Needham focus is on the challenge ahead
NEEDHAM Market manager Warren Lewis-Claxton said his side’s focus is on the challenge ahead in their Suffolk Women’s Cup Semi-Final.
The 2022-23 winners face holders AFC Sudbury in the first of this season’s semi-final at the Millfield, home of Hadleigh United FC, on Friday evening, kick-off 7.45pm.
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The tie is a repeat of last season’s last-four meeting which saw AFC Sudbury run out comfortable 4-0 winners at Bury Town FC.
Lewis-Claxton said the focus of his side, who play in the East Region Women’s Football League Premier Division, is very much on the challenge ahead, rather than being motivated by losing last season’s semi-final.
He said: “It's always a privilege to be able to reach the final four of the competition, it shows a continuation of the hard work put in and provides a great moment for us.
“Everyone will be proud and excited to once again compete in a semi-final of the cup.
“As a team, we'll always want to win any game that is put in front of us. The squad is somewhat different to what it was last year, so while some may look back on that fixture, our main focus is on the challenge ahead.”
Although AFC Sudbury now play a step higher on the pyramid in The FA Women’s National League Division One South East, the two sides know each other well.
Lewis-Claxton said: “Our paths will continue to cross, which shows the consistency of both teams reaching the latter stages of the competition. In games like these, familiarity doesn't always play a big role, anything can happen in football.”
With Needham second bottom of the table and their opponents sitting seventh in the league above, AFC Sudbury will start firm favourites to progress to the final at Portman Road in late May.
“Reaching the final would be a great achievement, but our focus has to be on the game at hand. I'm sure the team will give everything they have to get there,” said Lewis-Claxton, who expects to be missing a couple of players.
Needham Market (red shirts) are pictured above in action versus AFC Sudbury (yellow shirts) in last season’s semi-final at Bury Town FC.
