BURY Town boss Ben Chenery praised the character of his players for giving the club’s supporters ‘something to shout about’ after reaching the final of the Omni Freight Services Suffolk Premier Cup.

Chenery’s side defeated Needham Market 5-4 on penalties following a 0-0 draw in Wednesday’s semi-final at AFC Sudbury.

The Bostik League North side booked their place in the final, which will be held at Portman Road subject to Ipswich Town not being in the play-offs, for the first time since lifting the trophy 2014.

Chenery said: “I asked for a high intensity from the players tonight. We have had some indifferent results recently and as underdogs it was important we gave a good account of ourselves.

“Needham Market are a good footballing team, and we had to make sure we didn’t allow them to get any rhythm and made it into a real cup-tie.

 “John Kennedy set the tone and got around the pitch. We passed the ball well and had chances to win it, but they had chances as well.

“I stressed to the players beforehand the importance of the game and how you don’t get many chances to play in a cup final at Portman Road, and so not to pass up the opportunity.”

Chenery added: “I am pleased for (chairman) Russell Ward and (secretary) Chris Ward, everyone involved with the club and the fans as it is great for us to get to the final.

“I am really pleased with the character my players have shown this evening and the fact that we have given the supporters a day out at Portman Road and something to shout about.”

Needham Market manager Richard Wilkins said: “I am disappointed, of course. They had a couple of chances, but we missed some sitters.

“If you take away the couple of chances they had in the last minute, we should have been out of sight by then.

“They had a game plan and it worked for them. On Another day we could have won two or three-nil, so we have only ourselves to blame, but we wish Bury all the best in the final.”

The Bury Town players are pictured above during the penalty shoot-out. Photograph courtesy of Ben Pooley.