IPSWICH Town have received a walkover victory in the semi-finals of this season’s HomeStore Self Storage Suffolk Women’s Cup, after the withdrawal of AFC Sudbury.

The two teams were scheduled to meet in the last four this coming Sunday at Brantham Leisure Centre, but AFC Sudbury notified Suffolk FA of their withdrawal over the weekend. AFC Sudbury had won 5-0 away to Coplestonians in last month’s quarter-final.

The tie was due to be a repeat of last season’s final between the two clubs at Colchester United FC, which Ipswich Town won 5-1. Ipswich (blue shirts) are pictured celebrating one of their goals above.

It means that holders Ipswich will now face either Haverhill Rovers or Needham Market, who meet in the other semi-final on Sunday, in the final at Portman Road on Tuesday, May 7th, kick-off 7.30pm.

An AFC Sudbury club spokesman said: “Unfortunately AFC Sudbury will not be able to field a team against Ipswich Town Ladies in this season’s semi-final of the County Cup.

“It has been a season of transition for our Ladies’ team this year, unfortunately a spate of recent long-term injuries combined with new signings being cup-tied has left us with no alternative but to withdraw from the competition.

“This regretful step is not a decision that has been taken lightly, but we felt we should give as much notice as possible rather than withdraw at the last minute.”

AFC Sudbury are currently bottom of the Premier Division of the East Region Women’s Football League, with just one win and four points from 19 matches this season.

The team lost 12-1 away to Harlow Town on Sunday following on from a 9-2 defeat at Haringey Borough the previous weekend.

Suffolk FA County Cup Competitions Manager Adrian Moye said: “I am disappointed that AFC Sudbury are unable to raise a team to play in a semi-final of a County Cup competition and I know they are too.

“However, I hope they can bounce back from this in Women’s football because they are a fantastic club at Youth and senior level.”

Meanwhile, both of Sunday’s scheduled Suffolk Sunday Shield Semi-Finals were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

Weekend Results

Sunday

Suffolk Sunday Shield Semi-Finals: Elmsett Utd v Fusilier at Framlingham Town FC – postponed, Holbrook Swan v Walton Wanderers at Ipswich Wanderers – postponed.