HOLDERS Team Solent face an early start to their defence of the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup.

The Southampton Solent University side are one of 22 teams included in the first round of the 2016/17 competition and have been drawn at home to Premier Division rivals Horndean.

If they successfully negotiate that hurdle, James Taylor’s Students will host the winners of the first round tie between Weymouth Reserves and Brockenhurst.

Last season’s defeated finalists Newport IOW are also in first round action at Wessex new boys Shaftesbury.

SYDENHAMS WESSEX LEAGUE CUP DRAW 2016/17

First round: Pewsey Vale v Totton & Eling, Verwood Town v Alresford Town, Bemerton HH v US Portsmouth, Weymouth Reserves v Brockenhurst, Shaftesbury v Newport IoW, Downton v Bournemouth Poppies, Team Solent v Horndean, East Cowes Vics v AFC Stoneham, Bashley v Moneyfields, New Milton Town v Fareham Town, Laverstock & Ford v Romsey Town.

Second round: Whitchurch Utd v Laverstock & Ford or Romsey Town, Team Solent or Horndean v Weymouth Reserves or Brockenhurst, Downton or Bournemouth Poppies v Pewsey Vale or Totton & Eling, Shaftesbury or Newport IoW v New New Milton Town or Fareham Town, Lymington Town v Bemerton HH or US Portsmouth, Folland Sports v Verwood Town or Alresford Town, East Cowes Vics or AFC Stoneham v Ringwood Town, Blackfield & Langley v Amesbury Town, Bashley or Moneyfields v Fawley AFC, Fleet Spurs v Hamble Club, Hamworthy Utd v Cowes Sports, Andover New Street v Portland Utd, Hythe & Dibden v Andover Town, Tadley Calleva v Christchurch, Alton Town v Baffins Milton Rovers, AFC Portchester v Sholing.