KENNY Vaughan can hardly contain his glee about Poppies’ clash with Winchester City in the Sydenhams League Cup final in May.

Poppies’ boss saw them pip Bemerton 2-1 in a last-four extra-time thriller with goals from Jake Rowley and Jon Blake after Harlequins had led.

Winchester overcame Hamble on penalties in the other semi following a 2-2 draw after extra time.

Poppies are aiming to carry off their first silverware since joining the Wessex League in 1985.

Vaughan said: “I’m just glad Winchester got through because I wanted them in the semis.

“It was really tight when we beat them 1-0 at home in the league. We were also 1-0 up in stoppage time at their place. Then, they got a dubious penalty and snatched a 2-1 triumph.

“Winchester are a good footballing side and so are we.

“No disrespect to Hamble, they’re strong and physical, but not the best footballing side.

“So I think we’d have a harder job beating them than Winchester in the final. It would be colossal if we could win the cup.

“The nearest Poppies have got to winning anything recently is when Alex Pike managed them to second in the league in 1995 and Lymington Town triumphed 7-6 on penalties in the 2007 cup final.”

Poppies: Harvell, Arnold, Crutcher, Byrne, Taylor, Hogan (Pickett 65), Phillipson-Masters (Wyatt 110), Blake, Rowley, Green, Kemble (Rudd 118). Unused subs: Hodgson, Vaughan.