THE hunger to go one better will motivate Framlingham Town in their CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup Semi-Final.

The Castlemen face lower-league Claydon in the last four of this season’s competition at Millfield, home of Hadleigh United FC, on Friday, kick-off 7.45pm.

Two years ago Framlingham, who currently sit third in Division One North of the Thurlow Nunn League, reached the final four only to lose 4-1 to eventual winners Lakenheath.

The majority of the Framlingham squad that played in that tie will be involved on Friday.

Framlingham manager Liam Abraham said: “We have a good core of players who were 21/22 at the time and are now 23/24.

“I don’t know that the experience from that game will make much difference, more the hunger to go one better. The players know how they felt after that game.

“We actually did well that day against a really good team who have done very well since.

“I certainly don’t think we will be fazed by playing in a semi-final,” added Abraham, whose side have only lost one of their last eight matches since the start of March.

Abraham continued: “We have been playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday and have some tired legs and have had to rotate players.

“We have actually had better results midweek than on Saturdays, winning our last three Tuesday night games, but performances have then dipped on a Saturday.”

Framlingham, who face Great Yarmouth Town in their penultimate league game on Wednesday, are guaranteed a play-off place as they bid to win promotion to the Premier Division.

Abraham said: “We were top for a long time when the weather was nice and we were playing on good pitches and we were scoring lots of goals, but then had a dip around Christmas.

“But we are what we are and against teams with big budgets I feel we have over-achieved this season.”

Asked whether he would take winning the Senior Cup over winning promotion, Abraham said: “We do need to get out of this league. The cup would be the icing on the cake, but promotion via the play-offs is my No.1 priority.”

Framlingham have three players cup-tied – James Ross, Charlie Howlett and Will Aldis – while Danny Smith remains a long-term absentee following a double leg break a year ago.

Framlingham Town striker Max Willett, who has scored 28 goals this season, is pictured (above centre) celebrating his third goal in the 3-0 victory over Holland last month. Photograph: Dean Warner