CRAIG Davis's excitement at leading Bashley out in tonight's Hampshire Senior Cup final is tempered by his disappointment for absent friends.

The 21-year-old West End lad has landed the role of captain at his beloved St Mary's Stadium as Bashley's regular skipper Darren Robson must serve the last of an ill-timed three-match suspension.

Midfielder Robson is not the only player who will be consigned to a place in the stand. Exciting full-back Mark Lisk has missed the last six weeks of the season with a knee injury and goalkeeper David Elm is on crutches with broken bones in his foot after being hit by a car near his Swanage home.

Davis, a goal-scoring midfielder, who doubles up as Bashley's full-time youth development officer, admitted: "Having been a Saints supporter all my life it'll be brilliant to lead us out at St Mary's. All my family are Southampton fans. My brother, Alan, is a season-ticket holder and I went to the FA Cup semi-final with my dad.

"I'm really excited about it, but I do feel sorry for the players who are missing out. Lisky's also a big Saints fan and Elmo's feeling really down about what's happened to him, but he's only young and hopefully he'll have other big games in his career.

"Those lads have been great for us this season and we're not going to forget all they've done to help us reach the final."

That also goes for Bashley's inspirational 33-year-old skipper Robson, who includes tonight's opponents Aldershot Town among his impressive array of past clubs.

According to supporters' player-of-the-year Davis, it is the experienced midfield play-maker who makes the Foresters tick. He said: "We're going to miss Darren not only as our captain but also for his passing on a decent pitch like Southamp-ton's. I don't suppose we'll get any bobbles out there like we've got at Bashley!

"Darren makes us play more than anyone and he's really helped me with my game. This is the first time Bashley have been to the Hampshire Cup final and I know it would have meant a lot to him to captain them."

As a former Cardiff City trainee, Davis has played at a fair few professional grounds - but nothing like the plush Premiership surroundings of St Mary's.

He said: "I've played at Cardiff, Exeter, Plymouth and Peterborough which have all been brilliant, but to play at a Premiership club is something else - especially Southampton. We've won the toss for the home dressing room, too."

The last time Davis captained a team at a professional ground it ended in smiles. He led Cardiff's youth team to a 2-0 victory over Swansea in the Welsh Cup final. A similar result tonight would be a boost for Bash whose Dr Martens Eastern Division promotion quest petered out.

Aldershot are on a high having finally won their long fight for Conference football by finishing as Ryman Premier Division champions."