JOINT-BOSS Paul Sadler praised the “passion and hunger” of his Little Oakley players after watching them ease into the Border League Knockout Cup semi-finals.

Sam Eldridge blasted a hat-trick as the Acorns proved too strong for Great Bentley, winning last weekend’s quarter-final 3-0.

Oakley now host Alresford Colne Rangers in a last-four tussle next Saturday.

And with an important Kent Blaxill Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division match at West Bergholt to come tomorrow, Sadler hopes his side can build on their ruthless performance at the Memorial Ground.

“We showed the passion and hunger that had been missing in previous weeks,” he said.