Last-eight time in nine competitions
THERE are quarter-final ties scheduled in no less than nine different county cup competitions this weekend.
Starting on Saturday, there is a full programme of matches in the CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup and Suffolk Junior Cup plus one tie in the Days Sports Suffolk Senior Reserve Cup.
You have to go back to the 1985-86 season to find the last time that Westerfield United appeared in the final of the Suffolk Senior Cup.
The Swans defeated Leiston, who of course are now a successful Step 3 club, 4-1 in the final at Portman Road to make amends for the disappointment of losing 1-0 to Bury Town Reserves in the previous season’s final.
Westerfield are just two wins away from reaching this season’s final, but standing in their way are fellow Touchline SIL side and 2017 winners Achilles.
The reigning Senior Division champions were defeated in last season’s semi-finals 3-1 by Woodbridge Town, so will be out to make amends and go one step further this year.
Neither Bourne Vale, who are a new name in the competition this season having taken over from Felixstowe Harpers United, nor Henley Athletic have ever reached the last four, so there will be a new name in this season’s semi-final draw, with the SIL guaranteed two sides.
There’s an all-Thurlow Nunn League clash as Ipswich Wanderers entertain Haverhill Borough.
Wanderers, winners in 2013 and runners-up a year later, have home advantage against the side five places below them in the table.
The quarter-final line-up is completed by Kirkley & Pakefield Reserves and Cornard United.
Kirkley will be looking to emulate the achievement of their first team in reaching last season’s Suffolk Premier Cup semi-final.
Cornard, meanwhile, reached the last four in the 2015-16 season, before losing 2-1 to Haughley United.
The tie of the round in the quarter-finals of the Suffolk Junior Cup is 2017 winners Bacton Utd versus holders AFC Kesgrave. AFC Kesgrave (yellow shirts) are pictured in action during their 3-2 victory versus Trimley Red Devils (blue shirts) in last season's final at Portman Road.
Bildeston Rangers will be bidding to go one step further than last season when they entertain Shotley, after losing 3-1 on penalties to Bacton United 89 following a 2-2 draw in the last eight a year ago.
Neither Sporting 87 nor Mutford & Wrentham have ever won the Junior Cup, but both have the opportunity to move within 90 minutes of a place in this season’s showpiece final at Portman Road.
Likewise, Tacket Street BBOB will be hoping to create history by getting their name on the trophy for the first time.
They are at home to Halesworth, who have lifted the cup three times, although their last triumph came as long ago as the 1923-24 season.
Haughley United and Framlingham Town meet for the right to become the first side to make it through to the last four in this season’s Days Sports Suffolk Senior Reserve Cup.
The following day the focus shifts to the Suffolk Sunday Shield and Suffolk Sunday Trophy.
Lowestoft–based Fusilier booked their place in the last eight of the Suffolk Sunday Shield thanks to an 8-0 victory over Occold last Sunday.
Six other sides will be battling to join them this weekend, while all four quarter-finals are scheduled for the Suffolk Sunday Trophy.
It’s also quarter-final day on Sunday in the four Crown Imperial Girls’ Youth Cups.
Weekend Fixtures
Saturday
Kick-offs 2pm unless otherwise stated:
CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup Quarter-Finals: Achilles v Westerfield Utd, Bourne Vale Utd v Henley Athletic, Ipswich Wanderers v Haverhill Borough (3pm), Kirkley & Pakefield Res v Cornard Utd.
Suffolk Junior Cup Quarter-Finals: Bildeston Rangers v Shotley, Bacton Utd v AFC Kesgrave, Tacket Street BBOB v Halesworth Town, Sporting 87 v Mutford & Wrentham.
Days Sports Suffolk Senior Reserve Cup Quarter-Final: Haughley United Res v Framlingham Town Res.
Sunday
Kick-off 10.30am unless otherwise stated:
Suffolk Sunday Shield Quarter-Finals: Capel Plough v Holbrook Swan, Walton Wanderers v Amboed Utd, Westbourne v Elmsett Utd.
Suffolk Sunday Trophy Quarter-Finals: Assington v Lavenham, Bardwell Sport v Stoke By Clare, Hardy v Great Blakenham Chequers Res, Haverhill & Hove Albion v Monarchs.
Crown Imperial Girls’ Under-12 Cup Quarter-Finals: Capel Plough v Felixstowe & Walton Utd, Ipswich Valley Rangers White v Coplestonians, Kesgrave Kestrels v Haverhill Rovers, Waveney v Stonham Aspal.
Crown Imperial Girls’ Under-13 Cup Quarter-Finals: Coplestonians v Felixstowe & Walton Utd –Home Win Walkover, East Bergholt Utd v Waveney Cougars, Ipswich Valley Rangers Blue v Ipswich Valley Rangers White. Bye: Brandon Town Community.
Crown Imperial Girls’ Under-14 Cup Quarter-Finals: Beccles Town v AFC Sudbury, Haverhill Rovers v Felixstowe & Walton Utd – Away Win Walkover, Ipswich Valley Rangers v Coplestonians, Waveney v Capel Plough.
Crown Imperial Girls’ Under-16 Cup Quarter-Finals: Capel Plough v Waveney Lionesses, Coplestonians v Waveney U15 Foxes, Kesgrave Kestrels v Haverhill Rovers, Stowupland Falcons v Kirkley & Pakefield Sapphires.