Back-to-back wins is an exciting prospect
WINNING back-to-back MH Goals Suffolk Women’s Cups is an exciting prospect for AFC Sudbury.
The Yellows meet Needham Market on Friday night in the semi-finals of this season’s competition at the Millfield, home of Hadleigh United FC, kick-off 7.45pm.
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AFC Sudbury defeated Needham 4-0 at the same stage of last season’s competition, before beating Stowupland Falcons 11-1 in the final at Portman Road.
Manager Luke Mallett said it has been a case of so far, so good in their defence of the cup this season.
“Yes, we’ve had another strong cup run so far, with lots of squad rotation and opportunities for a few of the Academy girls which they have taken and excelled from.”
But he said that being the holders this time around had not made any difference to their involvement in the competition.
“No, I wouldn’t say so, our goal in this competition has always been the same, which is to go on and win a trophy, but in doing so, rotate the squad and get everyone good minutes and give these young, up-and-coming talented Academy players a real chance to perform and shine for the first team.”
The two teams know each other well, although they now compete in different leagues – AFC Sudbury playing a level above in The FA Women’s National League Division One South East.
Mallett admitted: “Yes, it’s always great to have an insight into the opposition to make sure we set ourselves up correctly and have the best game plan.
“However it works both ways, so we will just be focused on our performance and make sure the game goes in a way in which we control the narrative and put our best foot forward to show our progression to the county.
AFC Sudbury have won the cup three times previously, following their 2013-14 success with victories in 2021-22 and again last season, and the possibility of back-to-back wins is one that excites Mallett.
He said: “It’s an extremely exciting achievement to have, to show consistency and progression in our strength and to really establish ourselves as the next biggest women’s team in Suffolk behind Ipswich.
“Also, the prospect to play at Portman Road again is a fantastic one which many of our players experienced last year but for the new faces and younger girls who haven’t, it’s a really special moment which they will remember and talk about for a very long time.”
Mallett said his squad are carrying a number of injuries as well as having players cup-tied.
AFC Sudbury (yellow shirts) are pictured above in action versus Needham Market (red shirts) in last season’s semi-final at Bury Town FC.
