had a few more at training since the draw!

“Our squad has an average age of 21-22 and eight of them could hold their own in the Wessex Premier.

“Most of them were brought in from Stoneham Under-18s when I took over as manager four years ago.”

QK are currently sixth in the New Forest Care Hampshire Premier League and won 7-0 against Hartley Wintney in the Hampshire Intermediate Cup on Saturday.

“When I first took over four years ago we lost eight on the trot but finished 12th, sixth and last season we reached a cup final and made the top five,” continued Sainsbury.

“This year we’re ready to win something but I don’t believe it will be the Southampton Senior Cup - this will be our cup final!

“A couple of our players were on Saints’ books as youngsters before being released at a young age.

“It’s a great opportunity for them to show what QK are about. We’ll be ourselves and get it down and play.

“Southampton will be much fitter than us but I believe we can give them something to think about rather than go with a defensive mindset.

“The lads are buzzing for it. We’ve really pushed them hard on the fitness and all this preparation has raised the bar for two more important games - in the league against Clanfield on Saturday and a league cup quarter-final against Bush Hill a week later.”

Sainsbury, whose son Lee is QK’s goalkeeper, used to coach injured Saints’ defender Jake Flannigan for Colden Commons Under-7s.

The star of his QK team is Callum Drake, scorer of both goals in the 2-0 second-round win against Bush Hill reserves.

He said: “Callum is the jewel in our side. He’s turned down four or five approaches from Wessex Premier sides and teams from the Southern League have had a look at him.

“But he’s been very loyal and will be making his 100th appearance for us at Staplewood.

“He plays as a [number] ten. He’s not great pace but is very good at finding pockets of space.

“He has great awareness and beats players with his first touch. I’ve got a sneaky feeling that if he plays as well he might even get invited back for a trial!”

Tonight’s tie is not open to the general public.