Heartbroken Holder hails Hadleigh despite being edged out of Suffolk Premier Cup quarter final by Felixstowe

By Derek Davis

9th Nov 2023 | Local Sport

Hadleigh skipper Jack Baker (Picture: Stefan Peck)
Hadleigh skipper Jack Baker (Picture: Stefan Peck)

Despite a huge effort Hadleigh fell just short lofting Felixstowe to penalties in their Suffolk Premier Cup quarter-final at the GL Arena last night.

Instead a 93rd minute winner from the Felixstowe half of the Warren brothers sent the Seasiders through.

Hadleigh boss Holder was pleased with his team's efforts but was heartbroken they could not hold out for the last couple of minutes.

He said: "It was great effort from our boys. 93rd minute is heartbreaking. We set out with a game plan and almost executed it perfectly. We were still level at half time which is important because know they score a lot of goals and they were getting frustrated..

"To take a team that are league higher and flying at the top until the 93rd minute is full credit to all my players.

"It was heartbreaking we could not take them to penalties, when we could have had a chance. Nick Punter has good record with penalties and Carlos showed how he can finish a penalty.

"We could have come here and embarrassed outsides but instead we gave a great account of ourselves and made everyone proud.

"Teams come here from the higher league and get picked apart but we had a game plan and almost got there."

Hadleigh defended well (Picture: Stefan Peck)

Holder has tipped the Seasiders' to go on and lift the cup.

He said:"Felixstowe are probably the best team in Suffolk at the moment, and I can see with them or Needham going on to win the competition.

"It was great test for out how and we showed how well we can compete, we just to be more consistent."

A sumptuous 93rd minute free kick not only gave Charlie Warren family bragging rights, but gave Felixstowe a place in the Suffolk Premier Cup semi-final.

Seasiders' attacking left winger Charlie's man of the match performance edged out his brother Tom Warren, playing on the left of Hadleigh's midfield after a tense and tight cup tie at the AGL Arena.

Josh Hitter had put the Seasiders in front on 17 minutes after an impressive attacking move, including Sam Ford, who was marking a new two-year deal signed just before the match.

Evergreen Carlos Edwards levelled for the Brettsiders from the penalty spot after Callum Robison inexplicably took out Hadleigh winger Harvey Barnes with a clumsy challenge.

Although Felixstowe dominated in terms of possession and chances, they never really tested Hadleigh keeper Nick Punter until Warren curled in a free kick in off the far post from 20 yards in the dying moments.

It was tough on the visitors who were looking forward to the lottery of penalties.

Tight and tense (Picture: Stefan Peck)

Seasiders boss Stuart Boardley, who has made no secret of winning this competition, was pleased with the result but not the performance. although he put some of that down to how well Steve Holder's Hadleigh played..

He said: "I'm delighted with the end results but I felt we were lack-lustre throughout.

"Hadleigh sat deep and defending really well second half.We created so many chances first half we should have been out of sight but credit to them they came out in the second half with a renewed endeavour and sat in and defended very well, and were well organised.

"They were difficult team to break down but we got there in the end."

Warren brothers battle (Picture: Stefan Peck)

Warren's winner was good enough to win any match as he picked his spot and executed expertly.

"We have been putting Charlie on free kicks for couple of weeks," revealed Boardley. "He has not always pushed himself forward enough but with someone of his quality he should stake situations by the scruff of the net. He took it because Tom Bullard made him and he showed his quality with a good finish."

Charlie was up against brother Tom, who also put in a good shift, along with a certain 45-year-old midfielder.

"I felt Tom played very well for Haleigh, so both Warrens, along with Carlos Edwards who defied his age, played very well."

With Ipswich Town's development squad, Needham Market and Leiston left in the competition, Boardley knows Seasider face a tough semi-final and is ready for anyone.

He added: "If we want to win it, which is our aim, then you have to beat the best of them. We look forward to whoever we get."

     

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