STOWMARKET Town chairman Andy Horrex feels that his club's name might already be on the Touchline Sports Suffolk Senior Cup.The Ridgeons League First Division side takes on Metaltec SIL Senior Division leaders Grundisburgh at Portman Road in the final tonight (kick-off 7pm).

By Elvin King

STOWMARKET Town chairman Andy Horrex feels that his club's name might already be on the Touchline Sports Suffolk Senior Cup.

The Ridgeons League First Division side takes on Metaltec SIL Senior Division leaders Grundisburgh at Portman Road in the final tonight (kick-off 7pm).

“When we scored direct from a corner in the last minute of extra-time in our first round 3-3 draw with Leiston St Margarets I thought it was going to be our year,” said Horrex.

“Our keeper Ross Charters then saved three penalties in the shoot-out. Against Hadleigh we also went to extra time, and then beat Crane Sports by one goal.

“In the semi-final, Cornard struck the bar and we then scored with a deflected shot before going on to beat them 5-1.

“The ball has run for us, and it has given the club a tremendous lift to get to the final. A win would be the icing on the cake.”

Long serving official and club president John Bultitude agrees. He said: “It has been a struggle for us for many seasons. This should lift the club - and the town.

“Winning the Senior Cup in 1951/52 against Bury Town put our club on the map. It was a great time and I am still in touch with some of the players.”

Dave Hubbick, the Stowmarket manager, is without Ollie Langham and Jamie Sandilands as they are both cup-tied with Matty Platt - with over 600 games under his belt - captaining the side.

Grundisburgh, jointly managed by Micky Squirrell and Kevin Cunningham, are on course for a notable second treble.

They are also top of the Senior Division of the SIL, and in the semi-finals of the SIL Omnico Cup. In 1997/98 Grundisburgh won the treble - the only club to have achieved this.

Cunningham said: “We will take one at a time.

“At the start of the season we would have taken one trophy, and this has not changed. The league is our main priority, and if we win this anything else will be a bonus.”

A club from the SIL has not won the Senior Cup since Grundisburgh beat Needham Market in 2000.

Squads

Grundisburgh: Johnson, R Parker, Watson, King, Greenhalgh, Sandilands, Southgate, T Parker, Reid, Webb, Driver, Beaumont, L Grimwood, D Grimwood, Brightey and Messenger.

Stowmarket Town: Charters, Hammond, Brill, Carr, Cracknell, Deasy, Deller, Ford, Gray, Horner, King, Leys, Platt, Roberts, Smythe, Taylor-Holt, Ward and Wright.