THIS year’s Hampshire FA Senior Cup final will be battled out by Basingstoke Town and Mark Molesley’s AFC Bournemouth under-21s.

The young Cherries edged through with a 1-0 win at Hartley Wintney last night, while beaten 2016 finalists Winchester City lost their semi-final 3-1 at Basingstoke Town.

After falling behind to a seventh-minute Charlie Kennedy goal, Winchester got back on terms on 52 minutes when Craig Feeney’s shot on the turn was toe-poked into his own net by Marcus Johnson-Schuster.

But Basingstoke, who play a league higher than City in the Southern Premier Division, hit back at the double through David Ray’s diving header and a classy Nana Owusu free-kick.

It was a good effort nonetheless by City who, in the absence of four key players - Jamie Barron, Olly Searle (both cup-tied), skipper Stuart Green (ill) and Danny Smith (unavailable) - handed starts to young Jack Hannam and IK Hill.

Saluting the Citizens' contribution, Basingstoke boss Terry Brown said: "It was a really hard game tonight and full credit to Winchester City, they were excellent opposition,"

AFC Bournemouth’s young guns took 61 minutes to make the breakthrough against runaway Combined Counties League leaders Hartley Wintney.

Antonio Diaz made an instant impact off the bench, setting up Gavin Kilkenny to guide the ball into the bottom corner.

Hartley’s Ross Cook picked up a second yellow card late on for a poor tackle on Ollie Harfield.

Although Bournemouth technically fielded an under-21 side, almost the entire team was aged 18 or under apart from defender and captain for the day Jack Simpson and strike Mikael Ndjoli.

The date and venue of the HSC final has still to be announced.

*Holders Gosport Borough are through to the Russell Cotes Cup final after seeing off AFC Portchester 2-0 through Ben Wright and Alfie Lis.

Borough will host Bemerton Heath Harlequins on Tuesday, May 2, at the Aerial Direct Stadium.

*Team Solent returned to winning ways in the Sydenhams Premier Division, triumphing 4-1 on the 3G pitch at Hamworthy United.

The Hammers struck the first blow through Mark Ford, but Solent turned on the style through Silvano Obeng (2), Jesse Waller-Lassen and Tyrell Mitford.

Charlie Willett’s 47th-minute goal sealed Lymington Town's 1-0 home win over Amesbury, while Horndean (Jack Maloney, Ash Howes) shared a 2-2 draw with Bemerton.