There is no clear favourite for the game against Three Kings United at the Caledonian Ground.
Caversham is at home, is flying high after out-playing Dunedin Technical in the fourth round and has plenty of players with national league experience.
But Three Kings is having an extraordinary season, albeit in Auckland's second division, is guided by a coach who has won two national leagues, and has its own momentum after knocking out Auckland powerhouse Lynn-Avon United.
Caversham has twice reached the Chatham Cup semifinals in the past four years and Fleming said it was fair to assume there was a different mood in the camp the week of a knockout game.
"I think there is. When you're playing a team from a different region that you don't come across much, there's always a lot of interest," he said yesterday.
"I hope the boys don't get distracted. I'm sure they won't. You've got to look forward to a different challenge like this.
"Otago United has struggled in the national league, but Caversham's regular cup runs and Dunedin Technical's appearance in last year's final indicate southern teams can still pack a punch.
"There are people who think our competition is not that strong and that Auckland is where all the top payers are," Fleming said.
"Here's an opportunity for us to show them that we're not a weak football city at all."
While Caversham knows all about Technical, Roslyn-Wakari and Mosgiel, it has had to scratch around for details on Three Kings United.
Fleming has been around too long to underestimate any northern side, particularly one that banged in 25 goals in the first four cup rounds.
"They're obviously an ambitious club and they've got a good coaching staff. They know their stuff and they've beaten some very good teams to get here, so we have respect for them.
"But our effort all week has been on getting our guys ready to play the sort of football we want to play."
Caversham has a settled side featuring the sharp striking pair of Dave Dugdale and Tom Jackson, the creative talents of Robbie Deeley, Patrick Fleming and Blair Duncan, and a back unit strengthened by English imports James Waggett and Chris Jenkinson.
Fleming preaches the philosophy of positive, passing football and does not intend to alter the game plan even though a semifinal place is at stake.
"I'm probably going to go with the tried and true. Hopefully, we get our share of the ball and can do good things with it."
Three Kings United leads the second-tier Auckland competition and is coached by Paul Marshall, the former successful coach of Central United and Auckland City.
The club was formed in 1997 when Eden and Mt Roskill amalgamated.
It now boasts 100 junior teams, 70 youth teams and 20 senior teams and is believed to be the biggest in New Zealand.
Three Kings has progressed to the Chatham Cup quarterfinals for the first time.
Eden (1950) and Mt Roskill (1964) had both previously won the cup.
Other quarterfinals are: Manurewa v Nelson Suburbs, Miramar Rangers v Waitakere City, Forrest Hill Milford v Olympic.
In the women's knockout cup, Dunedin club Roslyn-Wakari plays Western in a quarterfinal at Ellis Park tomorrow.
• Chatham Cup quarter final
Teams to meet at the Caledonian Ground today at 2pm. -
Caversham: James Waggett, Mike Smith, Tim Horner, Chris Jenkinson, Jeremy Wild, Blair Duncan, Darren Overton, Robbie Deeley, Patrick Fleming, Tom Jackson, Dave Dugdale, Rhys Henderson, Tim Cook, Dave O'Donavan.
Three Kings United: Greg Walters, Joel Mathews, Travis Gravett, Alejandro Blanco, Andre Sherard, Hugo Littlejohn, Luis Delmonte, Michael Frecklington, Nick Robson, Jesse Scott, Sam Mathews, Daniel Eisenhut, Jesse Van Kekum, Daniel Rowlands, Jacob Mathews, Daniel Finlay, Glen Eie, Daniel Court, David White.
