Club notes 25/08/2014

For Achilles the only major departure from last season's squads was Liam Hillyard now looking to help brother Luke at near neighbours, Ipswich Athletic, although the retirement, after a fine career, of 'keeper Ross Charters should also be mentioned.
Through the "in door" we welcome, in particular, Dean Tourney-Godfrey, Dale Hammond, and Ben Deacon and with the Ipswich Star, in their review for the 2014/15 season, setting champions Achilles the magic goal of "1st" again for the SIL Senior League there is, clearly, much to play for. In addition, the Inter As finished runners up in both the League and the Gipping Press Cup, and, therefore, to say the least, there is a high reputation to live up to.

This season Shaun Deller moves up to accompany Lee Osborn in managing the Seniors while the returning Jamie King is joined by Liam Bell in managing the Inter As.

Against this background, and a most successful pre-season friendly schedule, there was naturally a quiet confidence in the welcome to Leiston St Margarets who had endured a difficult pre-season, although a link with "big brother, neighbour, Leiston Town, promised something better. As it was several of the Saints' squad were on duty for "big brother" and they arrived at Salmet Close in some trepidation.

They shouldn't have worried, for, with Achilles' strike pair, Andy Coote and Ben Taylor, unavailable, and our visitors fielding Gary Lambert between the "sticks" for a goal-keeping display which cannot, in my eyes, be bettered this season, and even facing a third minute debut goal by Dean, they equalised with just the same period left in the game to take away an unexpected but deserved share of the points.
That's football!