MANAGER Graham Kemp guided Christchurch into another cup final and then insisted they were determined to do more than make up the numbers.

Priory booked a place in the Wessex League Cup showpiece with a 2-1 semi-final victory over Downton at the County Ground on Tuesday night.

The Hurn Bridge outfit’s success in that knockout competition came hot on the heels of them reaching the Russell-Cotes Cup final.

Despite being second best during the opening exchanges against Downton, Christchurch took a 30th-minute lead when Marc Fairbrother finished superbly following a Russell Cook run and cross.

Striker Cook, who is dual registered with Wimborne Town, doubled the advantage in the 62nd minute.

Vince Rusher reduced the deficit six minutes later but Christchurch held on and will face either Bournemouth Poppies or Brockenhurst in the final.

With the Russell-Cotes Cup and Wessex League Cup now within reach, boss Kemp is eyeing a double triumph.

He told the Daily Echo: “I think Christchurch have been to the Russell-Cotes Cup final once before and that is it in their Wessex League history.

“To get to two finals is great and we are not going there to make up the numbers.

“Certainly in the Wessex League Cup, we will be playing a team of equal standard to us so, hopefully, we will give a good account of ourselves and we will look to win both of them.”

Discussing Tuesday’s game, Kemp added: “I was pleased with our resilience. I think it showed that we had lost three league games on the trot and they had won four in a row. Confidence was in their camp.

“They got off to the better start and we scored with, probably, our only chance of the first half.

“In a one-off game, you don’t care how you get through. Whether it is extra-time, penalties or an own goal, it is just about getting to the final.

“We have got two finals to look forward to and I think that is an amazing achievement.”

Kemp had words of praise for goalkeeper Jason Collins after he had stepped in as a late replacement for injured Joe Prodomo.

Collins made a fine early save and displayed good judgement under the high ball, with Kemp hailing his “outstanding” performance.

Priory: Collins, Thompson, Legg, Crutchley, Costello, Burt, Smith, Fairbrother (Griffin, 76), Osborne, Cook, Burden. Unused subs: Harris, Dand, Lovell, Brian.

&bulll; A first-half goal from Martin Edwards handed in-form Ringwood Town a 1-0 win at Whitchurch United.

Edwards scored in the 10th minute to help Ringwood move into the Wessex Division One top six.

Ringwood: Daley, S Hole, Osman, Tyler, Pierson, Yeats, Morrell (Bailey, 88), Brown, Edwards (Mullings, 88), Leadbetter (Hardy, 90), W Hole. Unused sub: Elezi.