HOLDERS AFC Portchester will kick off their Sydenhams Wessex League Cup defence away to Romsey Town.

The Royals, managed by Ian Saunders and Mick Catlin, have drawn a trip to the Bypass Ground in round two of the 2018/19 cup campaign.

It promises to be a tough test for Andy Samuels' Romsey, who finished sixth in Sydenhams One last term.

Portchester, who also wound up sixth in the league above, lifted the trophy at their Wicor Rec ground in April thanks to a 4-0 win over Fawley AFC.

It was their second League Cup triumph in four years.

Beaten finalists Fawley will host the winners of the first round tie between Ringwood Town and Baffins Milton Rovers.

The new Sydenhams Wessex League season is scheduled to run from Saturday, August 4 to Saturday, April 20.

The first round of fixtures (see below) takes newly-promoted Sydenhams One champions Christchurch away to Horndean on the opening day.

Fellow promotees Andover New Street travel to Bashley, while top flight newcomers Tadley Calleva host Fareham Town.

Last season's Premier Division runners-up Andover Town, demoted after turning down promotion to the Southern League, begin life as a Sydenhams One club at home to Tim Cole's AFC Stoneham.

Meanwhile, the good news for the league is that sponsors Sydenhams have pledged to continue their support of Wessex football for at least another five years.

Sydenhams League Cup draws 2018/19.

First round: Laverstock & Ford v US Portsmouth, Bemerton HH v AFC Stoneham, Folland Sports v Fareham Town, Ringwood Town v Baffins MR, Newport IW v Whitchurch Utd, New Milton Town v Team Solent, Horndean v Amesbury Town.

Second round: Alresford Town v Newport IW/Whitchurch Utd, Hythe & Dibden v Shaftesbury, Laverstock & Ford/US Portsmouth v Andover Town, New Milton/Team Solent v Portland Utd, Horndean/Amesbury Town v Hamble Club, Folland Sports/Fareham Town v Cowes Sports, Petersfield Town v Christchurch, Totton & Eling v Lymington Town, Romsey Town v AFC Portchester, Andover New Street v Downton, East Cowes Vics v Alton, Fawley AFC v Ringwood Town/Baffins MR, Verwood Town v Bournemouth Poppies, Bashley v Brockenhurst, Bemerton HH/AFC Stoneham v Hamworthy Utd, Tadley Calleva v Sholing.

Opening day Sydenhams Wessex League fixtures 2018/19.

Premier Division: AFC Portchester v Team Solent, Bashley v Andover New Street, Bemerton HH v Sholing, Brockenhurst v Bournemouth, Cowes Sports v Hamworthy Utd, Hamble Club v Lymington Town, Horndean v Christchurch, Portland v Alresford, Shaftesbury v Baffins Milton Rovers, Tadley Calleva v Fareham Town.

Division One: Alton v Newport IW, Andover Town v AFC Stoneham, Downton v US Portsmouth, East Cowes Vics v Fawley AFC, Petersfield Town v Laverstock & Ford, Ringwood Town v Amesbury Town, Romsey Town v Hythe & Dibden, Totton & Eling v New Milton Town, Whitchurch United v Verwood Town.