Haughley United winning the Suffolk FA Senior Cup final would be a feat talked about for years, according to manager Jason Cook.

The SIL Senior Division side take on Anglian Combination Division One title-winners, Waveney, at Portman Road tonight – Haughley having had one previous appearance in the final, losing 2-0 to Grundisburgh in 1988.

“Ever since we played Cornard on April 9 and managed to get through to the final, we have been looking forward to this game,” said Cook, whose side will be looking to succeed Lakenheath as champions.

“The whole occasion is special but playing at Portman Road gives the competition an extra sparkle.

“There will be loads of people turning out from the village and to win the cup would be massive.

“Bearing in mind there are teams in the competition who pay their players and play at a higher level, to play, and lift the title, at Portman Road, for a little village club, is something that would be talked about for years.

“The club has been in one Senior Cup final in 28 years and they lost that, so it will be massive and hopefully we can win then defend the cup again, at Portman Road, next year.”

Haughley finished the SIL season in sixth position but were defeated in the Bob Coleman Cup, at Woodbridge Town, by Achilles, on Friday night.

Cook admitted the better side won on that occasion, but believes the final outcome may have been different had the Senior Cup final been played first.

“We weren’t great on Friday, but that’s no disrespect to Achilles, who fully deserved the win,” explained Cook.

“They played demanding football from the start, but as we had already beaten and drawn with Achilles this season in the league, had the Senior Cup been played first, things could have been different.

“When you weigh it up, a lot of our players may never get the chance to play at Portman Road again, so I fully respect their situation and I think a few may have had one eye on the Senior Cup final.”

Tonight’s opponents will be in the top division of the Anglian Combination next season, the equivalent of the SIL Senior Division.

“They like to get the ball down and play and the deserve what they have achieved this season. It should be a good final,” Cook said.