Suffolk Senior Cup semi-finals

The two remaining SIL sides in the Suffolk Senior Cup bowed out of the competition in yesterdays double header played at Leiston Town’s Flannery Stadium.

Haughley United started proceedings with a 12 noon kick off against Anglin Combination side Mutford & Wrentham in glorious sunshine. Mutford were quickest out of the blocks and stunned Haughley with an early goal. To their credit Haughley slowly started to get a foothold in the game and began causing problems for the Mutford defence culminating in a equaliser before the half time break. The second half saw Haughley keeper Fairweather do well to turn a Mutford strike onto the bar and over for a corner. Haughley then attacked down their left and a cross field ball found their No 11 who scored with a neat left foot finish. The game ebbed and flowed before Mutford scored a equaliser and with the match entering the final stages Mutford scored twice more as Haughley pushed for a winner. Haughley did get a consolation goal almost on the final whistle as the ball somehow found its way inro the Mutford net off a defender.

The second semi final kicked off at 4pm between Halesworth Town of the Thurlow Nunn Div 1 and Henley Athletic. The two sides having previously locked horns on numerous occasions when Halesworth were an SIL team.

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Suffolk Senior Cup Semi-Final: Henley Athletic FC 0-2 Halesworth Town FC

Henley’s fifth Senior Cup semi-final in our 10 seasons of Senior football, sadly, like the others ended in defeat, undone by two 1st half set-piece goals, losing 0-2 to our old SIL friends and rivals Halesworth, who’ve had a brilliant debut season in Thurlow Nunn football. We’ve always enjoyed some fantastic contests with this side, and more often than not, previously come out on top, but they were faultless on the day and deserve their trip to Portman Road, where they should be boosted by the fact, that all four of the previous sides that defeated us in the semis, went on to lift the trophy.

Halesworth piled on the pressure from the off and were rewarded with an opening goal after 13 minutes, Chenery with the freekick from close to halfway, the ball headed back across goal by Whiteman and well finished by Read for 0-1. Halesworth continued to pin Henley back, a terrific 25 yard volley hitting the post after 23 minutes. A minute later Chenery’s corner was headed home by Moore to make it 0-2.

However Henley heads didn’t drop and they started to fight back, gradually having more of the possession, Knights coming closest flashing a shot narrowly wide after 41 minutes, leaving it 0-2 at HT.

Henley were much improved after the break, having more and more of the ball and causing issues for Halesworth, especially from wide areas. Tejano came close with a looping effort after 59 minutes, but for the majority of the half, both defences produced excellent displays and cancelled each other out. Halesworth having the lion’s share of chances, but failing to find a way through. Henley came close again in the 89th minute, Dende seeing his fierce drive tipped round the near post, as Halesworth ran out deserved victors.

Halesworth were, strong, efficient and most importantly simply refused to make a single error, giving Henley no chance to take advantage and capitalise on any mistakes. It’s clear to see how the step up in level and playing week in against stronger opposition has made them a better side. All at Henley wish them good luck in the final.

As for Henley, all 16 players involved can be proud of their performance today, all at our club are proud to have these lads in a Henley shirt, they gave their all for the club for the entirety of the game. A special mention must go to the centre back pairing of Bell and Sylla-Keita, who produced some epic challenges and blocks, to continually frustrate the Halesworth frontmen.

A thanks also to all the supporters who made the journey to Leiston to give the lads their support, most of whom were still in the bar and hour and a half after the game, the lads and the committee really appreciate it.

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