Alresford Town 3, AFC Stoneham 0

Two goals in seven minutes either side of half-time paved the way for Alresford Town to win the Southampton Senior Cup in style at St Mary’s Stadium on Tuesday night.

Steve Hall rose highest to head home the opener from Liam Hibberd’s cross on 39 minutes before Lerone Plummer stunned Wessex League Division One side Stoneham 60 seconds into the second half by applying the finish to a lightning counter-attack.

And substitute Luke Rae put the result beyond doubt on 70 minutes when he turned and fired past the keeper after good work from Plummer.

The cup win at the home of Premier League Southampton proved a real tonic for the Magpies after a rollercoaster season which has seen them drift to mid-table in the Premier Division.

Last Saturday, perhaps with their minds on Tuesday’s night’s cup final, Alresford suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Christchurch at Arlebury Park when a 17th-minute goal from Adam Pearson was cancelled out by strikes from Kieran Douglas and Nick Swann.

On Saturday, the Magpies close out their season with a trip to Dorset to face Shaftesbury (kick-off 3pm).

Alresford Town (v AFC Stoneham): Tewkesbury, Hibberd, Burt, Blaxall (Whitely 62), Pearson, Dempsey, Plummer, Mason, Coventry (Rae 60), McCartney (Doswell 75), Hall. Subs (not used): Russell, Farrelly.

*Horndean guaranteed the runners-up spot behind Wessex League Premier Division champions Sholing with a goalless draw away at third-placed Bournemouth last Saturday – their second 0-0 draw in their last four outings, with two thumping wins against Fareham and Shaftesbury in between.

On Saturday, Horndean round off their successful season at home to Isle of Wight strugglers Cowes Sports.

*In Wessex League Division One, Petersfield Town drew 0-0 last Saturday with Southampton Senior Cup finalists AFC Stoneham and this Saturday complete their fixtures against third-placed Romsey Town at Love Lane (kick-off 3pm).