Red Devils march on in the Senior Cup

TRIMLEY Red Devils have reached the Suffolk Senior Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

TRIMLEY Red Devils are through to the last eight of the CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup for the first time in their history.

Two first-half goals at Stennetts Playing Field saw the Macron SIL Senior Division side ease past Haverhill Borough.

The Thurlow Nunn League visitors conceded after just two minutes, Alex Breadman poking home just inside the far post after Matt West crossed from the right.

Trimley’s dominance was rewarded with a second goal five minutes before the break, Ricardo Phillips sliding a pin-point pass through the centre of the defence and Ryan Chidlow sending a first-time sidefoot shot past James Young.

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Ryan Chidlow (red shirt, partially hidden) slots home Trimley Red Devils' second goal past Haverhill Borough goalkeeper James Young. Main photograph Trimley striker Alex Breadman (red shirt, No.9) toe pokes home his side's opening goal after just two minutes. Photographs: Paul Voller

Inbetween, Young had to save well from Tommy Smith’s rising drive after a superb crossfield ball by Sam Osorne saw West cut the ball back to the edge of the penalty area.

The home team looked the more likely to score in the second period, with Young twice producing splendid saves to deny first Ryan Chidlow’s volley after Breadman’s header came back off the crossbar and then Breadman’s close-range header.

The visitors were restricted to just a couple of half-chances, but could have no real complaints at the outcome.

Trimley Red Devils’ manager Craig Chidlow said: “I think we dominated the game. We created so many good chances and their goalkeeper pulled off two or three excellent saves.

“Our problem in the past has been putting the ball in the back of the net. We were dominating teams but were unable to score.

“The early goal today settled us down and we continued to dominate and create good chances, but it didn’t look as though a second goal would come.

“When we did score it came as a result of a great through ball by Ricardo Phillips and Ryan Chidlow finished it really well.

“Haverhill Borough tried to hit a lot of long balls over the top of us, but our centre backs dealt with them well.”

It is only three years ago that Trimley lost 3-2 to AFC Kesgrave in the Suffolk Junior Cup Final at Portman Road.

Chidlow continued: “It is exciting for the club to reach the quarter-finals of the Suffolk Senior Cup for the first time.

“Everyone was excited before the game as we had never reached this far, but we were confident as we have a good squad of players.

“We try to play football the way it should be played and we do create a lot of chances – the difference between last season and this season is that we have tightened up at the back and we are now taking our chances.”

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Trimley Red Devils' goalkeeper Ben Punter claims the ball under pressure from Haverhill Borough striker Finley Fletcher. Photograph: Paul Voller

Haverhill Borough boss Guy Habbin said: “They were the better side. If you play here regularly you know how to play on that pitch.

“We came here with several players missing through injury and through other circumstances, but we put out a side to try to win the game as we had done in the last two rounds, but we just didn’t do enough to go through.

“Conceding an early goal didn’t help, but we were not worthy of winning and good luck to them in the next round.”

The draw for the quarter-finals, along with the next rounds of the other county cup competitions taking place this weekend, will be announced via the Suffolk FA website at 11am on Monday.

The Teams

Trimley Red Devils: Ben Punter, Matt West, Ross Driver, James Harbut, Jake Hollis, Sam Garwood, Ryan Chidlow (sub Charlie Driver, 82 mins), Tommy Smith (sub John Boorman, 68 mins), Alex Breadman, Ricardo Phillips, Sam Osborne (sub Alex Chidlow, 88 mins).

Haverhill Borough: James Young, Aron Carter, Ryan Dewey, Morgan Cogman-Wright, Victor Garcia (sub Benito Castislione, 79 mins), Tom Hardwick (sub Ryan Kent, 70 mins), Coby Game (sub Kieran Scanlon, 53 mins), Michael King, Finley Fletcher, Ryan Swallow, George Frodsham.

Referee: Alex Shipp.

CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup Third Round Results: Haughley Utd 1 Lakenheath 3 – Lakenheath won 3-1 on pens, Framlingham Town 2 Henley Athletic 0, Leiston St Margarets 0 Beccles Town 5, Bungay Town 1 AFC Sudbury Res 1 – AFC Sudbury Res won 4-3 on pens, Trimley Red Devils 2 Haverhill Borough 0, Ransomes Sports 2 Bildeston Rangers 3.