RADHI Jaidi’s Saints U23s will hit the road to Bournemouth this evening for a Hampshire FA Senior Cup quarter-final tie (7.45pm).
But it’s not the Premier League venue of Dean Court they will be keying into the sat-nav, rather the more humble surroundings of Victoria Park – home of Wessex League outfit Bournemouth Poppies.
Currently third in the Sydenhams Premier Division, Poppies beat Bashley and Gosport Borough – both on penalties – to reach the third round of the competition where they upset Southern League outfit Blackfield & Langley 2-1 at Gang Warily.
Saints, who have stepped up to the county cup after lifting the Southampton Senior Cup at St Mary’s last spring, have so far brushed aside Christchurch 2-0 away and Fleet Town 1-0 at AFC Totton’s Testwood Stadium ground.
Entry at Victoria Park this evening is £6 adults, £4 students/U18s and free for U12s.
Tonight’s winners will face Martin Kuhl’s Evo-Stik Premier Division outfit Basingstoke Town, who have already booked their ticket to the last four with a 7-0 caning of Fareham Town.
The other semi-final pits cup holders Havant & Waterlooville – 3-0 conquerors of Team Solent – against either Sydenhams Premier top dogs Sholing or the AFC Bournemouth U21s who are due to meet at the Boatmen’s Universal Stadium on March 7.
Hampshire FA Senior Cup semi-final draw: Basingstoke Town v Bournemouth Poppies or Southampton FC, Sholing or AFC Bournemouth v Havant & Waterlooville.
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