Last two cup final spots up for grabs
THE last two remaining Suffolk county cup final places will be settled this weekend.
It’s the KBB NEFF Suffolk Junior Cup Semi-Finals on Saturday, with four teams aiming for a place in the showpiece final at Portman Road on Tuesday, May 14th.
Bacton United 89, who face Halesworth Town at Notcutts Park, home of Woodbridge Town FC, will be bidding to make up for the disappointment of last season.
They missed out on a Portman Road appearance after losing 2-0 to eventual runners-up Trimley Red Devils at the semi-final stage 12 months ago.
However, Touchline SIL Division One side Bacton did lift the cup the year before, beating Oulton Broad 3-2 after extra time in a thrilling final at Colchester United FC. The Bacton players are pictured above (foreground) shaking hands with their opponents before kick-off.
Their opponents Halesworth Town have not won the Suffolk Junior Cup since the 1923-24 season, defeating Exning United 3-0 in the final.
Although Halesworth play a league below Bacton they are on course to win promotion to Division Two as champions, remaining unbeaten so far with 17 wins and three draws from their 20 completed fixtures.
The other semi-final sees Touchline SIL Division One sides Sporting 87 and Bildeston Rangers face each other at the Denny Bros Stadium, home of Bury Town FC.
Sporting, who are second, and Bildeston, who are third, are vying to see who will win promotion to the Senior Division alongside Old Newton United, so a close encounter is on the cards.
Neither Sporting nor Bildeston have ever reached the final of this competition, but come Saturday tea-time one club will be celebrating not only that achievement but also looking forward to walking out at Portman Road next month.
Weekend Fixtures
Saturday
KBB NEFF Suffolk Junior Cup Semi-Finals: Bildeston Rangers v Sporting 87 at Bury Town FC (2.30pm), Bacton Utd v Halesworth Town at Woodbridge Town FC (2.30pm).