Woolverstone United boss Clive Catchpole hailed the collective spirit of his squad after they beat Kesgrave Kestrels 4-1 to reach the final of the Suffolk Junior Cup final for the first time in their 102-year history.

Goals from Justin Davies, James Harbut, Hayden Catchpole and Alex Gibson topped an excellent performance in front of more than 100 spectators at Hadleigh's Millfield ground.

A Gareth Oliver penalty for Kestrels was the only blip for Division One side Woolverstone as Division Two high flyers Kestrels tried to battle back in the second half.

Justin Davies nets number one (Picture: Nub News)

The manner of the victory delighted Catchpole who put the success down to hearty breakfast and amazing team spirit.

That collective squad mentality was epitomised by Jack Neil who missed out as Catchpole could only select five substitutes from his 17-man squad.

Woolverstone had all met up early in the day to have breakfast together, then got to Millfield early to prepare.

James Harbut made it 2-0 (Picture: Nub News)

Catchpole said: "It was a real team performance from Paul in goal, who didn't make a mistake and made an excellent save, to everyone else who played their part.

"We had good strong bench who all came on the do their bit.

"I had to drop one out the squad and that was Jack who took it superbly, He summed up the attitude of the whole squad by the way he took it, he could have got in a huff as many would have, but didn't, he warmed up hard along with the other players, and took it superbly, a real credit."

Woolverstone tore into the Kestrels from the off with Marcus Lawrence virtually unplayable with his direct running, clever feet and incisive passing.

Lawrence provided the ball in from the left wing for Justin Davies coming in from the right, who showed bravery with diving header between defenders to score the opener.

It was all part of the pre-match team talk and tactics and having belief.

"We were excellent first half and they could not cope with us," said Catchpole. .

"We knew that even though they are going great guns in the league and had only lost two games in the league, it is big step fup from Division Two. We are a level above and knew if we played as we can we should be too much for them. It is what we talked about it in the dressing room, going out and attacking them and if we played at the top of our game we would be too strong for them, and that was how it turned out."

Alex Gibson grabbed goal number four (Picture: Nub News)

Although Kesgrave made three half-time changes, Catchpole's side were ready for the reaction and stayed composed and organised, and remained a threat of their own.

Catchpole added: "We were a bit surprised at their starting line up and knew they had good players on the bench. The key for us winning that game is when they scored the penalty we came straight back and scored, what I thought was the best goal of the match.

"It was an absolute cracker and that just knocked the stuffing out of Kesgrave."

Woolves' lively forward line was supplemented by an attack-minded midfield with Alex Gibson tucked in just behind the front three, which allowed space for James harbour to get onto a good ball and finish with aplomb for the village side's second.

Hayden Catchpole, who led the line down the middle put Woolves three up before half-time after more good work from Lawrence and the prolific striker won his tussle with defender George Lilley before prodding the ball past a flat-footed keeper.

Good crowd to see Woolverstone at Millfield (Picture: Nub News)

Kesgrave made second half changes and won a penalty, which Bennington, who guessed the right way, got close to but could not stop Oliver's effort going in.

Bennington had already made a couple of fine saves including a super sop from powerful close range header. He was also helped by a solid back line, with Jordan Harward clearing off the line.

But this Woolves side reacted superbly and a well worked team build up resulted in Gibson arriving a the far post to smash the ball in for a fourth. Not quite the worldy he scored in the quarter final but right up there, with Catchpole considering it the goal of the game.

Amazingly this is the first time Woolverstone, who celebrated their centenary two years ago by winning promotion as champions to Division One, have reach the cup final, where they will meet nbeaten Division One leaders Thurston FC in the final, at a venue and date to decided, with much depending on how Ipswich Town do in the Championship.

Catchpole said: "For a little club like Woolverstone it is incredible. We know we will be up against it with Thurston who are a very good side.

"We know we are the underdogs, a little village club, but we will enjoy it and give it our absolute best."

The Woolverstone manager also praised Hadleigh United for their hospitality and how much they had enjoyed the facilities and welcome at the Thurlow Premier League club and how ell the pitch had held up despite the poor weather of late.