The Community Trust took on Ipswich-based J Breheny Contractors Ltd on Monday evening on the artificial surface behind Portman Road's Brittannia Stand under floodlights.
There was plenty of good football on show as ITCT kept the ball well and created plenty of openings in the First Half. In the 25th minute they made the breakthrough when Andy Crump got to the byline and pulled the ball back to Colchester who slotted home from 12 yards.
However, Breheny were a physically strong side and they looked dangerous from set pieces, and it was from a corner that they were awarded a penalty kick in the 30th minute. The referee spotted a push and the Breheny Skipper Shaun Peachment stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way. The two teams went in at 1-1 at half-time with all to play for in the Second Half.
ITCT came out for the second half with purpose and were beginning to dominate proceedings, with Andy Crump in central midfield pulling all the strings. In the 62nd minute the Community Trust were back in front; Colchester received the ball 30 yards from goal, turned his defender and hit a stunner of a strike from 25 yards which bent into the top corner leaving the keeper with no chance at all.
Breheny tried desperately to get a foothold in the game but struggled to keep hold of the ball as they began to tire, and it was ITCT who scored their crucial third goal which sealed the victory; Andy Crump broke up field following a Breheny corner and he followed his 60 yard run with cross to Colchester who finished expertly to clinch his hatrick.
The game was played in an excellent spirit with both teams contributing to an entertaining game played in front of almost 40 people.
Elsewhere in the competition, Barnes Group edged past Allport in an extremely close match. With penalties looming, Barnes Group claimed the victory thanks to a Matthew McLaughlin goal in extra-time to send the Ipswich-based Construction firm into the Quarter-Finals.
Also joining ITCT and Barnes Group are Churchill. The Insurance firm defeated Muntons at Stowmarket Town in a 7-goal thriller. The game was end-to-end but it was Churchill who took their chances, and with it the victory, running out 5-2 winners.
The other team to progress to the Quarter-Finals are Call Connection. They went head-to-head with ASDA but were too good on the night, claiming a convincing 7-2 victory and will be confident going into their next match whoever they play.
The next match in the Ipswich Inter-Firm Cup sees a repeat of last season's Semi-Final, with ISG Jackson taking on Ipswich Area Police at Ipswich Wanderers FC on Thursday 29th October. Last season it took a dramatic penalty shootout to separate the teams with the Police coming out on top.
Kick-off is at 7:30pm so why not pop along and witness the excitement and drama of the Ipswich Inter-Firm Cup for yourself?
For more information on the Ipswich Inter-Firm Cup, and to view Fixtures and Results in full, please use the related links.