SKIPPER Wayne Crutcher knows the Wessex League Cup will provide Bournemouth Poppies with their last chance to crown with silverware a memorable season.

Crutcher played a starring role as Poppies upset the form book to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Vase, their heroic run ended by West Auckland Town 10 days ago.

The 28-year-old will tonight be hoping to gain some consolation by helping Poppies overcome Brockenhurst to book a place in the final of the Wessex League Cup.

Poppies, who lifted the trophy following victory over Winchester City last season, meet the Badgers at New Milton’s Fawcett’s Field with Christchurch awaiting the victors (7.45pm).

And with Poppies well off the pace in the race for the Wessex Premier title and Brockenhurst’s Wessex One promotion push faltering, the tie could offer both clubs their only chance of success this season.

Defender Crutcher told the Daily Echo: “It is an important game for both clubs. For our season not to be dead and buried, we need to make sure we give ourselves an opportunity to retain the cup.

“Everyone around the club is hoping we can book our place in the final and we will be throwing everything at it.

“We will approach the game the same as any other and certainly don’t look upon ourselves as favourites.

“This cup means a lot to us because it was the first trophy we won and this is a game we are really looking forward to.”

Poppies, who have yet to concede a goal in the competition this season, are set to welcome back Sean Hogan, Max Cream and Max Frampton.

Poppies: (from) Frampton, Crow, Jackson, Byrne, Crutcher, Blake, Ingram, Phillipson-Masters, Ewen, Saadi, Taylor, Swann, Mas, Madero, Mena, Hogan, Cream, Vaughan.