FELIXSTOWE & Walton United have ‘nothing to lose’ in Tuesday’s Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup Final.

Manager Stuart Boardley believes the odds are stacked against the Seasiders causing an upset when they face Needham Market in the final at Bury Town FC, kick-off 7.45pm.

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The Isthmian North promotion-chasers will be without regular goalkeeper Josh Blunkell, who suffered suspected broken ribs in Saturday’s 1-0 win at home to Witham Town.

Boardley said: “We don’t know if he has broken his ribs, but he will definitely be out.

“The only two goalkeepers registered are former first-team keeper Danny Crump and under-18 keeper Zac Tuvey, so it is likely that Danny will step in. It is not ideal, but it is what it is.”

That comes on top of the absence of long-term injuries to Jack Ainsley and Charlie Warren, while Callum Bennett will be missing with a thigh injury.

Former Needham Market striker Ben Fowkes, who recently signed for the Seasiders from Peterborough Sports, will not be eligible to play as he was not registered 21 days before the final.

Boardley said: “We ware going into it with nothing to lose. It is a win-win for us because all the pressure will be on Needham Market as they will be expected to win.

“They are the cup holders and have just won promotion, so the odds are stacked against us. The final has fallen in an important run of games for us when we are trying to finish as high as we can in the league, whereas Needham have clinched their title, so they can play their strongest squad.”

The Seasiders produced a superb display to knock-out higher-league Leiston in the semi-finals, coming back from a goal down to win 2-1.

Boardley said: “When we play the better teams we tend to perform better. We have often struggled against the lesser teams, so it is a challenge which may bring out the best in us.

“I think we have a squad on a par with Leiston, who are a Step 3 side, and that is where we would like to be playing out football next season.”

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Felixstowe & Walton United goalkeeper Josh Blunkell is pictured above making a vital save from Leiston striker Jamar Loza (blue shirt, No.11) in the Seasiders’ 2-1 semi-final victory at Ipswich Wanderers FC. Photograph: Paul Voller