Final place would mean 'everything'
IT WOULD mean ‘everything’ to AFC Kesgrave to reach this season’s Parkers Pitches Suffolk Junior Cup Final.
The Gateway 14 SIL Division One side tackle Cockfield United in the first of this season’s semi-finals on Friday evening at Stowmarket Town FC, kick-off 7.45pm.
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AFC Kesgrave manager Frazer Lord said: “We are all excited for the occasion and looking forward to what will hopefully be a good entertaining game that goes our way.
“All the players have worked hard to get us this far and hopefully we can go one further and earn the opportunity to play in the final.
The two teams know each other well – AFC Kesgrave are currently third in Division One and Cockfield are sixth, 14 points behind albeit with three games in hand.
“Yes, we know each other well, but I’m sure there will be a few surprises come Friday’s game. We’ve struggled in the past against Cockfield but since beating them in the semi-final two seasons ago we’ve had the better of the results.
“Cockfield are a hard-working team that will make us play our best to earn the win from the game. Both teams have earned their place in the semi-final, but we’re hoping we can get the win,” said Lord.
After receiving a bye and a walkover in the opening two rounds, AFC Kesgrave had a 2-1 win at current McDonald’s Suffolk Primary Cup holders Redgrave Rangers followed by a 4-0 thumping of Capel Plough.
Lord said: “Redgrave were a tough team, and we really had to be on top of our game to get the result. If you look at their position in Division Two of the SIL they are a top team who I’m sure upon securing promotion will push towards the higher end of Division One.
“But the highlight was battering Capel Plough in the quarter-final. Capel are a team we’ve always had success against, but we lost for the first time at Christmas.
“From this there was a little bit of unknown stepping into the game, but once we started playing and scoring our goals, it was business as usual. A result like that is a real highlight.”
AFC Kesgrave won this competition in both 2017-18 and again in 2022-23 – and Lord said he would like to reach the final again for everyone at the club, including all the hard-working volunteers.
“Yes, we’ve won it twice and it would mean everything to the club to make the final at Portman Road. Not just the players and us in the management team but everyone that works behind the scenes and gives up their time for free.
“We have a lot of hard-working people who deserve another opportunity of winning this cup. It also shows the youth and players coming through that being at a club like AFC Kesgrave means you have a chance of success.
“We have a big squad this year with everyone desperate for a place in Friday’s squad; the hardest part of the season will be unfortunately letting some players down.”
AFC Kesgrave (red & blue striped shirts) are pictured in action above versus Grundisburgh (white shirts) back in August.
