FOOTBALL: THE odds were stacked against Bemerton Heath Harlequins before this game against the side they face in next week's League Cup semi-finals even started.

Matty Holmes, Carl Jones and Andrew Waters were all out due to a flu virus while Paul Gulliver was away on county duty in the Channel Islands.

After a lunchtime downpour, the referee passed the ground fit for play at 2pm, although water was still lying on the pitch and it appeared to be just a sea of mud.

Bemerton also defended a howling wind in the first half and Totton relished the opportunity to pump balls forward.

The 'Quins defended resolutely and goalkeeper Colin Hopkins was in tremendous form but they found it difficult to control and pass the ball in such awful conditions.

Gary Burden was again in fine form, keeping danger man Martin Whiddett away from goal, and Hopkins pulled off a magnificent save as Scott Bundy burst free.

It was always going to be difficult for defenders and Dan Newman got his head to a Pat James cross to steer the ball into his own net after 16 minutes for his first own goal.

The 'Quins first shot at goal came in the 24th minute when Jamie Boswell fired way over the bar.

Darren Harding got in a good tackle to get the ball away for a corner and from the kick Mike Jackson headed against the upright.

However, Totton's second arrived on 44 minutes when Bundy lashed the ball into the net after being put through by Whiddett.

Early in the second half, Harding received an injury and was replaced by Anthony Rochester who was making his debut.

Bemerton forced their way into the game, but they missed the few chances that they had. Danny Aplin and Neil Cole failed with clear-cut opportunities.

Ben Thomson replaced Mark Osman and he was soon in the game to put Totton 3-0 up on 72 minutes with a delightful chip over Hopkins into the far corner.

It became four just minutes later when James' cross saw Newman head on to his own crossbar and Whiddett followed in to score.

Jackson was sent off for a second booking on 80 minutes when he foolishly kicked the ball away, and Newman was booked for arguing.

Newman then scored his second own goal of the game with a strong header into the roof of the net from a low driven James cross.

To cap it all, goalkeeper Wayne Shaw dropped the ball over his head and into the net for a Harlequins consolation goal.

ON Saturday Heath entertain Cowes Sports before Tuesday night's Jewson Wessex League Cup semi-final first leg at home to AFC Totton, kick off 7.45pm.