Hants Senior Cup Final: Injured Ben to miss big clash

The former Portsmouth youth team captain, who has spent a decade at Westleigh Park, is ruled out of the Hampshire Senior Cup final against Aldershot Town by a foot injury.

Originally signed by the old Havant Town club following his release from Fratton Park, Basingstoke-based Price has been a cornerstone of the Havant & Waterlooville side since the clubs merged four years ago.

Co-manager Mick Jenkins said: "It's a shame Ben has to miss out on such a big occasion, particularly in his testimonial year. He cut his foot against Hednesford recently and unfortunately it's become infected.

"Ben's bitterly disappointed. He's played 190 games since H&W was formed and many more before that with Havant Town. He's given good service to the club and it would have been nice to have him out there tonight."

Fellow defenders Shaun Gale (groin) and Liam Daish (hamstring) have been having daily treatment but both should be fit for a Hawks side who are desperate to avenge a shock 2-0 defeat by underdogs Andover in last year's farewell final at The Dell.

For Jenkins, there is also a Hampshire Senior Cup jinx to dispel. He has been to three finals so far as a player and manager - and has yet to finish on the winning side.

"As a player, I went to Fratton Park with Waterlooville and we lost 1-0 to Farnborough and then I went back with Havant and lost 1-0 to Waterlooville," he said. "County cup finals and me just don't seem to go."

Aldershot, who have lifted the cup twice in the last three years, estimate bringing 2,500 supporters down for the first ever St Mary's final. "Including complimentaries, we should hopefully have somewhere between 3,000 to 4,000," forecast Simon Huntley of the Hampshire FA.

Havant & Waterlooville: (from) Nicholls, May, Connolly, Ferrett, Gale, Hall, Daish, Blake, Davis, Champion, Hambley, Paul Wood, Taylor, O'Rourke, Leworthy, Masson, Barnett.