HADLEIGH United will aim to upset AFC Sudbury in the Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup for the third time in six seasons.

The Brettsiders head to the MEL Group Stadium for a quarter-final tie on Tuesday evening, kick-off 7.45pm, against opponents who play two leagues higher.

However, the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division side have history on their side, having twice knocked out AFC Sudbury in recent seasons.

Hadleigh won 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at the MEL Group Stadium in the second round in the 2019-20 season.

They won 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, again in the second round, at the Millfield the following season.

AFC Sudbury have a poor record in the competition in recent years. They have not reached the final since the 2002-04 campaign, and you have to go back to the 2014-15 season to find the last time they were in the semi-finals.

They lost to Whitton United in the last four 3-2 after extra time that season, with Lowestoft then winning the final 2-1 in Trawlerboys’ joint manager Mick Chapman’s final match in charge.

AFC Sudbury, who were then a Step 4 club, have since been promoted to Step 3 and are unbeaten at home in the league so far this season.

The Yellows defeated Alvechurch 1-0 on Saturday thanks to Joe Neal’s 36th minute goal, and currently occupy tenth position in the Southern League Premier Central table.

Manager Marc Abbot said he felt his side showed lots of ‘personality and character’ in Saturday’s match.

“I thought we showed some unbelievable moments of quality, and I thought the work ethic we showed was outstanding and that’s what’s required to win games at this level,” he told the club’s media team.

Hadleigh, who are 13th in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division table, lost 2-1 at league leaders Ely City on Saturday.

Former AFC Sudbury Academy graduate Ollie Dunlop was on target at the weekend and also netted the winner in last Tuesday’s come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Lakenheath in their second-round tie. Colby Hillyard (navy blue shirt, No.9) is pictured above scoring for Hadleigh United in their 3-2 win against Lakenheath. Photograph: Paul Voller

Meanwhile, the outstanding second-round tie between Leiston, who last week beat Bury Town 1-0 in the first round, and Lowestoft Town will take place on Tuesday, November 26th, kick-off 7.45pm.

AFC Sudbury are also in midweek county cup action on Thursday when they travel to Woodbridge Town in the first round of this season's Veo Suffolk U18 Midweek Cup.

Midweek Fixtures

Tuesday

Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup Quarter-Final: AFC Sudbury v Hadleigh Utd (7.45pm).

Thursday

Veo Suffolk U18 Midweek Cup First Round: Woodbridge Town v AFC Sudbury (7.45pm).