CHRIS Cowan said he was in ‘total disbelief’ after reaching the CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup Final.

 Cowan scored twice – both direct from corners – as Bildeston beat holders Ipswich Wanderers 2-0 at Claydon FC on Saturday to reach the final for the first time.

The 35-year-old joined Bildeston Rangers at the start of this season, following a season out after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury while playing for Bramford United.

He admitted: “I didn’t expect to play again at a decent level after suffering the injury because I am coming towards the end of my career.

“And I certainly didn’t expect to get the chance to play in the Suffolk Senior Cup Final.”

Cowan scored for Hadleigh United in their 2-0 semi-final win against Brantham Athletic in the 2007-08 season while on loan from Wivenhoe Town.

However, he was recalled by his parent club and so missed Hadleigh’s 3-2 loss to Grundisburgh in the final at Portman Road.

Bildeston's Chris Cowan (black & red quartered shirt) holds off Tom Driscoll of Ipswich Wanderers during their CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup Semi-Final at Claydon FC on Saturday. Main Photograph: Cowan controls the ball under pressure from Wanderers' left back Lewis Kincaid. Photographs: Paul Voller

Along with his team-mates at the Macron SIL Senior Division side he is now looking forward to the biggest day in the club’s history when they face Lakenheath in the final at The New Croft in Haverhill next Monday.

Lakenheath, who have just been promoted to the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division, defeated Framlingham Town 4-1 in their semi-final on Saturday.

Cowan, who marries fiancée Gemma in a couple of months’ time, also had a spell with AFC Sudbury as well as playing for Hadleigh and Wivenhoe.

His first goal in the 43rd minute came with his right foot from the left flank and his second six minutes later left from the right flank with his left foot.

Cowan, who said he is now in double figures for the number of times he has scored direct from a corner, added: “I am equally as strong with either foot, although I probably prefer using my left.

 “I have always been able to whip the ball on top of the keeper and sometimes you get lucky and it goes in or if someone gets any kind of flick on it there is a good chance of it going in.”