REACHING the Suffolk Senior Cup final at Portman Road would “mean everything” to Felixstowe United, according to joint manager Ian Watson.

The Kingsley Healthcare SIL Senior Division side face Long Melford, who play in Ridgeons League Division One, at Hadleigh United’s Millfield ground tomorrow, start 2.15pm.

Long Melford manager Jason Maher has expressed his dismay at the tie being played at a neutral venue which will benefit from food and drink takings and a percentage of the gate receipts.

Watson, who is joint manager with Terry Rumens, said: “I don’t agree with the fact that one team should have home advantage in a semi-final in one of the biggest cup competitions in Suffolk football.

“When Suffolk FA asked for the clubs’ views at the start of the season we were totally in favour of neutral venues.

“To be our honest, our home form this season has not been the greatest, so for us an away game or playing at a neutral venue is probably of benefit to us anyway.”

Watson has already tasted success this season at the Millfield in a cup competition as joint manager of the SIL side that defeated the Reading League in the FA Inter League Cup 3-0 last October.

He said: “I always like going to Hadleigh. The people at the club are excellent, the facilities are very good and it is a great surface to play on.”

Watson is under no illusions as to the task facing his side and said: “We are the minnows of the four sides remaining in the competition.

“We were not expected to get as far as we have done so I am delighted we have got this far. It would be fantastic if we can get the right result on the day.

“Long Melford are in the league above us and playing at a higher standard, but we have done our homework on them.

“Reaching the final would mean everything to our club. We have a lovely group of people involved behind the scenes and a great bunch of lads.

“I have been there myself as a player and would love to go to Portman Road as a manager, but I am not taking anything for granted.

“We put in a good performance on Saturday to earn a point against Woodbridge Athletic, and hopefully we can carry that into this Saturday.

“We have no injury problems so we have everyone to choose from which means some players will not be in the final squad but they will still be involved on the day.”

The other semi-final sees Ridgeons Leaue Whitton United face SIL Senior Division side Grundisburgh at Debenham LC.