THE Crown Imperial Suffolk Youth Cups Semi-Finals Day saw two thrilling ties in the Girls’ Under-16 Cup.

Kirkley & Pakefield Diamonds won a penalty shoot-out 4-2 following a 3-3 draw versus Belstead United to edge through to the final.

There then followed an equally enthralling encounter which resulted in Thurston beating East Bergholt 5-4.

That sets up a repeat of last season’s Under-15 final which Thurston won 3-1.

The ties were among 19 semi-finals to be staged at Kesgrave High School just outside Ipswich and hosted by Kesgrave Kestrels FC.

Holders Woodbridge Town had to come from behind to defeat Mildenhall Town 3-1 in the Boys’ Under-18 competition. They will play Ipswich Wanderers in the final.

However, it was AFC Sudbury who dominated the boys’ semi-finals, reaching the under-13, under-14 and under-15 finals.

Needham Market stopped a clean sweep for the four AFC Sudbury sides, winning 3-0 in their under-16 semi-final.

They will now take on Walsham-le-Willows, who defeated Stowupland Falcons by the same margin, in the final.

This season’s Crown Imperial Youth Cup Finals Day will be staged on Sunday, May 13th at a venue to be confirmed.

Carl Chittock, Chairman of host club Kesgrave Kestrels, said: “The day has run really smoothly and has exceeded expectations, with some good football being played.

“We have enjoyed partnering with Suffolk FA, and the feedback we have received is that everyone has enjoyed it.

“We could not have done it without the tremendous support we have received from all our volunteers who have given up their time.

“Our thanks also go to Kesgrave High School for allowing us to use their facilities for the day.”

Suffolk FA County Cups Competitions Manager Adrian Moye said: “Suffolk FA were in safe hands presenting Kesgrave Kestrels FC with the opportunity to host our Festival of Football otherwise known as Youth Cup Semi-Finals Day.

“The management team of Carl Chittock, Mark Lay and Trevor Barnes organised the event with military precision. From car parking, changing room management, ball boys, catering and traffic flow the event was a tremendous success and with so many helpers from Kesgrave Kestrels FC they can be rightly proud of their efforts today.

“My intention is to move the semi-finals and finals to different host clubs throughout the county, but there are only a few venues and clubs that can manage such events.

“Kesgrave Kestrels management on Sunday makes them an easy venue to return to in the future and firmly puts them in a position to host any event that Suffolk County FA may want them to host.”

Action is pictured above from the Girls’ Under-12 Cup semi-final between Ipswich Valley Rangers (blue & white hooped shirts) and Waveney Cougars (gold shirts) which Waveney won 1-0.

Crown Imperial Suffolk FA Youth Cup Semi-Finals Results

Under-12 Boys’ Cup: Stowupland Falcons 0 Kirkley & Pakefield Cobras 3, Woodbridge Town 1 Exning Utd 3.

Under-13 Boys’ Cup: AFC Sudbury 3 Needham Market 1, Bury Town 3 Stowmarket Town 0.

Under-14 Boys’ Cup: AFC Sudbury 3 Woodbridge Town 1, Walsham-le-Willows 2 Wickhambrook 1.

Under-15 Boys’ Cup: AFC Sudbury 4 Bury Town 1, Whitton Utd 3 Kirkley & Pakefield Wildcats 1.

Under-16 Boys’ Cup: AFC Sudbury 0 Needham Market 3, Stowupland Falcons 0 Walsham-le-Willows 3.

Under-18 Boys’ Cup: Woodbridge Town 3 Mildenhall Town 1.

Under-12 Girls’ Cup: Coplestonian Ladies 1 Capel Plough 0, Ipswich Valley Rangers 0 Waveney Cougars 1.

Under-13 Girls’ Cup: Bungay Town Black Dogs 1 Beccles Town 9, Felixstowe & Walton Utd 0 Ipswich Valley Rangers 1.

Under-15 Girls’ Cup: Stowupland Falcons 5 Waveney Lionesses 2, Bury Town Rams 1 AFC Kesgrave 6.

Under-16 Girls’ Cup: Kirkley & Pakefield Diamonds 3 Belstead Utd 3 – Kirkley & Pakefield Diamonds won 4-2 on pens, Thurston 5 East Bergholt 4.