Needham Market forward Luke Ingram is determined to finish the season with silverware when his side take on Ryman Premier rivals, Lowestoft Town, in the Suffolk Premier Cup final tonight.

The 19-goal hitman has played an integral role in Needham’s ascent up the Premier Division table this season, but was left to ponder what might have been, after the Marketmen missed out on the play-offs by three points.

“These are the sorts of games you want to play in and will look back on when your career has finished,” said Ingram.

“Lowestoft are a good side but we want to finish the season on a high, it’s a big local game and slightly different, being a cup final – it would be great to win it.”

A ninth-placed finish still represented a positive season for the club, manager Mark Morsley having targeted 10th position at the start of the campaign.

“At the start of the season, had we had been offered ninth place and a cup final, we’d have taken it to be honest, but it was pretty disappointing not to get into the play-offs, having given ourselves such a good chance,” added Ingram, whose side won just nine points from the last 30 on offer.

“The last 10 games cost us, we had a small squad and that caught up with us.

“We were gutted to go so close, just like I imagine Leiston were, and it would have been great had we both reached the play-offs.”

While the cup is the main prize on offer tonight, Ingram will hope to hit a personal milestone and reach the 20-goal mark.

“Our coach Tom Rothery has been on at me to get there for a while and, in all fairness, I should have got there already,” revealed Ingram.

“It would be nice if I could get over the line in the final.”

Whatever happens, Ingram will be a Market player next season.

“There is nowhere else I really want to be,” he said.

“In Suffolk any other move for me would be to the same level.

“I haven’t given up playing higher but when you get to a certain age you think maybe your chance has gone.

“Keiran (Morphew) went on trial to Ipswich last season and didn’t quite get in, but he and a number of other players could probably play higher.

“You always hope that scouts will be at your games, but you can’t hang your hat on it forever.”