BOURNEMOUTH Poppies tonight clinched a place in the final of the Wessex League Cup thanks to Jon Blake’s dramatic extra-time winner against Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

But acclaimed goalkeeper Jason Harvell was the hero of the hour at Brockenhurst’s Grigg Lane, his miraculous save capping a memorable comeback for Kenny Vaughan’s men.

With an absorbing semi-final showdown in the balance at 1-1 in the first half of extra-time, Harvell pulled off a spellbinding stop to thwart Harlequins captain Jack Slade from point-blank range.

Earlier, Jake Rowley had netted with an opportunist effort eight minutes from the end of normal time to cancel out Graham Mankin’s 25th-minute headed opener for the holders.

And after Harvell’s exploits had left Slade and the Harlequins supporters open-mouthed, Blake popped up to glance home a header to seal the win with 10 minutes remaining.

Poppies will meet Wessex League leaders Winchester City in the final on the first Monday of May at a venue yet to be decided. They booked their place with a penalty shootout win over Hamble tonight.

“Jason’s save was out of this world,” said Poppies boss Vaughan. “I don’t think I have ever seen a better one in this league and you would have to go a long way to see a better one anywhere.

“It was a major turning point in the tie and gave us the spur to go on to win. It was a game of few chances but there was plenty of endeavour from both sides.

“We probably had three chances and scored two and they didn’t have many either. The players ran until they were ready to drop and got what they deserved in the end.

“I am absolutely delighted to have reached the final. In the words of Mick Channon after the 1976 FA Cup semi-final for Southampton “now we have got to go on to win it!”

As well as Harvell’s wonder save, Harlequins will also point to a strong claim for a penalty after Poppies defender Joe Byrne appeared to keep out a goalbound effort with his arm during the second half.

Poppies: Harvell, Arnold, Taylor, Byrne, Crutcher, Blake, Rowley, Phillipson-Masters (Wyatt, 100), Kemble, Green (Rudd, 118), Hogan (Pickett, 50). Unused subs: Hodgson, Vaughan (g/k).