SOME of Christchurch’s shining lights will be dropped for tonight’s trip to holders Eastleigh in the Hampshire FA Senior Cup.

Manager Graham Kemp felt let down by his Sydenhams Premier table-toppers in Saturday’s shock FA Vase defeat by Horndean and says he will now let them down by leaving players out. With Priory having started the league campaign on fire, Kemp had fancied them to go a long way in the Vase.

But although whizz-kid Harry Cornick forced extra time on Saturday after Nathan Paxton had given Horndean a first-half lead, Christchurch gave the ball away cheaply, allowing Chamal Fenelon to score, and were killed off by a Simon Stone penalty.

“I feel really disappointed and a bit let down,” admitted Kemp.

“Horndean played five at the back and, when you’re up against that, you can’t afford to concede first, but we did. The Vase is a dream for me and it knocks you sideways to get knocked out. After a couple of byes, this was our first Vase tie, so we’ve gone out straight away.

“We’ve got no game this Saturday so I’m going to change things and give the young lads a chance tonight. It might sound harsh, but if anyone wants to put their hand up and say they should be playing, I’d be interested to hear their argument.

“If they think they can strut around at Eastleigh after Saturday’s performance, they’ve got another thing coming.”

With bigger tests ahead in the Blue Square Bet South, Eastleigh may field a young side too.

Manager Richard Hill would be clearer on what team to pick if he knew whether or not Saturday’s home game against Truro City was going ahead.

The bid to save the cash-strapped Cornish club took another twist last week when the Football Conference gave them another week to find the £50,000 bond needed to ensure membership of the league. Truro have until 5pm on Thursday (October 18) to come up with the money. If Saturday’s game does get the green light, Eastleigh have offered Truro the gate receipts as a gesture of goodwill.