GOTHAM are through to the Hampshire Junior A Cup final following a nail-biting 2-1 semi-final victory against Southampton Saturday League Whiteley Wanderers.

Also MA Hart Page Croft Cup finalists, Gotham had a scare when the visitors hit the post with their first attack.

But they responded perfectly, establishing a two-goal lead in the opening half hour.

Daryl Power (pictured) put Gotham in front after seven minutes. The lead was doubled 20 minutes later when Shane Sheridan was brought down and he met the resulting free-kick with a towering far-post header.

Whiteley halved the deficit in the 32nd minute and Gotham were relieved to survive appeals for a penalty, as the first half drew to a close. Gotham looked to have eased the pressure when Sheridan had the ball in the visitors’ net from a corner but referee Ian Chiddicks had spotted an offence and the effort was disallowed.

But two goals proved enough to earn them a place in the final at AFC Portchester on Saturday, April 27. They will meet Harvest Home, the unbeaten leaders of the Mid Solent League.

FC Barolo’s bid to reach the Dorset Junior Cup final ended in a 3-0 semi-final defeat at Okeford United.

Meanwhile, Lewis Sainval was the four-goal star when second-placed Bournemouth Electric blitzed Parley Sports 9-1 in Hayward Saturday Premier Division.

Jolyn May (2), Tom Lanham, Drew McGregor and Robbie Harber were the other Electric marksmen while Joe Swallow replied for Parley.

Westover Bournemouth’s lead at the top of the table was reduced to three points following their 0-0 draw with third-placed Hamworthy Recreation.

Meanwhile, reigning champions Bournemouth Manor gained ground on Westover and Rec with a third successive victory.

Leading against Bisterne United courtesy of a first-half strike from Terry Foote, Manor went further ahead through Martin Sault and a header from substitute Sam Davis.

Timo Gleed then grabbed a consolation goal for Bisterne to make the final score 3-1.

AFC Burton recorded back-to-back league victories for the first time this season when Mitch East, Jamie Trimble and Dan Cook ensured a 3-0 success against Bournemouth University.

Bournemouth Electric reserves are two points clear at the top of Division One after sweeping aside AFC Burton reserves 6-1 thanks to Lucas Gelsleichter, Abraham Adesoji, Lee O’Connell, Matt Blake and a couple of goals from Teddy Hills.

Joe Sparks scored Burton’s consolation goal.

Nearest rivals Milford led courtesy of Matt Vining’s 29th-minute strike but Portcastrian came back with second-half goals from Pepe Smith and Billy Westbrook to topple them 2-1.

Queen’s Park Athletic took over in second place after Martin Smith struck twice in their 5-1 triumph over Fordingbridge Turks.

Lloyd Pearce, Adam Clark and Dean Mellor were the other Queen’s Park marksmen with Lee Kirby replying for Turks.

Liam Welton’s brace proved decisive in Mudeford Men’s Club’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth Sports.

Liam Walls was the other Mudeford scorer, while Sports’ goal came from Mike Oxford.

In the other Division One game, Ryan Attree, Ryan Hamm, Josh Bishop and Jake Warry gave Bransgore United the edge 4-3 against Bournemouth Manor reserves, who replied through Austin Roberts and a couple of goals from Mark Wheeler.

Talbot Rise have a three-point lead at the top of Division Two after their 4-0 success against Burley thanks to Tylor Burgis, Jason Lock and a couple of goals from Liam House.

Nearest rivals New Milton Eagles netted through Justin Keeler (2) and Jamie Vibert but they had to settle for a point when Sam Lindup (2) and Lee Taylor earned Ringwood United a 3-3 draw.

Gotham reserves’ title hopes were dented when they suffered an unexpected 3-1 defeat against Bisterne United reserves, which spoiled their unbeaten league record. John Bailey struck for third-placed Gotham while Bisterne surprised them with goals from Charlie King, Sam Hills and Dan Taylor.