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 Hadleigh United FC tonight, 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 tonight.

Framlingham manager Liam Abraham said: “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.”

Standing in their way will be SIL Senior Division side Claydon, who won 2-0 at Beccles Town in the quarter-finals.

Claydon chair Tim 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.

“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.”

East Anglian Daily Times: AFC Sudbury Reserves’ Jamie (yellow shirt) riding a tackle in their recent Thurlow Nunn League Division One North match against Whittlesey AthleticAFC Sudbury Reserves’ Jamie (yellow shirt) riding a tackle in their recent Thurlow Nunn League Division One North match against Whittlesey Athletic (Image: Steve Screech)

AFC Sudbury Reserves manager Dave Cannon has inside knowledge of their semi-final opponents – he taught five of them at school!

He will come up against his former pupils when his side take on Halesworth Town in their semi-final at Bury Town FC, kick-off 7.45pm.

Cannon said: “A sub-plot to the semi-final is that I taught five of their boys from the age of 12 or 13 while I was at Leiston High School, so I know them well.”

It will be Halesworth’s first appearance in the last four of the competition – a fact not lost on manager Carl Chenery.

He said: “It’s another step in the right direction for the football club. It’s the first time we have been this far in the competition. I remember playing for Halesworth when I was 18 in the quarter-finals and we lost.

“The Senior Cup is a big cup in Non-League football. We won the Junior Cup two-and-a-half years ago, so to win the Senior Cup would be huge for the club.”