Kane’s at the double as Royals reach first county cup final
AFC Portchester are through to the final of the Hampshire Senior Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
The Royals came from behind to beat a youthful Southampton XI 3-1 at the On-Site Stadium on Tuesday.
Sub Kane O’Keefe was the hero, introduced in the 68th minute and netting with two headers – his first goals for the club.
After falling behind in the first half to a Josh Pitts goal, Portchy levelled on 55 minutes from the penalty spot. Harrison Brook had seen a spot-kick saved during last weekend’s Wessex League loss at fellow promotion hopefuls Shaftesbury, but he made no mistake this time
The Saints fielded mainly an under-18 side, with just three survivors - including Pitts and skipper Tommy Dobson-Ventura - from the starting XI that had beaten Horndean 4-1 in the last eight.
Portchester will now face two tiers higher AFC Totton in the final at Aldershot’s ground on Friday, May 10.
Totton reached the final with a 3-1 home win over AFC Bournemouth’s youngsters, with ex-Hawks striker
Scott Rendell among the goalscorers.
Portchy are only the ninth Wessex League club to reach the Hampshire Senior Cup final. Only three have lifted the silverware - Andover (2001), Winchester City (2005) and Alresford (2013).
*The Royals will be bidding to become only the third Portsmouth area club to win the competition since Havant Town in 1995.
Gosport Borough defeated Sholing 3-0 in 2015 with goals from Justin Bennett (penalty), Alex Wilde and Tobi Adekunle.
Hawks then won the cup three times in four seasons – in 2016, 2018 and 2019 – under the management of Lee Bradbury.
*Portchy have the chance of reaching a second cup final next Tuesday, when they host AFC Stoneham in the semi-finals of the Wessex League Cup.
The winners will play Downton or Hamble Club in the final at Portchester.
According to the Wessex League, the final is scheduled for May 11 – but that will have to be changed if Portchester reach it due to the HSC date.