LOWESTOFT Town manager Micky Chapman knows his side face a fight to claim the double tonight when they face Needham Market in the LB Group Suffolk Premier Cup final at Portman Road.

LOWESTOFT Town manager Micky Chapman knows his side face a fight to claim the double tonight when they face Needham Market in the LB Group Suffolk Premier Cup final at Portman Road.

Chapman, whose side have already won the Ridgeons League Premier Division, said: “Needham are a good club and a good side so we are expecting a cracking game. We've played them twice this season and beaten them twice but that means nothing.

“Danny Laws is a good manager and he has some good-quality players who once again produced a fantastic run in the Vase this season. They are the Premier Cup holders and we know they are not going to give up the cup easily.”

Needham boss Laws says that to retain the Premier Cup would nicely round off a season that started badly but has continually picked up pace.

Needham - who beat Leiston on penalties to lift the trophy last season - would certainly have been challenging for the league title once again had it not been for their poor start to the campaign.

Laws, whose side have now won seven of their last eight league games, says that progress has been made and that winning this trophy would erase the memories of going out of the Vase to Chalfont St Peter on penalties at the quarter-final stage.

“We have come a good way in the last 12 months as we look to advance this football club,” said Laws. “And winning the Premier Cup would be the icing on the cake.

“We beat Ipswich Town in the semi-final and everybody agreed that the best team won.

“Lowestoft beat Ipswich in the competition last season, and we appreciate what they have achieved as league winners.

“But I have everybody fit and the lads are raring to go, and if we can lift a trophy it would be a fair reflection on our season and be the icing on the cake.”

While his players will benefit from their Portman Road experience last season, Laws has former Ipswich Town midfielder Kevin Horlock on his books.

Horlock now plays at left-back and will relish the chance of playing at Suffolk's premier stadium again and be able to lead by example on the field.

A good-sized crowd is expected with Lowestoft's trip to Wembley Stadium in the Vase final last season having won them plenty of new followers with gates at Crown Meadow better than many clubs who play in higher levels of football.

Chapman - who jointly manages Lowestoft alongside Ady Gallagher - said: “Portman Road is a great ground and we are hoping to bring lots of fans. It should be a real party atmosphere.”