2011-2012 season
Woodbridge A 27/8/11
Woodbridge opened their campaign with a hard fought 1-0 win against a strong Achilles side thanks to a 36th minute first half goal by Matt MacKenzie. It was an open and exciting first period with chances for both sides, the best falling to the home centre forward Ben Taylor who failed to direct his header on target from less than 5 yards out. MacKenzie could have scored in the 3rd minute but his shot was just wide and Taylor volleyed over soon after, before Jack Wilkinson's header was tipped over by Woodbridge keeper Tom Ross. Andy Coote was narrowly wide after being put through and Julian Beaumont forced a good save from Ross from an acute angle. Matt Chinnery found space through the middle with a strong run from deep and he was rewarded when his shot rebounded off the crossbar leaving MacKenzie a simple task to convert. Achilles nearly struck back immediately through Beaumont who hit the foot of the post with Ross well beaten. Sean Benneworth was winning good ball in the air and came close twice from Woodbridge corners. Defences were generally on top in the second half with Brent Richards and Owen Symonds dominant for the visitors. The Woodbridge backline, with Alex Harvey and Matt McCarthy outstanding, held firm as Achilles pressed forward in the final quarter.
Felixstowe H 2-3 3/9/11
Felixstowe fought back from a 2-0 half time deficit to take all three points. Achilles took an early lead when Andy Coote rounded Gary Hammond in Lionel Messi fashion after being put through by Ricky Deasy. The visitors gained some control in the midfield area as Achilles hung on to their lead but some loose defending allowed Kieron Donovan a simple tap in to give Achilles a 2-0 half time lead. Felixstowe pulled one back from a far post free kick that rebounded across the goal and Chris Kyle applied the finishing touch from close range. Felixstowe equalised after 70 minutes. A free kick taken by Hammond in his own half was only half cleared. Matthew Morgan hooked the ball against the crossbar and man of the match Tom Childs was first to the rebound. Achilles were unlucky in a similar goalmouth scramble but were foiled by a goal-line clearance. The winner came with 10 minutes remaining. A short free kick was played down the line for winger Liam Hunn to provide the perfect cross to Childs who scored at the second attempt after his initial header had struck the post. Childs should have completed his hat trick 5 minutes later but shot wide.
Leiston St Margarets H 5-3
Achilles took control from the kick off but despite a string of corners and long throw ins failed to penetrate a stout Leiston St Margarets defence. The breakthrough came after 20 minutes when Julian Beaumont converted from the penalty spot after Andy Coote had been tripped. Darren Jones had been influential in midfield but was forced to retire with an injury. His replacement Dominic Arnold was lively and his delightful cross to Coote was well saved by Gary Lambert but Coote poked in the rebound. Philip Deller spurned a gilt edged opportunity to extend the home lead just before half time.
Coote made it three early in the second half and as Achilles took their foot off the gas, Leiston came into game and pulled one back when James Blades hooked in following a free kick. A far post cross from Deller was played back into the box by Coote and Deasy was on hand to stab in Achilles fourth. A defensive error let in Darren Harper to put the visitors back in the game and the same player scored again with ten minutes left after good approach work down the left hand side. Deep into stoppage time Deasy added a fifth for Achilles with a speculative lob that dropped in under the bar.
|Grundisburgh A 0-1 24/9/11
10 man Achilles fought a rearguard action in the final quarter to claim the points. The winner came after 30 minutes from a corner taken short to Coote, His cross was met by an unmarked Leys who made no mistake from 6 yards. In a half dominated by defenders, the only other chance fell to Villager Lyndon Alexander but his shot was well saved by Charters.
The second half saw Grundisburgh, playing down the slope, start brightly. Carr headed just over the bar from a corner and Alexander brought a another fine save from Charters at his far post. On the hour Achilles had Coote sent off with a second yellow card prompting the champions to surge forward looking for the equaliser. With Bell and Symonds in commanding form at the centre of the visitor's defence, Grundisburgh found it difficult to create goal scoring opportunities. Indeed the best chance fell to Wilkinson for Achilles whose header was brilliantly tipped round the post by Crump. In the final minutes, Carr headed over from a corner and Alexander forced another save from Charters as Achilles held out to the final whistle.
Old Newton H 3-0 1/10/11
Half time 1-0
Achilles scored a convincing victory against a lack lustre Old Newton side by a three goal margin that could and should have been far greater. In a first half totally dominated by the home team the single goal that separated the teams belied their undoubted superiority. After a succession of corners and free kicks, the lively Julian Beaumont robbed keeper Craig Brand on the edge of the area but looped his shot wide. But Beaumont made amends on the half hour when he outpaced a sluggish Old Newton defence to open the scoring.
The second half opened as the first had finished and Beaumont should have doubled the lead straight from the kick off in a carbon copy repeat of his goal but this time his lob bounced on the hard ground and cleared the crossbar. Brand denied Kieran Donovan with an outstretched arm and with the goal apparently gaping miraculously blocked Beaumont's follow up. Chances continued to come for Achilles and from Beaumont's cross Wilkinson spooned his shot high over the bar, then Beaumont side footed into the ground and again over the bar. But with the score still at 1-0, Ager could have turned the tide but directed his header wide of the far post. For Achilles 2nd, Ricky Deasy chased a lost cause but Brand's clearance rebounded 20 yards into the net off Deasy's shins and Beaumont completed the scoring after Deasy had chested down Donovan's cross.
Achilles 4 – 1 Cranes Sports Suffolk Senior Cup 8/10/2011
Crane Sports started brightly with early chances falling to Gavin Mortimer and Lloyd Dodsworth and it came as no surprise when the visitors took the lead from the penalty spot. Achilles fought their way back into the game and Chris Leys equalised with a powerful header from the corner. Julian Beaumont was involved in most of Achilles good moves and eventually got his goal with a header from close in. Leading goal scorer Andy Coote came off the bench to seal victory for Achilles in the last 10 minutes and entertained the crowd with two picturebook finishes. Achilles now meet last years winners, Whitton United in the next round.
Cranes Sports 1 – 0 Achilles 22/10/11
An early opportunity fell to Adam Nuttall of Cranes Sports but his header from a free kick was straight at the keeper. Cranes were enjoying a good share of the possession by virtue of their 5 man midfield formation, but were unable to fashion a clear cut chance. On the other hand Achilles' forwards were the livelier and both Beaumont and Arnold had attempts at goal but could not apply a decisive final touch.
The second half was dominated by Achilles as the Cranes midfield slowed but despite delivering dangerous crosses into the penalty area, Achilles were unable to penetrate the home rearguard. Kevin Holland in the Cranes goal was seeing plenty of the ball and made one memorable save from point blank range when Ricky Deasy's cross was deflected goalwards by one of his own players. With the game heading for a goalless draw, in injury time, Cranes Sports were awarded a penalty and Melvyn Clarke made no mistake sending the keeper the wrong way to give the home side a badly needed victory that lifts them off the bottom of the league table and out of the relegation zone.
Achilles 5 – 2 Framlingham 29/10/11
Achilles came from a goal behind to score 5 goals in a thrilling second half with a fine exhibition of finishing. The first half belonged to Framlingham who took the lead in the 10th minute with an excellent run and first time shot by Kane Bultitude and same player nearly repeated the feat soon after but his shot was inches wide.
Three minutes into the second period Achilles equalised from a Deller free kick, Sean Bell placing his shot in the far corner. Achilles took the lead when Andy Coote chased the ball to the corner flag, dribbled past the full back and laid on the perfect cross for Chris Leys to head home. Coote then latched on to Deller's forward pass to cleverly lob the keeper. Framlingham pulled one back through an own goal before Jack Wilkinson extended Achilles lead with a stunning curling shot to the top corner from 20 yards. Framlingham had appeals for a penalty turned down before substitute Lee Osborn turned back the years to run from the half way line and slot home.
Achilles 3 – 3 Ipswich Athletic 12/11/11
The game started off at a high tempo with fierce challenges coming in from both teams. Achilles took an early lead when Kieron Donovan cut inside from the right wing and his low cross was turned in by Chris Leys. Julian Beaumont came off the bench to replace the injured Andy Coote and immediately increased the home advantage, intercepting a misplaced backpass, rounding the keeper and scoring from an acute angle. Darren Jones thought he had cleared Dean Tourney-Godfrey's powerful header from a corner off the goal line but the linesman spotted the ball had crossed the line and flagged for a goal.
Athletic started the second half well and hit the post from a sliced cross before Kieron Donovan headed Chris Leys' cross over the bar with the goal gaping. Ipswich Athletic levelled the scores through Craig Jennings who won a brave challenge with Ross Charters in the home goal to stab in the loose ball. With time running out Achilles scored again, the ball poked home by Owen Symonds from short range. With a home win looking likely a mix up in the Achilles defence saw Sean Bell's intended back header trickle into an empty net. A thoroughly entertaining game with a draw probably a fair result.
Ransomes Sports 2- 2 Achilles 19/11/11 Suffolk Senior Cup
Achilles won 6-4 on penalties
Ransomes took an early lead when Sam Bartholomew headed home from 6 yards. Jack Foster saved at the feet of Keiron Donovan but was deceived by Philip Deller's free kick that eluded everyone for the equaliser. A misplaced throw out by the Achilles keeper gifted the ball to Bartholomew whose chipped return just grazed the keeper's fingertips to put the home side 2-1 up at the break.
Bartholomew was denied his hat trick by a one handed reaction save by Ross Charters and then by a last ditch block by Sean Bell. A bicycle kick by Chris Leys was well saved by Foster who then went down bravely as Ricky Deasy bore down on goal. Crowe hit the bar for Ransomes as the home side looked to be in command but a push on Deasy in the penalty area gave Achilles a lifeline, the penalty comfortably converted by Lee Osborn.
With little goalmouth action in extra time, the tie was decided by penalties and provided the opportunity for Charters to make amends for his earlier mistake. Two excellent diving saves did exactly that and Achilles scored from their spot kicks to see them through to the quarter final away to Long Melford.
Achilles 2 - 5 Woodbridge Athletic 26/11/11
Achilles welcomed SIL Senior League leaders, Woodbridge Athletic, to Salmet Close this afternoon and it was soon obvious that the superb Pauls' pitch was to the liking of a most attractive Woodbridge team.
Early play favoured Achilles but, after 12 minutes, a swift left wing strike and cross saw a fine centre turned into his own goal by Leyes.
The homesters fought back and a cross into the Woodbridge goalmouth was forced home by Donovan. However, not to be deterred, the visitors fought back and another dangerous left wing cross was headed home by Chinnery to give Woodbridge an interval lead.
Early second half play on the part of Achilles saw the returning Ryan Wardley to Achilles' ranks strike a fine equaliser but this was capped by an even better effort by former Achillian, Eamon Bridger, to put the visitors ahead once again.
Thereafter, stout efforts by Achilles to draw level again left holes at the back and the rampant Woodbridge team scored twice more, through Chinnery, to register a fine 5-2 away win against one of their challengers and to consolidate their position as leaders of the Division.
Achilles 2 – 2 Haughley United 10/12/11
In perfect conditions for football the first half was thoroughly entertaining though goalless. Chris Leys had the ball in the net after 20 minutes after a good cross by Arnold but the effort was ruled offside. Achilles looked dangerous down the wings with Dominic Arnold a constant threat to the visitors, whilst Haughley looked to press home their height advantage at set pieces. Indeed it was from a corner that Martin McConnell outjumped the defence to give Haughley the lead. Lee Broomfield then equalised for Achilles, but almost immediately Simon Geesham thundered in an unstoppable free kick from 25 yards to restore Haughley's advantage. Achilles pressed forward and Steve Locke was well placed to clear Chris Leys effort off the line but from the ensuing corner Keiran Donovan forced the ball home for the second equaliser. In an all action final 10 minutes, Ross Charters saved well from Kwame Jones and Jack Hawkins was just wide when well placed. The game was well refereed by Mr Edwards who was ably supported by his two excellent assistants.
BT Trimley 0 – 0 Achilles 30/12/11
Achilles win 4-1 after extra time and penalties
A youthful BT Trimley welcomed Senior opposition in what could have been a fascinating contest. In truth, it was a drab affair dominated by solid defences, with Alex Pope in excellent form for BT and Austin King marshalling a well organised Achilles rearguard. Early chances fell to Julian Beaumont for the visitors, the first bravely blocked by Dave White, the second headed narrowly over. Achilles had the territorial advantage but BT were dangerous on breakaways and from one such attack Gareth Oliver drew a fine save from Paul Carter. The second half was dull with neither side capable of mounting any sustained pressure, the best and only clear cut chance falling again to Beaumont who shook the frame of the goal with his shot at the far post.
The game inexorably drifted into penalties. BT Trimley failed with their first two leaving Achilles in the driving seat. 4 well directed penalties saw Achilles progress to the next round.
Achilles 2 – 2 East Bergholt 14/1/12
Achilles took an early lead through Dominic Arnold from the penalty spot when James Phillips was adjudged to have blocked a right wing cross with his arm. Both teams were working hard but could not convert their efforts into goalscoring opportunities until the 47th minute when Ross Charters was called on to save one-on-one at the feet of Ian Gedny. East Bergholt then equalised when James Moulton burst through the defence at blistering pace. The visitors had the ball in the net immediately afterwards but the goal was ruled offside.
Achilles took the lead again with a powerful drive by Jack Wilkinson from fully 40 yards that caught Des Burn in the Bergholt goal a few yards off his line. Achilles could have extended their lead but Ricky Deasy's header was just wide and Burn spread himself to deny Callum Moran from 6 yards out. Bergholt pressed forward but were unable to trouble Charters until the 89th minute when a long free kick by Burn was headed on and defender Lewis Symes headed into the corner for a well deserved equaliser.
Achilles 3 – 1 Melton St Audreys 21/1/12
Achilles upset the form book to progress to the Quarter Finals of the Touchline Sports Cup. Melton St Audreys conceded an early corner that was only partly cleared and the return cross was headed in by Chris Leys at the far post to put the home side ahead. Melton continued to play attractive football and were rewarded with a penalty for a trip on Maurice Fike just inside the penalty box but Daniel Barnett's penalty kick was well saved by Ross Charters. Melton's disappointment was shortlived when Fike raced through to finish well in the corner of the net to end the first half all square.
Another corner in the 52nd minute proved Melton's Achilles heel, again not properly cleared and Dominic Arnold returned the ball into the box for Leys to bravely head his second goal from close in. Achilles added a third soon after when Julian Beaumont played in Ricky Deasy whose low cross was swept home by Darren Jones. Melton enjoyed a spell of possession but were limited to shots from distance that failed to trouble Charters and in the final minutes Achilles Ross Wardley was denied by a fine save by Adam Wilson.
Haughley United 4 – 3 Achilles 28/1/12
Haughley opened the scoring in the 28th minute when James Hawkins ran in from the left and neatly dinked the ball over the advancing keeper. Simon Gresham was about to double the home lead when he was pushed from behind and Aaron Robinson put away the penalty. Robinson could have put the game out of the visitors reach but his shot hit the post. Achilles made several chances but woeful finishing kept keeper Aaron Mayhew out of the action.
In the second period Haughley scored again straight from kick off through Nathan Smith and Achilles replied immediately from a corner, Kieron Donovan heading home unopposed. In the 60th minute idiosyncratic referee Mr Flaherty waved play on with all the players expecting offside, Nathan Smith ran on, was upended by the keeper and Robinson converted his second penalty. The Achilles bench was incensed and Mr Flaherty dismissed the away coach for his protestations. Achilles brought on two extra forwards and pulled back goals through Andy Coote and Chris Leys. In an exciting final ten minutes, Mayhew saved well from Jack Wilkinson and the Haughley defence survived two desperate goalmouth scrambles to run out relieved 4 -3 winners.
Achilles 4 – 0 Melton St Audreys 18/2/12
Achilles recorded their first SIL league win since October in convincing style against an attractive Melton St Audreys side who themselves were on a seven match unbeaten league run. The match started at a furious pace and it was Melton that struck first but the “goal” was disallowed for offside. Achilles took the lead in the 25th minute. A free kick from Andy Coote was not cleared and Keiran Donovan made no mistake at the far post. The Achilles midfield were pressing their opponents deep into the Melton half. Chris Leys won a solid tackle 30 yards out, fed Julian Beaumont and the veteran striker turned back the years to check inside and pick his spot in the corner.
Achilles looked the more dangerous in the second half as Melton's neat approach play was blunted by an Achilles defence well marshalled by Sean Bell. It was man of the match Bell at the other end of the pitch who rose the highest to meet Coote's free kick from the left to head Achilles further ahead. Home keeper Charters made a fine save at the feet of Matthew Green in the 80th minute before a long clearance was misjudged by the Melton defence and Callum Moran raced through for Achilles fourth just as the final whistle blew.
Leiston St Margarets 3 – 2 Achilles 25/2/12
Achilles started brightly but Leiston St Margarets had the first attempt on goal Ross Pemberton firing narrowly wide. Then home keeper Gary Lambert saved spectacularly from a dipping volley by Jack Wilkinson. As the first half wore on, Leiston St Margarets gained control and were finding lots of space in the Achilles half. A neat pass inside the full back found Darren Harper whose shot was well saved but James Blades made no mistake from the rebound and Leiston doubled their lead soon after when Chris Wright headed home unchallenged from a free kick. Callum Moran was unlucky not to pull a goal back when he struck the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.
Within ten minutes of the restart Achilles were level. First Darren Jones headed in a Julian Beaumont cross and then from a free kick 25 yards out, Dominic Arnold unleashed a powerful drive that was wickedly deflected past Lambert. On 65 minutes a long clearance deceived the Achilles defence and James Blades ran on to be brought down for a penalty. Blades himself stepped up to power an unstoppable shot high into the goal to the keeper's left. Achilles pressed for a second equaliser but could not find a way past Wright and his determined defence.
Achilles 2 – 2 Wickham Market 3/3/12
Achilles took the lead in the 12th minute with a fine opportunist goal by Andy Coote. Wickham Market responded immediately, Michael Crowfoot launched a long throw into the penalty area and Arron Pettitt converted from close range. It was amazing that the first half finished at one each because both teams were creating good scoring chances. Ben Taylor was clean through for Achilles and shot wide, Callum Moran found himself in on goal and lobbed over and the same player headed over from close range. It was not one way traffic though and if Jay Churchyard had brought his shooting boots with him, he could have written his name onto the scoresheet on more than one occasion.
The second half began in similar vein, Moran hit the post with a header before Wickham Market did find the net through Sam Taylor whose shot was true and sure. The visitors enjoyed their best spell of the match but were unable to extend their lead as Achilles made changes to liven up their play. It was substitute Sean Bell who rose highest to meet Darren Jones' corner in the dying minutes and Ben Taylor hooked the loose ball into the roof of the net to salvage a point for Achilles.
Old Newton 0 – 2 Achilles 10/3/12
Achilles completed the “double” over Old Newton with a convincing 2nd half performance. The first half was a very even contest with neither side able to create clear cut scoring opportunities as experienced defenders Paul Ager for Old Newton and Sean Bell for the visitors dominated their respective areas. The best chance of the half fell to Old Newton's Dave Lampshire who really should have scored from close in.
Chris Leys scored both Achilles goals, the first coming in the 63th minute. A corner from the left was won by Sean Bell and Leys was on hand to forced the ball home. Crosses from Andy Coote, Dom Arnold and Ricky Deasy continued to trouble the home defence although the slender single goal lead should have been wiped out in the 75th minute but Jordan Scott-Webb dragged his shot wide from 12 yards. On the 90th minute Achilles were awarded a penalty for a trip on Deasy, converted by Leys, and had appeals for a second penalty turned down moments later when keeper Craig Brand clumsily challenged Deasy for a mis-kicked high ball.
Sporting 87 0 – 3 Achilles 17/3/12 TOUCHLINE SPORTS CUP QUARTER FINAL
Achilles started brightly against opponents from the top of Division 2. The Ipswich side deservedly took the lead in the 15th minute when Chris Leys fed Darren Jones who controlled well and scored with a low shot off the inside of the post. 10 minutes later Sporting 87 had a chance to equalise but Sam Marsden could not keep his effort low enough. An Achilles breakaway fell to Coote who fed Deasy down the right wing and Coote converted the cross himself at the far post. At the end of the first half Chris Leys hit the post in a goalmouth scramble following a corner.
On the hour Achilles increased their lead when Coote dribbled through on the left and sent the keeper the wrong way with a low shot. Sam Marsden continued to shine for the junior side and forced saves from Ross Charters first after a neat dribble along the goal-line and then a long shot from outside the penalty area. The game was well refereed by Mr Brian Chapman whose consistently high standard always helps to made for an entertaining game. So Achilles now are faced with a home tie against East Bergholt in the semi final.
Achilles 4 – 2 Stanton 24/3/12
On a glorious spring day and despite both clubs sitting mid-table, the match was surprisingly competitive and highly charged and both teams were fully committed to their task. Stanton could have taken an early lead as Lee Drummond broke away down the right wing, crossed and Gary Newman's slightly scuffed shot was cleared off the line by Jamie Moran. Further chances fell to Andy Coote and Ian Chapnel from corners and then Dougie Mustoe saved well from Beaumont. Stanton appeals for a penalty for a sliding tackle were turned down before Achilles took the lead when Andy Coote get on the end of a long pass from Deasy, held off Chapnel and shot across Mustoe for the opener. Stanton equalised directly from a free kick just outside the box, Matthew Chaplin giving Charters no chance.
Stanton started the second period strongly and after a string of corners deservedly took the lead when Chapnel forced the ball in from close range. In the final 15 minutes, Achilles took the game by the scruff of the neck with 3 excellent goals. Firstly Ben Taylor equalised with a neat piece of skill inside the box and then Coote scored the goal of the match with a volley on the turn from 18 yards after a good run and cross by Deller. With moments to go, Callum Moran showed both control and composure to seal the points for the home team.
Achilles 0 – 7 Cranes 31/3/12
A comprehensive thumping of local rivals Achilles lifted Cranes two places out of the relegation zone plunging Capel Plough in trouble with Framlingham Town. Cranes performance at Salmet Close belied their lowly position and, if they complete their season on this form, should lift themselves further away from danger. Admittedly Achilles were without midfielders Jack Wilkinson and Kieran Donovan, but the scale of the visitors dominance was truly reflected in the scoreline. The first goal came from a fast break. With Achilles claiming offside, Matthew Oxbrow crossed and Gavin Mortimer converted. Moments later only last ditch tackle by Deasy prevent a repeat move. Mortimer got his second pouncing on indecision in the home defence and Gavin Paul added a third after a corner was not properly cleared. Achilles best effort came just before half time, Kevin Holland going full length to deny Julian Beaumont.
Adam Nuttall was having a fine game on the right wing and provided the cross for Mortimer to head home at the far post to complete his hat trick. Three goals in the final ten minutes two by the hard working Daniel Barker and a deflected shot that struck Melvyn Clarke on the head on its way to the net completed the scoring.
Achilles 2 – 1 East Bergholt 7/4/2012 Touchline cup semi final
Achilles came back from the previous week's 7-0 defeat to fight their way to the Touchline Cup final. Achilles two goals were scored by Jack Wilkinson in a first half totally dominated by the home side. Callum Moran struck the post with a header and then the same player, clean through on goal, had his shot well saved by Des Burns. Wilkinson's first goal, a header in the top corner, came from a free kick driven in from the half way line by Darren Jones, his second from a long throw in headed on by Chris Leys and swept in giving Burns no chance. Moran had another good chance but his close range header was straight at Burns.
East Bergholt started the second half strongly and pulled one back through Scott Fryerr from the edge of the penalty area and continued to mount pressure on the Achilles goal. Good work down both wings saw a succession of dangerous crosses rain in on the Achilles goal and only resolute defending from Sean Bell and Austin King in the heart of the defence prevented an equaliser. Achilles thought they had scored a third when Andy Coote lobbed the keeper and Andrew Peck appeared to have cleared the ball from behind the goal line, but neither official was positioned to award a goal. Bergholt's Joel Watkins was looking very lively and a double save by veteran Paul Carter in the final minutes prevented the game going to extra time.
Achilles 0 – 1 Capel Plough 10/4/12
Capel Plough lifted themselves out of the relegation zone with a hard working performance against a Jeckel and Hyde mid-table Achilles side. Capel Plough seemed to have the greater desire to win and the first opportunities fell to them. Ricky Thurlow cut inside and shot narrowly wide, then a cross from Patrick Tynan was headed wide by Miles Donovan before Thurlow struck the crossbar. It was not one way traffic – for Achilles Callum Moran, for the second week running, headed against the post and just after halftime Andy Coote hit the crossbar with a shot on the turn.
The deciding goal came on the hour. A neat move between Thurlow and Tynan and Adam Rawhorn was waiting at the far post to convert Tynan's cross. A free kick was awarded to Capel from 6 yards out for Charters handling a back pass but the shot was charged down by the keeper in a crowded penalty area. With time running out Achilles started to show greater urgency. A long free kick into the Capel penalty area was headed in by Chris Leys but the “equaliser” was ruled out for offside.
Ipswich Athletic 0 – 2 Achilles 14/4/12
Achilles defeated local rivals Ipswich Athletic despite being reduced to ten men after only 15 minutes. Ipswich Athletic started brightly, Craig Jennings striking the crossbar from an acute angle, but it was Achilles that took the lead on 10 minutes through Dominic Arnold with a 25 yard free kick that went in off the underside of the bar. The sending off seemed to spur the visitors to greater efforts and Ipswich Athletic found it difficult to make their superior numbers count. A ferocious long shot by Jennings had Ross Charters scrambling on the half hour but Sean Bell and Austin King at the heart of the Achilles defence held out comfortably to half time.
Achilles pushed Dominic Arnold up front to join Callum Moran for the second half and their tireless running was hurrying Athletic into mistakes. In a good move Jennings found time to shoot against the outside of the post, but it was Chris Leys of Achilles that had the ball in the net after 75 minutes however the goal was ruled out for offside. Immediately afterwards, Moran crossed for veteran substitute Julian Beaumont to pick his spot and put the game safe for Achilles.
Ransomes Sports 1 – 4 Achilles 17/4/12
Achilles looked dangerous from the start and Darren Jones burst through to see his chipped shot just clear the crossbar. At the other end Ross Charters saved well from Sam Bartholomew. Achilles scored from a breakaway in the 15 minute, Andy Coote feeding Julian Beaumont who cut inside and placed his shot into the corner. Kieran Donovan doubled Achilles lead when he pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and moments later Reece Ingram cleared off the line from Coote, a feat he repeated again in the second half. Further chances continued to come for the visitors but a combination of Jack Foster's good goalkeeping and wayward shooting limited the score to 2-0 at half time.
Ransomes started the second half better and Charters saved again from Bathlomew before Jack Wilkinson rose majestically from a corner to head powerfully for Achilles third. Kosta Kariantziz cut inside from the left wing and forced a superb diving save from Charters. Achilles scored their fourth again on the breakaway in a carbon copy of their first goal, Beaumont cutting inside to place his shot wide of Foster. In the 85th minute Ransomes were awarded a penalty and David Ford slammed the ball home for a late consolation.
Achilles 0 – 3 Grundisburgh 21/4/12
With Woodbridge losing to Haughley, last season's champions Grundisburgh needed to beat Achilles to keep alive their chances of retaining the title, despite being deducted 6 points earlier in the season. The 3-0 margin of their victory at Salmet Close was indeed a true reflection of the Villager's domination throughout the match. The first goal was made by a long cross from the left wing that was firmly headed home by right winger Lyndon Alexander. A tremendous free kick from a good 40 yards out by Andy Crump struck the base of the post and Charters saved well from Lewis Driver as Achilles struggled to get to grips with the accurate passing and free running Grundisburgh outfit.
The second goal was a solo effort by Alexander who kept his feet under a robust challenge by Chris Leys and continued his run evading two further challenges before placing his shot from an acute angle – an excellent goal well appreciated by the large crowd. Driver scored the third at the second attempt after his first effort was parried by Charters. Keiran Donovan produced Achilles only real strike on target, his header being tipped onto the bar as Achilles rallied in the final ten minutes.
Achilles 4 – 3 Ransomes 1/5/12
Ransomes Sports' relegation from senior football was confirmed despite a spirited performance against a strong Achilles team. Ransomes Sports took the lead after Sean Bell's attempted clearance was charged down and Sam Bartholomew blasted the loose ball into the top corner. In response, Darren Jones played in Julian Beaumont but Jack Foster saved well from 15 yards. On the half hour, Andy Coote stole in front of Ross White to head Chris Leys cross for the equaliser. A mazy run by Ransomes Sports' Elliot Crowe laid it on a plate for Kosta Korantzis, but the winger side footed wide of the post, then Foster saved again from Beaumont from close in.
Achilles went ahead when Chris Leys powered a thunderbolt volley from the edge of the penalty area and Julian Beaumont added a third soon after. Ransomes Sports were playing the better football and pulled one back through Ross Rands from a corner and should have equalised but Crowe put his header just wide at the far post. An Achilles corner was not cleared and the return was put in by ace goal poacher Beaumont. Ransomes Sports' David Ford scored again on the breakaway with ten minutes remaining but Achilles played out the match without further incidents.
Melton St Audrys 2 – 4 Achilles 5/5/12
In the day's early kick off, Melton took the lead when Josh Kerridge was presented with a free header from a corner kick. Maurice Fike extended the home advantage easily converting Leon Hall's enticing cross. but Achilles pulled one back before half time when Ben Taylor headed home Dale Hammond's cross.
Melton should have restored their two goal lead but Fike's far post header struck the goalpost from close range. Ben Taylor claimed Achilles equaliser with the aid of a huge deflection and the visitors went ahead through a free kick taken by Dominic Arnold near the half way line that eluded everyone including the goalkeeper. Achilles were now in control of the midfield area and with ten minutes to go Kieran Donovan burst through to unleash a thunderous shot that gave Baker no chance. Achilles now look forward to Wednesday evening's Touchline Cup final against Haughley United at Woodbridge in winning form.