Badshot Lea manager Gavin Smith was pleased to see his side book a place in the Aldershot Senior Cup final with a 2-1 win at Hartley Wintney in the semi-finals on Tuesday evening.

The Baggies are the defending champions in the competition – having beaten Westfield 2-0 in the final last season – and will face the same opponents in next Tuesday’s final (May 7) at Aldershot Town’s EBB Stadium.

Smith’s side were quick out of the traps and took the lead in the 11th minute when Kareem Akinnibi found the bottom corner. The Baggies doubled their advantage on 21 minutes when George Hedley headed home from Cam Rohart-Brown’s corner. Conor Lynch pulled a goal back for the home side in the 31st minute, but the Baggies were able to see the rest of the game out and seal their spot in the final.

“We deserved to win the game,” said Smith. “For a semi-final it was quite flat, but we were the better team. We deserved to go 2-0 up. The pitch was bobbly, but it was as good as you can expect at this time of the season. Our boys at the top end of the pitch were good. Kareem had the beating of his centre-back and Lamin Ceesay had the beating of the left-back. Anuar Ceesay set up the first goal, which was well finished by Kareem.

“Once you get to that semi-final you really want to get through to the final. The most important thing was that we won the game. It’s great to be back at Aldershot for the final. It’s a good pitch and there is usually a good crowd. It will give the boys a chance to impress in front of the people who are watching. It’s a chance to win some silverware.”