THE 2017/18 Southampton Senior Cup final is coming early for the lucky winners of the first-round tie between BTC Southampton and Athletico Romsey.

Never mind next spring’s showpiece Centenary Final at St Mary’s, the victors will have the thrill of playing real-life heroes Southampton FC in October’s second round.

As previously reported, Saints are returning to the competition this season to sprinkle some stardust on the 100th anniversary celebrations.

The presence of the Premier League giants ramped up the excitement when the draw for the early rounds was made last night – and it was BTC and Athletico Romsey who hit the jackpot.

BTC, the Southampton (Saturday) Football League Premier Division champions, will host Senior Division runners-up Athletico in September for the right to play Saints away in the round two.

The Southampton Divisional FA (SDFA) are still awaiting confirmation from Saints about where the tie will be played and what sort of team they will put out.

But the indications are that it will be a Saints under-18 side playing at Staplewood.

Greg Dickson, the SDFA’s assistant secretary, smiled: “We’ve had clubs messaging us, saying: ‘Great draw at St Mary’s!’, but I've said don’t count your chickens, it won’t be played there!

“Mike Harvey (SDFA secretary) had discussions with Saints and they said they were happy to play their games as drawn – either home or away – and we're assuming it will be at Staplewood.

“The likelihood is it will be Saints’ under-18s – however, anyone signed on for Southampton FC is eligible to play in the competition...!"

With such a huge prize at stake, Dickson reckons the BTC v Athletico Romsey tie will be a crowd magnet in itself.

"Both clubs are buzzing for it and I think they'll get a massive gate," he said.

"Playing Saints suddenly becomes a cup final for grass roots football."

Nine-time Cup winners Sholing, who beat Team Solent 3-1 at St Mary's in May, will host the winners of the Durley v Folland Sports Reserves tie.

SOUTHAMPTON SENIOR CUP 2017/18.

First round (to be played on or before Saturday, September 16).

AFC Stoneham v Hamble Club Reserves.

BTC Southampton v Athletico Romsey.

Bush Hill v Hedge End Rangers.

Bush Hill Reserves v Compton.

Comrades v Braishfield.

Durley v Follands Sports Reserves.

Follands Sports v Totton & Eling.

Hedge End Rangers Reserves v Southampton University.

Locks Heath v Fawley.

Michelmersh & Timsbury v Hedge End Town.

Nursling v Chamberlayne Athletic.

Sholing Reserves v Hythe & Dibden.

Upham v Infinity.

Warsash Wasps v Bishop Waltham Dynamo.

Second round (to be played on or before Saturday, October 21).

AFC Gulf Western v Nursling/Chamberlayne Athletic.

Alresford Town v Locks Heath/Fawley.

Blackfield & Langley v Michelmersh & Timsbury/Hedge End Town.

Brockenhurst v Warsash Wasps/Bishop Waltham Dynamo.

Colden Common v Sholing Reserves/Hythe & Dibden.

Hamble Club v Hedge End Rangers Reserves/Southampton University.

Lyndhurst v Upham /Infinity.

Netley CS v Comrades/Braishfield.

QK Soton v Bush Hill Reserves/Compton.

Sholing v Durley/Folland Sports Reserves.

Southampton FC v BTC Southampton/Athletico Romsey.

Sway v Lymington Town.

Team Solent v Folland Sports/Totton & Eling.

Upham Reserves v Priory Rovers.

Winchester Castle v Bush Hill/Hedge End Rangers.

Winchester City v AFC Stoneham/Hamble Club Reserves.