LUKE Read knows what it is like to score in a cup final at Portman Road and end on the winning side – and a repeat performance in Wednesday’s LB Group Suffolk FA Senior Cup final would cap off his season.

Read, who has scored 20 times from midfield for Thurlow Nunn League Division One side Ipswich Wanderers this season, netted the opening goal for Suffolk FA as they beat Cambridgeshire FA 2-1 in the FA County Youth Cup final in 2008.

The 22-year-old, who played for Suffolk FA and Suffolk Schools’ at both Under-16 and Under-18s level, made his senior debut for Ridgeons (now Thurlow Nunn) League Premier Division side Woodbridge Town while still only 16 and on the SETEC scheme at Copleston High School.

He had a short spell at Stanway Rovers after leaving Woodbridge before joining Hadleigh United at the start of the 2010/11 season, where his performances attracted the attentions of Ryman League Division One North side Needham Market.

He said: “I spoke to Needham Market at the end of the season, but we agreed there was not really room for me to go there unless I was happy to sit on the bench, but I said it would be better for me to stay where I was and have a whole season playing regularly.

“At Hadleigh the following season I was in and out of the team and also playing on the right wing, whereas I prefer to play in the centre, so when my dad (Glenn) took over at Ipswich Wanderers, where I already knew some of the players, I decided to go there and started to enjoy my football again.

“I saw out the last two months of the season and with more players coming in that I knew and get on well with, I decided to stay and try to have a good season at Wanderers.

“Not only have I enjoyed it, but we have been playing for something all season, trying to finish as high as we can in the league and having two good cup runs.”

Indeed, Wanderers finished fourth after winning their final home league game against March Town United on Saturday, and lost on penalties to Great Yarmouth Town in the semi-final of the Division One KO Cup, in addition to reaching Wednesday’s final against Whitton United.

Read said: “There should be a good crowd at the final and it means more to you if you beat people who you know. It is more of a challenge and players up their game if they know what you are about.

“We are both very similar sides who try to get the ball down and play. Both times we have come up against each other this season there has not been much between us.

“I would say they are probably favourites because of the fact that they have played in the final for the last two seasons, so they have a bit of experience in that respect and will be looking to win it three times in a row.”

Read, who scored the only goal of the game when Wanderers defeated Whitton on Easter Monday after a 1-1 draw when they met five weeks earlier, added: “It is definitely the most goals I have scored in a season and to score one at Portman Road and win the cup would top it off.”