Hampshire Cup Preview: Baffins vs Aldershot Town

Five-time Hampshire Senior Cup champions are in PO3 as Baffins welcome National League Aldershot Town to PMC Stadium in the quarter-final of this year’s competition.

It’s the first time Baffins have reached this stage of the Hampshire Cup, after penalty shoot-out victory over Southern League Lymington Town in the club’s debut third round appearance.

Tonight’s challenge steps up further as Rovers prepare to face a step-one team for the first time in a competitve fixture. Aldershot Town’s youngsters have progressed past Andover Town — who Baffins beat seven days ago to reach the League Cup final — and Sholing, both by 4-1 scorelines to reach the last-eight stage.

In the previous round against Sholing, Jayden Smith, Ash Akpan, Flynn Bolton and Mason Obeng all found the target against the Southern League Division One South leaders, who fielded six debutants of their own.

Aldershot Town sit nine points above the drop zone in the National League standings, and the Hampshire Cup represents their only chance of a trophy this term after defeat in the FA Trophy to FC Halifax on Saturday 11 March.

Ross McNeilly’s side have recently bolstered their ranks with the signing of highly-rated Maidstone United hitman Jack Barham, who scored against the Shots at EBB Stadium back in August.

Tyler Frost and Joe Partington both scored in the second-half at Roots Hall on Saturday as Shots secured a comeback victory at Southend United.

Baffins will be in confident mood ahead of the clash with four-tiers higher Aldershot, after Tom Vincent and Liam Brewer found the target in a 3-0 victory at Cowes Sports on Saturday — completing three wins in seven days.

Team news

Danny Thompson will miss the quarter-final tie, so Matt Jones will be in touchline charge for the second time this campaign. Rob Evans (suspension) and Jason Parish (injured) will remain sidelined, but Dillon North could feature after being unavailable for the trip to the Island.

Supporters can take advantage of discounted deals at Tuesday night's quarter-final clash, with printed programmes available on the turnstiles.