Suffolk official Abi Marriott is to be an assistant referee at the UEFA Women’s Champions’ League Qualifying Round next month, writes Nick Garnham.

The 26-year-old from Mildenhall will travel out to Lithuania from August 6th-14 along with FIFA referee Sarah Garratt.

The Group 9 qualifying stage features host side Gintra Universitetas, FC NSA Sofia from Bulgaria, FC Honka Espoo of Finland and EBS/Skála from the Faroe Islands.

Marriott said: “I was absolutely delighted to receive the call up from the FA. I have been very fortunate to visit several countries around Europe with football in the last couple of years, and every place is a completely different experience and culture.

“I’ve never been to Lithuania before, so I can’t wait to get going.

“I will act as assistant referee on three games in 10 days within the Champions’ League qualifying group. As yet I don’t know which games – these will be appointed closer to the time.”

The prestigious appointment is the latest Abi has received in the last couple of years.

She was an assistant referee at the SSE Women’s FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium in May 2017 and also at the Women’s Under-19 European Championship last October.

In March she refereed the 2018 Women’s FA Varsity Match and the following month she was referee for one of the SSE Women’s FA Cup Semi-Finals.