Romsey Town are bracing themselves for a David and Goliath Hampshire Senior Cup third round duel against FA Vase holders Winchester City at the Denplan Stadium tomorrow, 3pm.

"It's probably our biggest game in 15 years," says manager Trevor Holmes, who is hoping Town's current injury problems relent in time for the game.

"I had five guys out at Poole last weekend. The backbone of the side was ripped out, mainly because of injury.

"We're playing two games a week and it's taking its toll.

"But playing against Winchester is a great incentive and I'm hopeful we'll be able to field a pretty decent side," he added.

Holmes knows that Romsey - currently fourth in Sydenhams Wessex League, Division 2 - are a long shot to spring a surprise.

"But we've done pretty well against a couple of teams in the Wessex League proper this season, having beaten Cowes Sports in the last round and Bournemouth Poppies in the League Cup," Holmes warned. "We just need to relax and go out and try and play our own game."

Romsey certainly go into the tie full of confidence after Simon De'Ath's hat-trick sent lowly United Services plunging to a 5-0 defeat at the By-Pass ground in midweek. The victory lifted Romsey into third place in SWL Division 2, seven points adrift of leaders Lymington Town, but one above Poole Town, who beat Town 2-1 last weekend.

De'Ath, whose goal tally for the season stands at a healthy 19, gave Romsey a 20th minute lead when he latched on to Andy Kemp's through ball to beat the advancing US keeper. Romsey doubled their advantage before half-time with a 15-yard effort from Dean Topliss, before Paul Smith headed in a Simon Woodley free-kick soon after the break to give the hosts a 3-0 lead.

Five minutes later, De'Ath grabbed his 19th goal of the season - Simon Geddes pulling the ball back from the byeline - while Smith completed the rout midway through the second half.

De'Ath shares the tag of leading Division 2 goalscorer with Blackfield & Langley's Neil Williams, who bagged a hat-trick in the Watersiders 4-1 at Fawley. Romsey didn't the rub of the green in the 2-1 defeat by Poole Town at Tatum Farm.

Romsey's patched-up side eventually fell to a "screamer of a shot" by former Wimborne Town man Aaron Turner. "It really was a terrific shot, which Shane Wheeler (making his debut in the Romsey Town goal) didn't stand a chance with," Holmes said.

Holmes thought that, at one stage, Romsey were going to take something from the game.

Gary Funnell put third-placed Poole ahead - but his first half strike was cancelled out by a Simon D'Ath penalty.

"In all honesty, I thought their goalkeeper should have been sent off for clattering Paul Smith over," Holmes groaned.

"Turner's goal finished us."