Bragging rights at stake in the Birmingham household as Horndean face US Portsmouth in quarter-final tie

The Deans boss Michael Birmingham will come up against son, Harry, who plays for USP, with the winner earning a spot in the semi-finals of the competition.

But the Horndean manager has played down any friendly rivalry on the evening.

He is looking to use the game as a useful exercise ahead of his side’s Wessex League Premier Division Bashley on Saturday.

Birmingham feels US Portsmouth play in a similar style to their next league opponents, but is wary of the threat they will face at the leaders of the division below.

‘I’m a big fan of United Services my son is there and Glenn Turnbull is doing an outstanding job,’ said the Horndean boss.

‘I want them to win the league and get promoted, they’ve got the facilities that should be in a league higher.

‘They’ve got a very good, young side.

‘With the game against Bashley to come on Saturday, US Portsmouth mirror exactly the way they play.

‘It’s not the first time I’ve come across my son, my son was at Portchester for a few years.

‘We’ve come against each other before.

‘But it doesn’t matter win, lose or draw, as long as I can give him a cuddle and we can have a beer at the end and have a bit of a laugh, that’s more important.’