COACH Stephen Purches believes the Hampshire Senior Cup has offered his Cherries players “a different type of challenge”.

Cherries, who compete in the Final Third Development League, tomorrow visit Horndean bidding to book a place in the semi-final (7.45pm).

Purches will choose from a squad made up of development players and youth teamers, while Mohamed Coulibaly and Miles Addison are also set to feature at Five Heads Park.

Cherries eased past Fleet Spurs and Team Solent to reach the last eight and the Deans, currently 14th in Sydenhams Wessex Premier, put out Romsey, AFC Portchester and Eastleigh.

Purches told the Daily Echo: “These games give us an opportunity to learn how to play and how to compete in cup ties. It will be a different experience against a team doing well in the competition.

“You can learn a lot about players in these type of games, ones who want to go out and perform whatever the game throws at them. It is a great learning curve and is about making sure you are professional in what you are doing.

“It gives us a chance to play people who need games or who we feel we need to have a look at. It is also a good opportunity for the youth players to come in alongside some of the players who are with us regularly.”

The winners will join Sholing, Gosport Borough and Farnborough in the draw for the semi-final.

Cherries: (from) Holmes, Lee, Addison, M Coulibaly, Whitfield, Matthews, Kaye, Harfield, Butcher, A Coulibaly, Walsh, Cornick, O'Hanlon, Muleba, Simpson, O'Flaherty.