POPPIES boss Ken Vaughan is tipping Blackfield & Langley to fly the flag for the Wessex League in the FA Vase.

Vaughan was speaking after watching his team suffer a 1-0 defeat in a second round showdown at Gang Warily on Saturday.

Blackfield’s Kevin Gibbens denied Poppies with a long-range winner in the 80th minute.

Poppies failed to emulate their exploits of last season when they reached the quarter-finals.

But manager Vaughan thinks Blackfield could prosper in the prestigious competition.

Vaughan said: “They are the strongest team in our league and I think they will do well in it.”

Poole Town’s Karim Lammali started for Vaughan’s men after signing on a dual registration basis.

Poppies: Jones, Ayrton, Jackson, Corby, Clarke, Ward (Watt, 88), Lammali, Phillipson-Masters, Warren (Teppett, 88), Saadi, Phillips (Khider, 79). Unused subs: Lepage, Vaughan (g/k).

  • Darren Curtis admitted New Milton Town needed to convert good performances into positive results following their Vase exit.

Linnets made an ideal start when Ben Thomson put them ahead after 15 minutes against Bitton AFC at Fawcett’s Field.

But the Western League big guns lived up to their pre-match billing as favourites by hitting back to claim a 2-1 victory.

Milton player-boss Curtis said: “It is a results business and you have got to get the results when you put in the right performances.”

Linnets: Hookway, Morris, Blackburn, Booker, Curtis, Fox, Thomson, Barge, De’ath (Head, 80), Molloy (Pidgley, 70), Donaldson. Unused subs: Groves, Sampays.

  • The winning teams pocketed £1,200 in prize money.