SHOLING have landed arguably the toughest possible draw in the semi-finals of the Hampshire FA Senior Cup.
The Boatmen – the lowest-ranked side left in the competition – must travel to AFC Bournemouth in the last four.
The other tie pits Alex Pike’s Gosport Borough away to Vanarama Conference South rivals Farnborough.
While SkyBet Championship leaders Bournemouth use development squad players in the county cup, it is still a tall order for Sholing, who sit 17th in the Southern One South & West.
Asked his reaction to the draw, Boatmen’s boss Dave Diaper, whose company BSA Regal Group sponsor the competition, smiled: “It’s a good one for Bournemouth. I should think they’ll be very pleased!
“But with everything that’s happened this season, we’ve done well to get to the semi-final. I can’t remember too many seasons when we haven’t made the latter stages.”
Ex-Christchurch winger Harry Cornick scored two and made one as AFC Bournemouth’s young guns powered back from behind to win their quarter-final 3-1 at Sydenhams Premier outfit Horndean.
“Realistically it’s going to be tough for us,” said Diaper. “They’ve got Harry Cornick, who’s quality, and three or four other players on the verge of the first team.”
The semi-final dates have yet to confirmed.
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