AFC Sudbury Under-15 Girls have reached the final of a national competition.

They will play in the JPL Trophy Final at Worcestershire Warriors’ Stadium on Saturday, April 27th.

It is the first time that the club have reached the final of this particular competition, although they do not yet know who they will play.

Head coach Carl Holder , whose assistant isw Steve Hyde, said that the achievement had not yet sunk in, but they can’t wait for the final to come round.

Holder said AFC Sudbury had been in a qualifying group that also included MK Dons and Watford.

They then won 3-0 at AFC Wimbledon in the last 16, 2-1 at Aldershot in the quarter-finals and 3-1 away to Peterborough-based Girls United in the semi-finals.

Holder said: “At present, the other half of the draw is lagging behind due to the wet weather, but our opponents in the finals will be one of Bridgwater United, Keynsham Town, Erith and Belvedere, or LFTC U15s, so Somerset, Bristol, Kent and North London are all represented.

“It’s a huge achievement to reach the final. It hasn’t sunk in yet, but we are so proud of what we are doing with the girls at the club, providing three age groups within the JPL at U14, U15, and U16 all the way through to the Academy and Senior football.

“We can’t wait for the final, what an experience for these young players!

“They are a joy to coach on and off the pitch, a truly great squad, which includes players from Ipswich, Felixstowe, Hadleigh, Cambridge, Colchester, Frinton and deep into Essex.

“We are currently pursuing avenues to get as many friends and family to travel to Worcester for the final to support us. The parents’ contribution and commitment to the JPL over the last two seasons has been immense - without these guys’ support it would be very hard.

“The main aim of the JPL squad is to develop these players through a decent next level of football into further education and to continue their pathway, through our Academy into Senior football.

“We believe we have all the right structures in place after a lot of hard work in a great environment and surroundings to play in.”

AFC Sudbury Girls’ U15s (yellow shirts) are pictured above in action at their home MEL Group Stadium ground. Photograph: Steve Screech