PAUL Coventry’s hat-trick sent Whitchurch United through to the final of the Andover Open Cup winning 5-2, but not before they had been given a fright by visiting Hampshire League side Broughton.

Jim Macey’s men trailed 1-0 at the break and the mother of all tongue lashings from the boss eventually had the desired effect, but not before they conceded a second goal.

Whitchurch finally woke up and Alex Dockree’s cross sailed over the visiting goalie Marcus Green and into the corner.

On the hour Coventry’s fierce free-kick from just on the edge of the box levelled things up.

As fitness began to tell, the visitors’ centre-half James Evans lobbed his own goalkeeper from all of 30 yards.

Green then made the save of the night when tipping a Chris Smalley free-kick onto the bar.

In the final 10 minutes ‘Church made the tie safe as Coventry scored twice.

They will now meet either Stockbridge or Michelmersh. They play their semi on Tuesday, when Whit-church are in final four action in the Basingstoke Senior Cup against New Inn Sports.

Whitchurch boss Macey said: “I ripped into them at half-time and full credit to Broughton they worked really hard. I had 70 per cent of my first team playing and we made hard work of this, but nice to make a final.”

Last Saturday, Macey felt his side did enough to get something out of their game, which they lost 1-0 at league leaders Verwood.

The home side opened the scoring with a great 30-yard strike that hit the post, crossbar and goalkeeper Tom Hindmarsh’s head on its way to the net.

After that ’Church’s Coventry’s 20-yard dipping volley went just over and then sub Louis Macey, on for hamstring victim Grant Powell, went close after a great cross in from David Asker.

After the break, Whitchurch went with three strikers as Ollie Bridges joined Coventry and Macey and, from a Coventry lay-back, Asker went close and, near the end, Macey stormed into the box and was clipped by a defender. He stayed on his feet but only got a weak shot away.

After the game, ’Church boss Macey said: “If they are top of the league then we are not far away.”

This Saturday, Whitchurch entertain Fleet Spurs.