AFC Totton
ALDERSHOT TOWN’S EBB STADIUM will play host to the 2023/24 Servio Hampshire Senior Cup Final on the evening of Friday 10 May, when AFC Totton take on AFC Portchester of the Wessex League Premier Division.
It will be The Stags’ fourth ever appearance in the County Cup Final, which was first staged in 1888, with Totton’s other three final outings all coming in consecutive seasons.
In 2010, AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Court played host as Totton defeated Aldershot Town 4-0, and The Stags successfully defended the title with a 3-1 victory over Sholing at St. Mary’s Stadium the following year. But they couldn’t repeat the trick at the same venue in 2012, when Eastleigh ran out 2-0 winners for what remains The Spitfires’ only ever success in the Hampshire Senior Cup to date, despite having reached the Final both in 2020 and 2022, when they lost on penalties on both occassions. The competition was not held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Basingstoke Town are the current holders of the Hampshire Senior Cup, having beaten AFC Bournemouth 1-0 in last year’s Final at Portsmouth’s Fratton Park.
AFC Portchester will be contesting the Final for the first time since the club’s formation in 1971. They were knocked out at the Quarter-Final stage by eventual winners Basingstoke Town last season, and began their 2023/24 campaign with a 6-0 mauling of Fawley AFC in the First Round. In the Second Round, they defeated higher division opposition in Bashley by the only goal of their cup tie at the GlenMex Stadium.
A 3-1 away win at fellow Wessex League Premier Division club Christchurch in the Third Round saw The Royals safely into the Quarter-Finals, in which they needed penalties to get past Alton after a 1-1 draw at their own OnSite Group Stadium home (aka, the Wicor Recreation Ground).
Southampton U21s visited Portchester for the Semi-Final, and took the lead on 34 minutes through Josh Pitts. But a Harrison Brook penalty levelled the scores nine minutes into the second half, before Kane O’Keefe struck twice to win the tie 3-1 and seal AFC Portchester’s first ever appearance in the Hampshire Senior Cup Final.
Portchester finished fourth in the Wessex League Premier Division, but lost their Promotion Play-Off Semi-Final 0-1 to Shaftesbury.
Totton received a bye into the Second Round, and won 2-1 at Hartley Wintney before three consecutive home ties saw them defeat East Cowes Victoria Athletic 7-0 in the Third Round, Royal Navy FA 4-0 in the Quarter-Final, and the AFC Bournemouth Development Squad 3-1 in the Semi-Final.
Speaking after the disappointment of losing the Southern League Premier Division South promotion play-off at home to Salisbury on penalties on Monday night, Stags striker Scott Rendell told the club's Media team:
"It's brutally painful to lose the play-off but we'll be back in training on Thursday, and we'll use the pain from this defeat on Friday. We will be winning that, because we'll make sure of it. And that's no disrespect to Portchester whatsoever, because they are a fantastic side. But we can use that pain on Friday and, how professional these boys are, I know what we'll get from them on Friday night and we'll be the ones lifting that trophy. It's not the one we really wanted but it's a valid competition and a trophy; we want to win it, and that's the way we'll be approaching it."
Tickets are available to purchase online via Aldershot Town FC:
Advanced Prices: Adult £10; Over 65 & Children Under 16 £5; Disabled person £5 (1 carer free)
Matchday Prices: Adult £12; Over 65 & Children Under 16 £6; Disabled person £6 (1 carer free)
Turnstiles open at 6:45pm. There is no parking at the ground. Alternative parking is available in the town centre MSCP on Wellington Avenue (5 minutes' walk to the stadium). There is a burger van open for food/drink. Weather dependent, the outside bar will be open 1 hour before the match and at half-time.
By Ben Rochey-Adams
