Needham bidding for a third Charity Cup
FRAMLINGHAM Town face higher-league Needham Market in the Suffolk Champions Charity Cup on Tuesday evening.
The match, which is in aid of the British Heart Foundation, is taking place at Bloomfields, Needham’s home ground, kick-off 7.30pm.
Needham, the current Endeavour Automotive Suffolk Premier Cup holders, will be looking to make it three wins in a row in the one-off match against the CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup holders.
The Marketmen won the inaugural match in 2021, defeating Lakenheath 3-1 at Bury Town FC.
They then retained the cup last year, defeating Ipswich Wanderers 3-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Bloomfields.
Framlingham Town manager Liam Abraham is looking forward to the opportunity for his players to test themselves against opponents who play three steps higher up the Non-League pyramid.
Midfielder Johnny Kerridge has returned to the club from Wickham Market and centre back Alfie Norman has signed from Debenham LC.
The Castlemen are hoping to add a couple more players before their Thurlow Nunn League Division One North season kicks off on Saturday, July 29th, away to Wivenhoe Town.
Abraham said: “We have been training for about a month and have had three pre-season friendlies so far and are looking forward to facing Needham Market.
“The Senior Cup Final was more about winning silverware, but this is more about the occasion and celebrating the Senior Cup win and the opportunity to play against a Step 3 side.
“There will be less pressure on us because we are not expected to win as we will be the underdogs, but we will look to go out and play the way we want to play.
“We will try to get the ball down and play our style of football against some of the best footballers there are around in Suffolk.”
Abraham is also looking forward to the opportunity to go up against opposing manager Kevin Horlock, the former Northern Ireland international whose clubs included Manchester City, Ipswich Town and West Ham United.
“You want to pit yourself against the best around and his experience and the length of time in the professional game speaks volumes,” added Abraham.
Needham made it three wins from three pre-season fixtures with a 1-0 victory over Felixstowe & Walton United on Saturday, thanks to a James Letts goal – his first for the senior side.
All money from ticket sales will go directly to the British Heart Foundation, who will have a stand at the ground.
Framlingham Town players are pictured above celebrating after their 2-0 victory over AFC Sudbury Reserves in last season's CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup Final. Photograph: Paul Voller
