Redgrave Rangers are on course for a double-double after reaching this season’s McDonald’s Suffolk Primary Cup Final.
The Macron Suffolk & Ipswich League Division Three side defeated Division Four Coddenham Athletic, who were the holders, 4-2 in their semi-final at Walsham-le-Willows last Friday night.
Redgrave currently occupy second place in the league and now have a chance to complete a double as they did last season.
They will have to wait and see who they face in the final at Colchester United on Tuesday, April 30 (7.30pm) as Cavendish take on Ipswich Vale Exiles tomorrow.
Kairon Hines put Redgrave ahead following a free kick in the 24th minute only for Coddenham to equalise just three minutes later and then turn the match on its head by taking the lead after 34 minutes.
However, Redgrave restored parity within four minutes, substitute Mitch Gooderham setting up Phil Myles, whose shot from the edge of the area went in off the underside of the crossbar.
Redgrave got their noses in front again after 69 minutes when a powerful 30-yard free kick deflected into the path of Hines who calmly placed the ball past the keeper.
The outcome was settled five minutes later when Artur Leszczynski’s whipped free kick beat the two-man wall and deceived the keeper.
Manager Jordan Balls, who is standing down at the end of the season, said afterwards: “After a very long season the hard work and the time the lads and the managers give every single week, this is what they deserve.
“We had a cup and league win last year and for the chance to replicate that this year would be amazing. To have over 200 spectators watching was such a great advert for local football and the voices from them made it feel like we were playing with 12 men sometimes.
“For a small village club to be able to attract some of the best local players because of big cup games and challenging for promotion must show that what Redgrave are doing on and off the pitch are the right things.
“This year is the first year as a club that we now have an under-18s side who plays on Sundays and to have those lads there watching and cheering on the first team is great to see with Joe White (an under-18 and first-team player) coming on at the age of 16 and putting in a performance to be proud of.
“The last time Redgrave got to a county cup final was over 10 years ago so to replicate it this year as well as challenging for promotion and also the Reserves challenging for promotion, means all the hard work which people are doing behind the scenes makes it feel so worthwhile.”
Redgrave Rangers made it a double semi-final winning weekend for the club in the Portable Space Suffolk Mixed Under-18 Cup. They defeated Coldham Hall 12-0 and will now meet Long Melford in the final who beat Cornard Dynamos Yellow 3-1.
