HIGHCLIFFE Hawks under-16s clinched a place in the last four of the Hampshire Cup for the second time in three years with a 6-1 over New Milton Robins at Fawcett’s Field.

It was fourth time lucky for the quarter-final fixture which had been postponed for three successive weeks.

Unfortunately for Robins, however, it coincided with a Dorset county representative match that robbed them of goalkeeper Jack Carter and captain Jake Line.

Hawks started brightly and were ahead after five minutes when Jacob Carter finished off a nine-pass move.

And the visitors doubled their advantage when Joshua Bertie converted a penalty after Taylor Leonard was upended in the box.

A headed third goal from Cam-eron Roach, son of ex-Cherries coach Joe, gave Hawks a commanding 3-0 lead at the interval.

Leonard scored Hawks’ fourth shortly after the break, while an own goal and another Bertie goal made up the winners’ tally.

Robins’ consolation goal was a Ben Elliott Haffenden penalty.

Highcliffe manager Ron Birtie said: “Our players continue to adopt the club’s philosophy of pass-and-move football.

“And with Joe watching from the touchline, there was extra motivation to play football the right way.

“Having achieved a Bourne-mouth league and cup double, we hope to go one step further in the Hampshire Cup this time round,” added Birtie.

Robins manager Richard Line, meanwhile, was proud of his team’s achievement.

“After playing 13 games and only losing three, the team were already winners by making it to the quarter-finals of the Hampshire Cup,” said Line.

New Milton Robins: Ben Elliott Haffenden, Luke Woodford, Sam Donvito, Mitch Bentley, Lewis Geard, Will Crossely, Dan Bridle, Kieran Douglas, Brodie Primmer, Rory Martin, Nathan Beddow, Jordy Rogers.

Highcliffe Hawks: Tom Jackson, Ali Burrows, Jack Smith, Dan Arnold, Guy Janes, Jacob Carter, Joeseph Duffy, Connor Cullingford, Cameron Roach, Joshua Birtie, Taylor Leonard, Liam Golding, Tom King.