Club Notes 16 November 2014

Another successful week-end for Achilles with the Seniors just shading it 2-1 in the SIL Senior game up at Stanton while, coincidentally, the Inter As were entertaining Stanton's Inter As in the Gipping Press Cup at Salmet Close.  In the circumstances it would be reasonable to set down first a word or two about the Cup game which a vastly experienced Achilles' squad progressed to the next round (now drawn for the 10th January here at Salmet Close against Grundisburgh's Inter A) via a resounding 9-1 score-line. However, the major aspect to applaud is Stanton's resolve to overcome their recent player recruitment difficulties and not to go the same way as unfortunately Melton, St John's and others have gone. It's easy to forget that, amongst other difficulties, for every away game a Club such as Stanton on the very borders of Suffolk has the daunting task of travel up to 60 or so miles round trip. Saturday saw their predominantly young side actually take the lead in the first minute but thereafter once our Inter As had equalised goals came at regular intervals for us leading to a 7-1 score-line at the break. Plucky defending and some "thrilling" misses on Achilles' part saw a much more even second period. Marksmen were Ricky Deasy (3), Carl McCarthy(3), Danny Bond (2), and Matty Starling (pen).

Meanwhile, at Stanton, the Seniors had by far the best of the first half but missed several chances. Two quick goals after the break from Andy Coote and an og appeared to put Achilles into a winning position but, almost immediately, Stanton notched the goal of the match and, thereafter, although further chances came our way, there was some desperate defending with our hosts having a goal disallowed. However, the 2-1 advantage was held leading to a climb to 3rd in the Senior League table. Chris Leys was Achilles' man of the match. Next Saturday we welcome similar high-flyers, East Bergholt, to Salmet Close while the Inter As have no game.