HOLDERS AFC Sudbury have been drawn away to Whitton United in the first round of this season’s Veo Suffolk Boys’ Under-18 Midweek Cup.

AFC Sudbury made it six successive wins in the competition when they defeated Ipswich Town 3-2 in last season’s final at Colchester United FC.

They will start their defence of the trophy away to Ipswich-based Whitton United in one of eight first-round ties scheduled for Thursday, September 22nd.

There’s also a local derby between Hadleigh United and Long Melford and an all-Lowestoft tie between Waveney and AFC Royals.

Ipswich Town, who were last season’s losing finalists, are one of eight sides out of the 24 entrants to receive a bye.

Veo are the new sponsors of the competition for the 2022-23 season. Veo are the portable solution to recording and analysing matches without the need for a camera operator.

They have sponsored the Suffolk Sunday Shield for the last two season as well as the Suffolk Sixes female summer tournament.

Veo Suffolk Boys’ Under-18 Midweek Cup First Round Draw: Hadleigh Utd v Long Melford, Beccles Town v Stowmarket Town, Woodbridge Town v Kirkley & Pakefield, Bury Town v Brantham Athletic, Sporting 87 v Mildenhall Town, Waveney v AFC Royals, Leiston v Felixstowe & Walton Utd, Whitton Utd v AFC Sudbury.

Byes: Bungay Town, Cornard Utd, Framlingham Town, Haverhill Rovers, Ipswich Town Under-16s, Ipswich Wanderers, Needham Market, Walsham-le-Willows.

Ties to be played on Thursday, September 22nd 2022, kick-offs 7.45pm.