Doswell to field a strong side at Southampton as Hawks aim to keep alive hopes of a Hampshire Senior Cup hat-trick

Hawks celebrate winning the Hampshire Senior Cup in 2018 after beating Blackfield 3-0 at St Mary's. Picture: Chris Moorhouse.

The manager feels it is a chance to step away from the pressures of the National League South title race.

'This is an opportunity for us to play with a bit of freedom,' said Doswell, a lifelong Saints fan.

'The shackles will be off a bit because there is no pressure on the game.

'It will also give one or two who haven't been playing the opportunity to state their case.

'We are playing against a Premier League under 23 side and I am aware that they will be fielding a strong side.

'From that point of view, I am looking forward to it.

'The majority of our team from Saturday are fit and will play.'

The Hawks are also expected to give a debut to recent loan signing Adam Parkes, a highly-rated young goalkeeper from Watford.

The 20-year-old has been at Vicarage Road since January 2019 after leaving Southampton, where he had spent a decade in the club’s academy.

Bedsente Gomis and Simon Walton are also available again after suspension.

They both missed the weekend draw at Slough after being sent off against Weymouth and Dulwich in successive home games.

'I am hopeful that we might have another loan signing in and if that is the case will also give him his debut,' said Doswell.

The Hawks are looking to win the trophy for a third successive year, having beaten Basingstoke Town 2-1 in last season’s final.

Town had knocked out Southampton in the last four, winning a penalty shoot-out 5-4 after a 4-4 draw at The Camrose. Ex-Horndean winger Sam Smart, now at Eastleigh, was among the Basingstoke scorers that night.

This season, Saints have beaten the Royal Navy 3-0 and AFC Totton 4-1.

Hawks, meanwhile, thrashed a youthful Pompey XI 7-0 and triumphed 3-0 at Gosport Borough last month.

The winners of Tuesday’s quarter final will visit Eastleigh in the semi-finals.

The final will be held at Eastleigh’s Silverlake Stadium on Wednesday, March 25.

Moneyfields host AFC Bournemouth in the other semi final next Tuesday.