CRANE Sports are chasing trophies on three fronts but manager Robbie Beecroft, if pushed, would put the Touchline Sports Suffolk Senior Cup top of his list.

Elvin King

CRANE Sports are chasing trophies on three fronts but manager Robbie Beecroft, if pushed, would put the Touchline Sports Suffolk Senior Cup top of his list.

The Metaltec SIL Senior Division side take on Anglian Combination Corton in the semi-final at Melton St Audry's tomorrow (kick-off 2.15).

The winners will meet either Leiston St Margarets or Beccles in the final at Portman Road, and Beecroft said: “As long as we win something I will be happy.

“We have only lost one game in the last six months so the lads deserve some reward. And what would be great would be a day out at Portman Road.”

It is 25 years since Crane last reached the Senior Cup when they beat Ipswich United 2-1 and it is the first time for many years that no Ridgeons League side has been involved in the last four.

Crane are still hopeful they can catch leaders Grundisburgh in the Senior Division of the SIL, while they meet Ransomes Sports in the semi-finals of the SIL Omnico Cup next Saturday.

Having beaten joint Ridgeons League First Division leaders Hadleigh United and holders Grundisburgh to get this far in the Senior Cup, Beecroft says that his side is in good heart.

“We have had Corton watched and they are a good side having beaten Ransomes and Brantham already in the competition.

“The strength of our squad is in its quality and its size.

“We are a tight knit group with players able to smell that success might be just round the corner.

“I left a few out last Saturday and we just managed to beat a very good Coplestonians side. The attitude has been superb.”

Beecroft played briefly for Ipswich Wanderers, Cornard and Brantham but has been connected to Crane for many years as a player - and now manager for four years.

He was assisted by Christian Appleford for the first half of this campaign until Appleford moved to take over as manager of Woodbridge Town.

“Christian saw his future elsewhere and we wish him well and move on,” added Beecroft.

“Crane as still in good hands; I have been around a long while and know the club inside out.”

Beecroft has a full squad to select from, while Corton will be seeking their first Senior Cup final.

Neil Cole's Leiston St Margarets have also never reached this stage before, but their opponents Beccles Town beat Ipswich GER 3-2 in the 1922 final and lost to Lowestoft Town two years later.

Beccles Caxton and Beccles College both tasted success in the last 19th century with the former winning in 1892 against Leiston and the latter winning three years running from 1897 to 1899.