CHAIRMAN Mike Cranidge insisted Bashley would have “no problem” fulfilling their on-field obligations despite pulling out of the Hampshire Senior Cup due to a lack of players.

Bash chose to withdraw from the competition after informing county officials that they would have only nine fit and eligible players for their scheduled tie at Gosport Borough tonight.

The decision hands Borough, managed by former Wimborne boss Alex Pike, a walkover to the last eight with the New Forest outfit understood to be facing a standard sanction for their last-ditch exit.

It is the latest in a catalogue of catastrophes at Bash this season with budget cuts, confusion over joint-boss John Pyatt’s protracted appointment in October and the loss of several key players compounding their position at the foot of the Southern League Premier Division.

But despite this latest setback, Cranidge was keen to highlight the mitigating circumstances and reiterated his belief that there would be no repeat of this week’s problems.

Cranidge told the Daily Echo: “The matter was discussed between our football secretary and management team and we decided turning up with nine players would be unfair on paying spectators and that we should, reluctantly, give the game to Gosport.

“It is going to cost us money but I would rather that than take part in what would have been a farce which no one would want to watch.

“We always knew this tie would present a problem but injuries over the past couple of days have added to the chunk of players we had unavailable.

“There won’t be a problem (with future fixtures), we just had some unfortunate circumstances surrounding this particular match.”

Joint-manager Paul Gazzard revealed his 17-man squad had been decimated by having Scott Joyce, Dave Marden and Lewis Blackmore cup-tied and Jack Satterley unavailable.

Jamie Bullpit was rendered ineligible as competition rules state players must be registered seven days before the tie with the situation “made impossible” when Justin Keeler, Brad Morris and Declan Edwards pulled out through injury.

The Hampshire FA scheduled all third-round ties for the week commencing December 2 at the start of the season and Bash knew of their opponents and proposed date when the draw was made on October 22.

  • Hamworthy United host Dorchester Town while Verwood Town entertain Western League leaders Gillingham Town in the quarter-finals of the Dorset Senior Cup tomorrow (both 7.45pm).

Hammers: (from) Thomas, Saunders, Martin, Legg, Haysom, Corby, Yelland, Diaper, Allen, Cook, Osborne, Tayler, Hester, McIntosh, Pekun.

Potters: (from)  Lynch, Gajic, Hill, Oldring, Kelly, Dyer, Evans, Joy, Murray, N Saxby, Homer, Callaghan, D Saxby, Sim.