MANAGER Denis Handley described retaining the Suffolk Primary Cup as a ‘massive achievement’ for Bures United.

Handley’s side defeated AFC YourShirts 2-0 in Tuesday night’s final at Portman Road courtesy of Tom Wingfield’s 28th minute opener and a Jack Hubbard penalty in the 72nd minute.

He said: “It is a massive achievement from the boys. We have done it the hard way this season as in every single round we have been drawn away from home.

“The boys have deserved this tonight from start to finish. It is fantastic for the final to be at Portman Road – what a great stadium to play at and win the cup!

“I would like to thank Ipswich Town for putting the final on and Suffolk FA for their hard work.”

Handley, who broke his collarbone in the post-match celebrations after last season’s final and spent three months off work from his job as a carpet fitter, is targeting another trophy this season.

Bures, who won promotion from Division Two of the Essex & Suffolk Border League last Saturday, play in the Tommy Thompson Cup Final against Tiptree Heath on Thursday, May 17th at Brantham Leisure Centre, kick-off 7.45pm.

He added: “I said to the boys before the game that we could end with three runners-up trophies, or we could win two cups to add to our promotion, so we are delighted to retain the Primary Cup.

“They are a great bunch of lads who give everything week in, week out.

“We took our chances and they didn’t, but well done to AFC YourShirts for getting to the final again. They have another cup final this weekend so good luck to them in that.”

AFC YourShirts Joint Manager Craig Ottaway said: “The odds on the same two teams reaching the final this season were very small, so we were excited to have another chance, and even more so to play at Portman Road.

“The same as last year (at Colchester United) we have been given a night everyone will remember and an opportunity not many people get, so we really appreciate Suffolk FA giving us that.

“Unfortunately it was not meant to be. I thought we were nervous early on and it gave us a hill to climb.

“But if Kieren Cotterell’s header early in the second half had gone in it could have been a different game. 

“We created a lot of chances, but nothing fell for us. The lads did their best and worked really hard, but mistakes cost us.”

AFC YourShirts, who have won promotion as runners-up Division Three in the Touchline SIL, have another chance to end the season with some silverware.

They meet Woolverstone United in the Club Colours Cup Final at Framlingham Town on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.