SHOLING are back in action at the Silverlake Arena tomorrow night (Wednesday, 7.45pm) playing Horndean in the Russell Cotes Cup second round.

The hosts put in a stunning display against AFC Totton in the previous round, beating the Southern League side 4-2 with a second-string XI, writes Danny Maiorca.

It will be the third time the Boatmen have faced Horndean - last season’s RCC runners-up – this term. They ran out 3-1 away winners in the FA Cup extra preliminary round before recording a 2-0 Sydenhams Premier victory.

The Deans are playing their first game in the competition since last season’s 2-0 defeat in the final to Blackfield & Langley, having received a first-round bye.

Horndean have undergone a change of manager and have struggled to find consistency, winning three and losing three of their last six outings.

They come into tonight’s meeting off the back of a 2-1 Sydenhams League Cup defeat at the hands of Portland United.

In contrast, Dave Diaper’s side have hit blistering form and reeled off seven wins in a row.

Sholing’s last outing brought a comfortable 5-0 League Cup win over Laverstock & Ford, which saw youngster Nick Yeomans net his first goal for the senior team.

Midfielder Alex Sawyer is set to return tonight after a lengthy lay-off with shin splints, but Jack Smith (ankle) misses out and it looks as if young midfielder Dan Dove may require a knee operation.

Sholing have been drawn at home to Verwood Town in the third round of the Sydenhams League Cup.

The full draw is: Amesbury Town v Salisbury or Fleet Spurs, Whitchurch Utd or Newport IoW v AFC Stoneham or Ringwood Town, Sholing v Verwood Town, Moneyfields v Portland Utd, Cowes Sports v Brockenhurst, Bemerton HH v Andover Town, Team Solent or US Portsmouth v Fareham Town or Alton Town, Romsey Town v Totton & Eling or Fawley AFC.