Haughley United manager Jason Cook wants to avenge his side’s defeat to Ipswich Athletic in last season’s Bob Coleman Cup Final, when the two teams meet in the third round, at Green Road, this afternoon.

Haughley play host to Athletic, with both teams in mid-table in the SIL Senior Division, although Cook appreciates last season’s cup winners have had a major overhaul since lifting the trophy.

Manager Luke Hillyard left Athletic to manage Achilles in the summer, and several players from his treble-winning team of last season (Achilles won the SIL Division One title, the Bob Coleman Cup and Suffolk Junior Cup) departed to join him.

Even so, Cook, whose side have already won at Athletic, now managed by Lee Willcox, 3-0 in the league this season, hopes his side can right the wrongs of last term’s 4-2 defeat.

He said: “Ipswich Athletic are a different format this year, they have changed management and players, but we will be looking for revenge.

“It’s an opportunity to right the wrongs of the cup final when we just didn’t turn up.

“Ipswich were full of confidence and flying as a result of what they had achieved before, but had we performed like we had in the previous rounds, we would have had a good chance of winning the game.”

After a flying start which saw Haughley beat league big guns Achilles and Crane Sports, their season hit something of a tough patch as injuries and suspensions began to bite hard.

Now, with new signing Dominic Arnold joining the ranks and Ben George returning to the team, Haughley are on the up again and are currently on a four-game unbeaten run in the league.

“We had a decent start and beat a couple of the best teams in the division, but then we had a few suspensions and injuries,” added Cook, whose side have been benefited by 28-goal duo Ryan Wragg and Nathan Smith this season.

“We tailed off a bit and lost some silly games, but the last few matches we have picked up again.”

Cook hopes Haughley can take their league form into the cup, adding: “The Bob Coleman Cup is a big thing for the club. We have won it before and we would like to win it again.”

Third round matches (kick-off 1.30pm): Achilles v Barham Athletic; AFC Hoxne v Coddenham Athletic; Benhall St Mary v Cedars Park; Capel Plough v Old Newton United; Claydon v Leiston St Margarets; Coplestonians v Bramford United; Crane Sports v Mendlesham (ko 1pm); East Bergholt United v Ipswich Valley Rangers; Felixstowe Harpers United v Stanton; Framlingham Town v Wickham Market; Grundisburgh v Wenhaston United; Haughley United v Ipswich Athletic; Henley Athletic v Sproughton Sports; Somersham v AFC Kesgrave & Willis; Westerfield United v Stowupland Falcons. (Trimley Athletic v Stonham Aspal being played on January 9).