BAA 0 Robin Hood3

Shannon Burchall struck a hat-trick as Robin Hood cruised into the semi-finals of the FA Cup after defeating BAA at Goose Gosling Field on Saturday night.

Hood, the Premier Division leaders, viewed the tie as a “potential banana skin” but ensured there would be no slip-ups with a comfortable victory.

Burchall gave Hood the lead in eleventh minute with a lobbed effort over Andrew Kempe, the BAA goalkeeper, before adding his second with a strike from outside the box on the 36 minutes. BAA stuck to their passing-game principles throughout and nearly reduced the deficit when Tyrell Burgess, the former Bermuda player — sitting in front of the back four — rattled the crossbar with a fierce effort.

Hood, the FA Cup champions, took firm control of the game soon after the restart when Burchall, leading the line, completed his hat-trick with a slight miskick from close range after getting on the end of a Lejuan Simmons cross from the right.

Despite trailing by three goals, BAA continued to play some attractive football but were unable to create any clear-cut chances, with Joshua DeSilva going closest after dragging a shot wide of the far post.

For Hood, the win keeps them on track for a league and cup double.

“It was definitely a banana skin because Kenny’s [Thompson] sides play some good football,” Kyle Lightbourne, the Hood coach, said.

“We knew how to deal with it and tonight I thought it was a comfortable victory.

“I’m pleased because we kept another clean sheet and I want another two in the league — that’s what I’m aiming for.”

Lightbourne praised the performance of Burchall after forcing his way back into the side.

“He’s been the team of late on merit and I’m happy for him,” he said. “He’s popped in with some important goals in the last few games.”

Lightbourne has called for Hood to remain calm with two league games to go and an FA Cup semi-final on the horizon.

“We just have to take each game as it comes and keep working hard as a unit,” he added.

“Everything is in place and we just have to keep putting in performances until the end of the season.”