Club Notes 2 November 2015

Another excellent week-end for the Club with the Seniors welcoming and beating Senior League champs', Crane Sports, 4-1 at Salmet Close, while the Inter As were away at the Gainsborough Sports Centre beating their Ipswich Valley Rangers' counterparts 6-1.

The Seniors' game, watched by a fair crowd considering that Ipswich Town were at home just down the road, was a pulsating affair with our visitors taking an early lead through James Blades and Andy Coote finishing off a fine five or six man move which started with Jason Bones between the "sticks". No more goals before the break.The second period continued competitively and, with just 10 to 15 minutes left, appeared to be moving to "points shared" but some astute introductions from the bench saw Lee and David Grimwood posing different questions to Crane's defence. In addition, and perhaps the major feature of the whole match, was the heavy tackle on defender, Ricky Deasy, necessitating him moving up front apparently to coast through the remainder of the match. Not so, a long ball down the right saw him produce from somewhere both pace and strength to be scythed down in the Crane's area and Liam Hillyard to put the penalty kick away with aplomb. But wait, almost the same thing happened to Lee and Liam was there again to convert his second spot kick. Almost on time David (returned to Achilles after many seasons away) shook off several tackles to give us what was, perhaps, a slightly flattering 4-1 win and a lifting to second place in the SIL Senior League table.

This was another fine team performance and, although captain Chris Leys was awarded Achilles' "man of the match" accolade, there were a number of his colleagues who could have been awarded the title.

Meanwhile, the Inter As were welcomed by the troubled Ipswich Valley Rangers Inter As strengthened somewhat with no Senior game for their lads. Sadly for them, Achilles had something to prove after losing their 100% record to Westerfield Inter As the previous Saturday and a superb first half display saw Achilles five up at the break. The second period was much more even with just one score to each side but the fine 6-1 victory meant that top spot in the table was guaranteed. The goals were spread about - Dom Arnold (straight from a corner - welcome back Dom), "Scoop" McCarthy, Matt McCarthy, Micky Adams, Jack Middle, and Dean McEwan.

This week both teams are away with the Seniors (also) at Gainsborough against Ipswich Valley Rangers while the Inter As have an important 2nd round tie at Capel in the SFA Senior Reserves Cup.