CHERRIES’ youngsters are set for a stern examination after being paired with Conference South outfit Gosport Borough in the Hampshire Senior Cup.

A mixed team of youth and development players have won away ties at Wessex League clubs Blackfield & Langley (3-0) and Lymington Town (5-0) to reach the last eight of the competition.

But Borough, managed by former Wimborne, Bournemouth Poppies and Hamworthy United boss Alex Pike, play three levels higher following back-to-back promotions through the Southern League over the past two seasons.

Cherries’ trip to Privett Park is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, while the Hampshire FA has announced that the final will be played at Portsmouth’s Fratton Park this season.

Hampshire Senior Cup quarter-final draw: Whitchurch United v Basingstoke Town, Havant & Waterlooville v Farnborough, Gosport Borough v Cherries, AFC Portchester v Petersfield Town.

  • Branksome Railway face a testing trip in the FA Sunday Cup fourth round after being drawn away to North London-based New Salamis.

The last-16 clash, scheduled for Sunday, January 19, will take place at Goffs Lane, Cheshunt, which sits just outside the boundary of the M25.

Salamis have won seven and lost two of their nine games in the KOPA Cypriot League this season.