CAN Cavendish go one step further in this season’s Parkers Pitches Suffolk Junior Cup?

The Dishmen were losing semi-finalists last season, going down 3-1 to eventual runners-up Mutford & Wrentham.

Cavendish have a chance to put that right when they face Thurston in this season’s quarter-finals, and so move within 90 minutes of only a second final appearance in the competition.

The Essex & Suffolk Border League Division One side travel to take on a Thurston team who are enjoying a splendid season in Division Two of the Macron SIL, sitting top with 13 wins and one draw from 14 matches played.

Indeed, Thurston were undefeated in all competitions this season until losing 1-0 at Coplestonians in the Morrison Freight Cup Quarter-Finals a fortnight ago.

Thurston (blue shirts) are pictured above in action at Bacton United 89 (red & green quartered shirts) during their 4-1 victory in the last round.

Mutford & Wrentham, meanwhile, will be aiming to make it third time lucky when they make the trip to Stowupland Falcons, who have beaten them in each of the last two finals in this competition.

Both finals were settled by the odd goal in favour of Stowupland, so another close match is in prospect.

Cockfield United were runners-up in this competition to Old Newton United in the 2007-08 season, five years after winning the final 2-1 against Framlingham Town.

Their hosts on Saturday are Lakenheath Casuals, who have yet to appear in a Suffolk Junior Cup Final.

Lakenheath Casuals are the current leaders of the Central & South Norfolk League and defeated Kesgrave Kestrels, last season’s McDonald’s Suffolk Primary Cup runners-up, 2-1 in the last round.

The quarter-final line-up is completed by Stanton and AFC Kesgrave, who meet in West Suffolk.

Stanton have been in impressive goalscoring form in this season’s competition, beating Bardwell Sports 13-0, Elmswell 6-1 and then putting five past Ipswich Athletic without reply in the last round.

They are seventh in SIL Division One – two points and two places higher than their visitors on Saturday.

However, AFC Kesgrave knocked-out SIL Division One leaders Tattingstone United 3-0 in the third round, after winning 2-1 at Beccles Caxton in round two.

Weekend Fixtures

Saturday

Kick-offs 2pm:

Parkers Pitches Suffolk Junior Cup Quarter-Finals: Lakenheath Casuals v Cockfield Utd, Stanton v AFC Kesgrave, Stowupland Falcons v Mutford & Wrentham, Thurston v Cavendish.