Selection headache ahead of cup final
STOWMARKET Town manager Chris Casement faces a selection headache ahead of the Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup Final.
The Old Gold & Blacks will be playing in their first Premier Cup Final for 26 years when they line-up against holders Needham Market at Bury Town FC on Friday night, kick-off 7.45pm.
And you have to go back to the 1990-91 season for when Stowmarket last lifted the trophy courtesy of a 3-2 victory over Haverhill Rovers in the final.
This season’s final appearance comes 12 months on from when the club withdrew from the competition after realising they had fielded two ineligible players in their 3-0 semi-final victory over Leiston.
Several key players are expected to leave Greens Meadow in the summer after the departure of benefactor Tom Morley earlier this season means Stowmarket will have a reduced budget next term.
Casement, whose side just missed out on this season’s Isthmian North play-offs, said: “It is a massive game for the club.
“Playing in any cup final is a massive occasion for everyone involved – the players, fans, volunteers and directors – and it is no different for us on Friday night.
“We are very much looking forward to it and one we will be ready for having missed out on the final last year due to unfortunate circumstances beyond our control.
“It has been well documented that there will be some changes in personnel in the summer, but most of our players are contracted until the middle of May and they have been extremely professional and Friday night will be no different.
“We will have to wait and see thereafter as to who stays and who goes and what happens at the club.
“We just need to focus on Friday night and come away with a positive result and good memories and then see what happens next season.”
Casement is expected to have a full squad to choose from and admitted: “I am going to have a headache trying to pick the team as we have everyone fit and raring to go.
“During the last couple of months that has not always been the case and we have been drafting in Reserve and Under-18 players, so it will be nice to have a full squad to choose from.”
Stowmarket Town players are pictured above celebrating after striker Jack Ainsley (right) scored their third goal inn the 3-0 semi-final win versus Bury Town at Needham Market FC. Photograph: Paul Voller
