A SECOND MH Goals Suffolk Women’s Cup success in three seasons can cement AFC Sudbury’s status within the county.

Manager Luke Mallett has set his side the target of being the second biggest women’s team in the area after Ipswich Town.

Victory over Needham Market in Sunday’s semi-final at Bury Town FC, kick-off 2pm, will leave AFC Sudbury one win away from lifting the cup for a third time in their history.

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Mallett said: “It’s a competition that’s give us a chance to show how far we as a club and team have come over the years within the local area.

“After Ipswich Town, we have set the goal to be the next biggest women’s team in the area and with climbing through the leagues, I believe we have secured that title but being in the semi-final and potentially to go further really cements that.”

Mallett is not concerned about meeting Needham Market, who AFC Sudbury defeated in the final two years ago before losing 5-3 to the same opponents in last season’s second round.

He said: “I believe it’s the same for both teams in terms of what to expect and styles of play.

“However, if you look at our squad and the players we have right now, we have evolved, adapted and developed so much over the course of one year, and being promoted to the National League has only enhanced that and the girls’ standards.

“I’ll be saying to treat this like any other game, forget emotions and rivalry. As long as we turn up and play how we have been this last two months we should be okay.

“The girls have bought into the changes since the New Year, and everyone is now singing from the same hymn sheet.”

While retaining their FA Women’s National League status is the club’s priority, Mallett is keen to end the season with some silverware.

He added: “There’s no doubt that our focus is the league and staying in the National League, which after the 2-1 win against Cambridge City on Tuesday, has given us a massive step in the right direction.

“However, this is a chance to get silverware once again for the club and the players. It doesn’t matter who we face, this is just the penultimate step to winning another cup and in this competition that’s the end goal.”

AFC Sudbury expect to have a full squad available apart from long-term absentees Evie Creaton, Kate Edwards and Phoebe Guiver.

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Photograph: Steve Screech