Bourne Town take on Blackstones in the semi-final of the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy

A county cup final place will be up for grabs tonight (Wednesday) when Bourne Town tackle Blackstones in the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy.

The derby rivals meet in a semi-final showdown at the JJ Mac Stadium (7.45pm) for the right to meet Lincoln United in the final.

It is the second cup clash of the season between the near neighbours with higher level Bourne having knocked out Blackstones in their FA Vase tie in September.

However, the two sides go into this evening's match in different form with Bourne targeting a return to winning ways.

After going on a 19-match unbeaten run, Bourne have lost their last two games in the United Counties League Premier Division North.

They were beaten 2-0 at Lincoln United last Tuesday before going down to a 3-2 home loss to Heanor Town at the weekend.

Manager Michael Goode said: "We've got to roll our socks up now because it is a big game for us.

"It's a semi-final and both teams will be going at it.

"Blackstones are on fire at the moment and playing some really good football but we're an experienced side, it's at home so we've got to pull it together.

"It's a good chance to get back to winning ways and it's also an opportunity to get to a cup final so we've got to turn up in front of what should be a decent crowd."

After conceding two early goals in the weekend defeat, Bourne produced a strong response but missed some good chances to bank the three points.

Goode added: "We've got to pick ourselves up and we've got three home games in real quick succession.

"I'd have been more worried if we had slipped off in the second half on Saturday and capitulated but we really showed some grit and determination.

"We haven't been used to losing and that's because we've done so well. We've just got to find a response now.

"We're still in a good place and we showed a lot of character in the second half on Saturday.

"We played the type of football that we haven't done for a while.

"As an unbeaten run goes on, you get a bit more cagey. We had been finding a way to win games and maybe not with the best football. That's good but it only gets you so far."

Blackstones are in a rich vein of form themselves after surging into the Division One play-off places.

They have won eight of their last nine league games and head into the last four tie on the back of a five-match winning run.

Joint manager Jon Harrison said: "It will be a good test for us but it's arguably more important for Bourne after losing the last two games.

"We want to give a good account of ourselves and I know that the lads will give it their all.

"There is no pressure on our boys and hopefully we can give them a good game because you never know in cup football."

The co-Blackstones boss was also full of praise for Bourne's achievements this season with the Wakes reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Vase having won promotion back to the step five of the non-league pyramid last season.

Harrison added: "We're playing against one of the top eight sides in the country at our level in terms of what Bourne have done in the FA Vase.

"They are riding high and they've got unbelievable momentum in terms of what they've done on and off the pitch.

"If you put the obvious rivalries aside, it's brilliant to see what Bourne have done and fair play to them, both on and off the pitch.

"They've taken promotion in their stride and you can only congratulate them on what they've done so far this season."

Stones claimed a higher level scalp in the last round with a 3-0 home success over Skegness Town after knocking out Louth Town on penalties at the first stage.

Bourne romped to a 10-2 away win at Appleby Frodingham in the first round before securing a 5-0 success at Pinchbeck United in the quarter-finals.