AFC Sudbury are within 90 minutes of their first final appearance in the Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup for 20 years.

They produced some early fireworks on Bonfire Night to go 3-0 up inside 20 minutes on their way to a 6-1 victory over Hadleigh United in Tuesday’s quarter-final tie at the MEL Group Stadium.

They added three more goals in the second period as Josh Allen completed a hat-trick, before Hadleigh netted a late consolation.

The Pitching In Southern League Premier Central side have their sights firmly set on reaching the final for the first time since the 2003-24 season.

AFC Sudbury manager Marc Abbott said: “I thought it was a professional performance. Obviously, we went strong as we wanted to continue the momentum we are on and we wanted to continue the home form we are on.

“It was good to get six goals, and it could have been more, but I thought we showed the competition the respect it deserves and we are pleased with getting through to a semi-final.

“We were really pleased to get off to a fast start. We said we wanted the game finished in the first half and we obviously did that, which was pleasing.

“The only critical bit is that we weren’t ruthless enough to make it an even greater scoreline, but you have to give the players credit as we had a tough fixture on Saturday and Alvechurch and they have come in tonight and been ultra professional and showed a good statement of intent.”

AFC Sudbury striker Josh Allen (centre, yellow shirt) is about to score from the rebound after Hadleigh United goalkeeper Chris Warren claws the ball away, but his effort was disallowed for offside. Main photograph: Allen shoots across the face of goal in the first-half. Photographs: Angela Mrozek

It took AFC Sudbury just six minutes to open the scoring against their visitors, who play two leagues below in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division, Allen lashing home after being set up by Jake Turner.

Allen then had a goal chalked off for offside after he volleyed home the rebound after keeper Chris Warren had clawed a shot away, but it was 2-0 in the 12th minute, Allen turning provider to set up Myles Cowling to round the keeper.

Allen made it three in the 19th minute after getting in behind the defence and the only surprise was that AFC Sudbury didn’t add to their tally before the break.

Ollie Peters made it four five minutes into the second period after being set up by Cowling who crossed from the left following a raking diagonal pass by right-back Charlie Lewis.

Joe Neal scored the fifth from the penalty spot in the 67th minute and Allen completed his hat-trick 12 minutes later, also from the spot.

Hadleigh reduced the deficit in the 84th minute, substitute Colby Hillyard turning smartly in the box and finding the bottom far corner against his former club.

Abbott said of Allen, who initially joined the club on loan from then Premier League Luton Town last February before returning on a permanent basis in the summer: “We are pleased for Josh.

“We have been hard on him in terms of his overall game. He has always been a finisher since he arrived at the club on loan from his previous club. I think the out-of-possession work we are hard on him, but he has shown great improvements to that recently and there were some really good finishes tonight.”

AFC Sudbury and Felixstowe & Walton United are now in the semi-final draw, where they will be joined by the winners of the quarter-final between holders Needham Market and Ipswich Wanderers and one of Leiston, Lowestoft Town or Ipswich Town.

Abbott added: “We know we will face some good threats in the next round, but our intention is to get to a final, so we want to do that, hence why we went strong tonight.”