THE Hampshire FA Senior Cup final between Eastleigh and AFC Totton at St Mary’s Stadium next month will be used to experiment with goal line technology.

The International Football Association Board – which determine the laws of the game – are currently putting various systems through their paces to see if they prove viable ahead of a possible implementation later this year.

Hampshire-based Hawk-Eye – one of two systems being considered – will be tested in ‘live’ conditions during the clash between the Spitfires and Stags on May 16 to assess its reliability and accuracy. It will also be used during a second game, to be announced in due course.

Only the testers, and not the match officials, will be able to use the technology, meaning it will have no effect the outcome of the game or any decisions made.

Hawk-Eye and rival system GoalRef are currently undergoing a second phase of testing.

A definitive decision on whether goal line technology will be given the green light is set to be made by the IFAB – made up of the English, Scottish and Welsh FAs, as well as world governing body FIFA – at their special meeting on July 2.

Hampshire FA chief executive Neil Cassar said: "We are delighted to be working with IFAB and FIFA on the testing of goal line technology and fully support the initiative.

"Whilst the system will not be utilised by the match officials, it is particularly pleasing that the Hampshire FA Senior Cup Final has been selected as the live match for testing which will be the first of its kind."