BLACKFIELD & Langley take a welcome break from the trials and tribulations of league action tonight to concentrate on making the semi-finals of the Sydenhams League Cup.

Saturday’s 1-0 Premier Division defeat at home to Newport IoW made it six league games without a win for the fifth-placed Watersiders.

But they continue to do well in knockout competition and, having progressed to the last four of the Russell Cotes at Gosport Borough’s expense last week, they return down the M27 tonight to fight league rivals Horndean for the right to play AFC Portchester in the League Cup semis.

Blackfield, though, will far from full strength with Ekow Elliott, Joey Byrne and Danny Young still injured and Ed Dadzie unsure whether he will be back from London in time.

And the Watersiders suffered yet another setback against Newport when defender Richard Jackson – only just back from injury – was stretchered off with a pulled hamstring.

Jordan Browne, who joined Newport from Cowes Sports in December, scored the winner at Gang Warily midway through the second half. It was his third goal in eight appearances and fired the eighth-placed Islanders to their fourth straight 1-0 league win.