THE first of this season’s Suffolk FA County Cup Semi-Finals takes place on Thursday evening.

Stoneylands, home of Long Melford FC, will host the Veo Suffolk Boys’ Under-18 Midweek Cup Semi-Final between Cornard United and Needham Market.

Cornard are enjoying a good season in the Thurlow Nunn League South Division, currently sitting in fifth place, after winning seven of their 12 completed fixtures to date.

After receiving a bye in the first round of this season’s competition, Cornard defeated Beccles Town 4-1 and Kirkley & Pakefield AFC Royals 2-0 to reach the final four.

Needham Market sit top of the Thurlow Nunn League Central Division, with eight wins in their 12 matches so far.

The Marketmen also had a first-round bye but have since beaten Woodbridge Town 8-1 and Mildenhall Town 6-1.

Neither side have won this cup since it became a competition for midweek U18 sides, although Cornard defeated Needham Market 2-1 in the 2013-14 final when it was a combined midweek and Sunday cup.

The winners will play either AFC Sudbury, the holders, or Ipswich Town Under-16s in the final.

They are scheduled to meet in the second semi-final at Hadleigh United FC on Thursday, April 6th, kick-off 7.45pm.

Midweek Fixture

Thursday

Veo Suffolk Boys’ U18 Midweek Cup Semi-Final: Cornard Utd v Needham Market at Long Melford FC (7.45pm).