TROPHY holders Andover are at home to Dr Marten's League (DML) premier side Newport IoW in the quarter-final of the Hants Senior Cup - and the Islanders consider they have drawn the short straw.

Newport manager Tony Mount has suggested that his side have not had a lot of luck in cup competitions this season. "I would rather have been at home," he groaned after the draw for the fourth round was made last week.

Andover boss Ken Cunningham Brown however believes his side will still be the underdogs. "It just goes to show how far Andover has come in the last few years when the manager of a side from the Dr Marten's League premier division suggests they've got a bad draw but any side from that division must fancy their chances against a team from the Wessex League."

Andover, who produced the upset of the season to beat another DML premier side, Havant & Waterlooville, in last season's final, will not surrender the trophy without a fight and it looks as though the Portway faithful have another treat in store in the New Year.

In the quarter-finals of the Russell-Cotes Cup, the Lions have been drawn away against JWL rivals Hamble ASSC, with the game due to be played on 29 or 30 January.

In the other county cup draws made last week John Smith's NHL title-challengers Southampton Arms are away to Hants County Division One table-toppers Colden Common in the quarter-finals while in the junior competitions ABC United have home advantage against Ryde United or Horndean Aztecs in the last 16 of the Hants Junior 'A' Cup and Over Wallop are away to Interbrew in the Hants Junior 'B' Cup, with the games to be played on or before Saturday, 5 January.

In the Sunday competitions ADSL champions Ludgershall Sports are also through to the fourth round of the Intermediate Cup and they have to travel again with them way to Saints on Sunday, 6 January, while Brian Austin's Junior Four side Station Hotel are at home to Alco in the fourth round of the Sunday Junior 'C' Cup.