Club Notes 24 April 2016

That unacceptable four games for the Seniors in less than 10 days, previewed in our previous Club Notes, is now upon us with a hard fought 2-0 home win over a vastly improved Felixstowe Harpers yesterday (Saturday).
Overall, this was an attractive encounter with Achilles finding it difficult to break down a resolute defence despite our higher share of the proceedings. At last ace marksman, Liam Hillyard, opened our account just on half-time and, surviving a confident claim for a penalty by our visitors, Liam added a fine second converting a defence splitting pass by Joe Revell, some 10 minutes before the final whistle. At one point the news from Stanton was that near "top spot" rivals, Crane Sports, were at 2-2 with the homesters having missed a penalty but the final score of 4-2 to Cranes means that Tuesday evening's game at their place takes on an even more important interest with both Clubs "neck and neck" with Achilles just on top with a superior goal difference. That game is followed on Thursday (yes, Thursday) with an away game against Leiston SMs and the final League game at home against Ipswich VRs on Saturday. Crane Sports are lumbered with an almost identical final 10 day programme and so it looks like a "survival of the fitness" - not really the sort of tight programme finish both Clubs would have asked for!
Before the four game situation the Seniors were at the superb Ipswich School Sports Centre (formerly Willis) last Wednesday (20th) against early table toppers, Westerfield Utd, who were overwhelmed by Achilles' performance of the season (10-0) with Liam notching an early eight minute hattrick and then adding another before retiring for the tight 10 days ahead. Other marksmen were David Grimwood (3), Andy Coote (2) and Gav' Van Oene.
Meanwhile, the Inter As, having received the Inter A table championship accolade, have beaten Sporting 87 by 3-2, in a fine evening game against a strong East Bergholt Inter As coming good in the second period to win 3-0, but unfortunately, with two or three "stars" missing, losing 2-1 to Crane Sports Inter As, who to be fair to them, were apparently even more short of their stars than Achilles were!
Finally, away from the park, another reminder of the following social programme:
14th May - Presentation Evening (bring the family and some eats), free entry
20th May - Reunion Dinner - contact David Routh or Dave Morgan, £25
1st June - AGM 8pm
1st July - Annual Golf Day at Seckford (£35) - contact Alan Middle.