THE Suffolk County Cup competitions return with a vengeance this weekend.

A solitary tie – Woodbridge Town’s 5-0 victory away to Waveney Athletic in the first round of the Best Badges Suffolk Veterans’ Cup – took place last Sunday.

That was the first county cup action anywhere since the middle of December last year when the coronavirus pandemic caused all competitions to be paused.

A total of 42 ties are scheduled across six competitions on Saturday and Sunday, with ten of those in the second round of the Total Football Suffolk Junior Cup.

One of the most intriguing ties sees AFC YourShirts, who were runners-up in the Suffolk Primary Cup in 2016-17 and again in 2017-18, entertain Bacton United 89.

Bacton were winners of this competition in 2016-17 and losing finalists as recently as 2018-19.

Elmswell, who were runners-up in last season’s Suffolk Primary Cup Final, host Brandon Town, while there is a local derby between Puddlebrook 68 and Haverhill Town Youth.

Two of the remaining three second-round ties in the McDonald’s Suffolk Primary Cup are also on Saturday.

Clare Town Reserves welcome Great Blakenham Chequers, while Somersham Reserves are at home to Kesgrave Kestrels.

Please note that kick-off times for Saturday’s county cup matches have been changed from those originally advertised due to the funeral of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The action continues apace on Sunday with eight ties apiece in three different competitions.

It is the third round in both the Veo Suffolk Sunday Shield and the Bluefin Sports Suffolk Sunday Trophy on Sunday morning.

Then in the afternoon the second round of this season’s HomeStore Self Storage Suffolk Women’s Cup takes centre stage.

Needham Market, runners-up in 2018-19, take on AFC Sudbury, the 2013-14 winners and the only club to break Ipswich Town’s strangehold on the competition in the last nine seasons.

The holders make the short trip to Brantham Athletic, while Brett Vale, who they defeated in the delayed 2019-20 final, head west to face Bury Town.

Brett Vale (blue shirts) are pictured above defending against Ipswich Town (maroon shirts) in last season’s final at Bloomfields, home of Needham Market FC. Photograph: Paul Voller

There are also six ties in the Best Badges Suffolk Veterans' Cup scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

A reminder that no spectators are allowed if a match is taking place on private land. Spectators are permitted if the match is taking place on public land but should check with the host club first before attending.

Weekend Fixtures

Saturday

Kick-offs 12.30pm unless stated:

Total Football Suffolk Junior Cup Second Round: AFC YourShirts v Bacton Utd, Bungay Town A v Thurston, Elmswell v Brandon Town, Kirton Athletic v Beccles Caxton, Puddlebrook 68 v Haverhill Town Youth, Spexhall Huntsman & Hounds v Redgrave Rangers (4.20pm), Sporting 87 v Tattingstone Utd, Stanton v Exning Utd (4.20pm), Ufford Sports v Stowupland Falcons, Wickham Market v Mutford & Wrentham.

McDonald’s Suffolk Primary Cup Second Round: Clare Town Res v Great Blakenham Chequers, Somersham Res v Kesgrave Kestrels.

Sunday

Kick-offs 10.30am unless stated:

Veo Suffolk Sunday Shield Third Round: Breda v Hardy, Bury Bowl v Eastbury Eagles, Gainsborough Utd v Playford, Haverhill & Hove Albion v Baltic Utd, Lakenheath v Boleyn, Taverners v Occold, The Racing Centre v Barrow, Westbourne Warriors v The Feathers.

Bluefin Sports Suffolk Sunday Trophy Third Round: Chantry Phoenix v Bacton Utd, Cockfield Utd v Eye Saints, Ipswich Pythons v Elmswell Athletic, Northam Celtic v Bury Utd, Rushmere & Diamonds Res v Crafted Athletic, Stoke by Clare v Tollgate, Wamil Wasps v West Suffolk Wolves, Wickham Wanderers v Brickmakers Arms.

HomeStore Self Storage Suffolk Women’s Cup Second Round: Brantham Athletic v Ipswich Town (2.30pm), Bungay Town v Woodbridge Town (2.30pm), Bury Town v Brett Vale (2.30pm), East Bergholt Utd v Henley Athletic (2.30pm), East Bergholt Utd Res v Haverhill Rovers (2.30pm), Halesworth Town v Waveney (2.30pm), Needham Market v AFC Sudbury (2.30pm), Stowupland Falcons v Needham Market Res (2.30pm).

Best Badges Suffolk Veteran’s Cup Second Round: Barham Athletic v Lakenheath Casuals, Bury Town v Black Boy, Cornard Utd v ETC Lowestoft, Kedington v Henley Athletic, Waveney v BOCA Norman Warriors Res, Westbourne Warriors v Bramford Road Old Boys.