LAKENHEATH manager Ben Cowling said it is a ‘privilege’ to reach the CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup Final.

After receiving news of the club’s promotion to Step 5 next season, Lakenheath topped of a memorable week with a 4-1 win over Framlingham Town in Saturday’s semi-final at AFC Sudbury.

Cowling said: “There’s so much positivity around the club at the minute, we’ve been waiting six weeks or so for the news about the promotion.

“To get the confirmation in the week means we can now plan for next year with certainty and now to top it off with the Senior Cup Final. Wow. It’s a privilege to make it into the final.”

Lakenheath will face Bildeston Rangers, who defeated Ipswich Wanderers 2-0 in the other last-four tie, in the final on Bank Holiday Monday, May 31st at The New Croft in Haverhill.

Framlingham Town's Cyrus Thorpe (green & white hooped shirt) brings the ball under control against Lakenheath (sky blue shirts) in their CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup Semi-Final at AFC Sudbury on Saturday. Main Photograph: Lakenheath's Shaun Avis celebrates his second goal. Photographs: Neil Dady

Lakenheath put on a more than convincing display against a strong Framlingham Town side, getting two of their four goals before half-time.

The first goal came in the 39th minute with Lakenheath winning a free-kick just outside the 18-yard box. Shaun Avis stepped up to take the free kick and with a deflection off Framlingham Town’s Edyn Cummings, the ball found its way into the goal.

Framlingham kept fighting, putting pressure on the Lakenheath defence. Their efforts were rewarded when Lakenheath defender Casey Underwood conceded a penalty for a handball inside the box.

Danny Smith stepped up to take the penalty, confidently putting the ball past Lakenheath keeper Charlie Beckwith.

As half-time approached Lakenheath stepped it up a gear. With a final run down the left flank Tom Thulborn whipped in a cross to find Avis at the far post and he looped the ball over Cummings to make it 2-1.

Framlingham came out strongly in the second half with Beckwith blocking a shot from Danny Smith, Joe Berry followed up on the rebound with Underwood denying Framlingham Town an equaliser.

Lakenheath were quick in their response with Thulborn beating a Framlingham defender in a one-on-one to then drill the ball in the bottom left-hand corner. Framlingham didn’t give up with Danny Smith hitting the crossbar.

As the game drew to a close Thulborn got his second in stoppage time, closing the game off nicely for Lakenheath.

The Teams

Framlingham Town: Edyn Cummings, Kit McCausland (sub Callum Knights, 62 mins), Jake Seaber, Brett Crisp, Cyrus Thorpe, James Mayhew, Dan Smith (sub Josh Spraggue, 51 mins), Josh Tysoe (sub Oli Mayhew, 72 mins), Danny Smith, Joe Berry, Alex Ling. Unused subs: Anthony Fryatt, George Able.

Lakenheath: Charlie Beckwith, Finley Logan, Alex McIntosh (sub James McCabe, 73 mins), Sam Hawley, Scott Callaghan, Casey Underwood, Ryan Weaver (sub Kelvin Enaro, 64 mins), Reece Clarke, Shaun Avis, Tom Thulborn, Kaine Manels.

Referee: Stephen Macken.