A PLACE in a Portman Road final is the tantalising prize on offer for the four teams remaining in this season’s KBB NEFF Suffolk Primary Cup Semi-Finals.

Three sides from the Touchline SIL and one from the Essex & Suffolk Border League will be battling it out for a place in the final, which had never previously been staged Ipswich Town’s ground, until last season.

Both last-four ties are scheduled for Friday night, kick-offs 7.45pm.

The all-SIL clash is between Division Three side Thurston and League A opponents Newton United Reserves at Debenham Leisure Centre.

Bedricks Worth, who switched to the SIL this season from the St Edmundsbury Football League, take on AFC Sudbury A in the other semi-final at Walsham-le-Willows FC.

Before then, the first semi-final of the KBB NEFF Suffolk Boys’ Under-18 Midweek Cup is taking place at Stowmarket Town FC between Waslham-le-Willows and Felixstowe & Walton United FC on Thursday night, after the Greens Meadow pitch passed a 2pm pitch inspection.

The final of this competition is being staged at Portman Road for the first time this season, on Thursday, May 9th. The winners of Thursday’s tie will face either Mildenhall Town or AFC Sudbury, the holders, who play next Wednesday at The New Croft in Haverhill.

AFC Sudbury were due to have been involved in a second semi-final this weekend, but they have withdrawn from the HomeStore Self Storage Suffolk Women’s Cup.

Holders Ipswich Town, who were due to be their opponents, will therefore wait to see who they will face in the final. The other semi-final is between Needham Market and Haverhill Rovers at Long Melford FC.

It will be a big day for both clubs – Needham Market will be bidding to reach their second cup final in their first season. They are already through to the final of the Suffolk Girls’ & Women’s League KO Cup, after defeating Alresford Colne Rangers 2-0. They also currently top the table from East Bergholt United on goal difference.

Haverhill Rovers, who only re-formed this season and play in the Cambridgeshire County Girls’ & Women’s League, will be aiming to reach the final of this competition for the third time, after finishing runners-up in both 2001 and 2011.

The semi-finals of the Suffolk Sunday Trophy are also scheduled for this weekend.

Bardwell Sports, who lifted the shield last season, face Haverhill & Hove Albion at Cornard Utd FC, with Hardy meeting Lavenham at Whitton United FC for a place in the final at Super Sunday on Sunday, April 28th at Needham Market FC.

The Lavenham players are pictured above being introduced to AFC Sudbury Secretary David Webb, who was Guest of Honour, before facing Haverhill Borough in the Sunday Trophy Final in 2017 at AFC Sudbury. Haverhill Borough won 5-4 after extra time.

Fixtures

Thursday

KBB NEFF Suffolk Boys’ Under-18 Midweek Cup Semi-Final: Walsham-le-Willows v Felixstowe & Walton Utd at Stowmarket Town FC (7.45pm).

Friday

KBB NEFF Suffolk Primary Cup Semi-Finals: Bedricks Worth v AFC Sudbury A at Walsham-le-Willows FC (7.45pm), Thurston v Old Newton Utd Res at Debenham Leisure Centre (7.45pm).

Sunday

Suffolk Sunday Trophy Semi-Finals: Bardwell Sports v Haverhill & Hove Albion at Cornard Utd FC (10.30am), Hardy v Lavenham at Whitton Utd FC (10.30am).

HomeStore Self Storage Suffolk Women’s Cup Semi-Finals: Needham Market v Haverhill Rovers at Long Melford FC (2.30pm), Ipswich Town v AFC Sudbury – Ipswich Town Walkover Win.