CLAYDON will need to show their battling qualities in the CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup Semi-Final.

The SIL Senior Division side face higher-league Framlingham Town in the last four at the Millfield, home of Hadleigh United FC, on Friday night, kick-off 7.45pm.

It will be the club’s first Suffolk Senior Cup Semi-Final and one of the biggest matches in the village club’s history.

Claydon Chair Tim Carr compared it to their appearance in the Suffolk Junior Cup Final versus Oulton Broad in the 2013-14 season.

Carr said: “In terms of cup matches it is on a par with the Junior Cup Final we reached in the same season we got promoted from Division One to the Senior Division of the SIL.

“We were going for a double that season, but lost in the final 2-1 at Woodbridge Town, although we got promoted to Senior football which was what we really wanted.”

The club’s Reserve team have already played in the semi-finals of this season’s Portable Space Suffolk Senior Reserve Cup, losing 5-3 on penalties to Beccles Town following a 1-1 draw.

Carr continued: “We are not a particularly good cup team, so it is ironic that this season both our first team and Reserve team have reached the semi-finals of their respective county cup competitions.”

And it is ironic too that it was also Beccles Town that Claydon met in the quarter-finals of the Senior Cup, winning 2-0 away from home.

Carr said: “We went to Beccles as underdogs and put in one of those battling, gritty cup performances and we will need to do the same again on Friday.

“We will be underdogs again on Friday against Framlingham, who not only play a level up from us but also have a good infrastructure around the club.

“I am sure our players will be up for it and am hoping that they can rise to the occasion and show the same resilience that got them through in the quarter-finals.”

Kenny Kennedy took a step back from being manager at the end of last season and is now the men’s teams’ representative on the club’s management committee, leaving Shane Austin and his assistant Danny Baldry in charge of the first team.

Carr said: “Kenny said this would be a transitional season, and I was inclined to agree, but if we can finish in mid-table and get to the Senior Cup Final we will have had a good season.”

Claydon should have a full squad to choose from except for defender Simon Crane, who is expected to be out for the remainder of the season with a recurring ankle injury.

Claydon (blue shirts) are pictured above in action in their 2-0 quarter-final victory over Beccles Town (white shirts) last month.