Club Notes 4th April 2017

The Seniors' season is proceeding to a most interesting and well deserved finale with progress to the finals of both the Suffolk FA Senior Cup and the SIL Bob Coleman League Cup. Unfortunately, a "triple" looks just that step too far but the current third position in the Senior table, and second-place, Crane Sports, just a point or two higher, runners-up for the second season in succession is certainly more than just a wish!

Having beaten AFC Kesgrave in the Bob Coleman semi-final a week or so ago, the Senior Cup final against Capel Plough at Needham Market's well appointed "Bloomfields" last Friday evening, was watched by an appreciative crowd of some 300. Managers, Luke Hillyard and Andy Coote, suffered a late shock when top midfield man, David Grimwood, was temporarily hospitalised the day before the Friday match under the Needham lights. Andy was called upon in David's absence and, together with Matty Ryland, was outstanding in defence.

Although Achilles enjoyed the balance of play in the first period half-time came at 0-0. Not long into the second period top scorer, Liam Hillyard, slid in our first goal and, then, Liam produced a second worthy of the highest level of the game of football to ensure progress to the Senior Cup final which has been arranged for 2:00pm on Sunday 30th April at Portman Road. Unfortunately, the other semi-final between SIL colleagues, Crane Sports, and Eastern Counties Leaguers, Haverhill Borough, was abandoned after just five minutes because of a nasty collision involving three players. The match has been re-arranged for Saturday 8th April.

The SIL Bob Coleman Cup final against 1st Division opponents, Benhall St Mary, will be held under lights on the Woodbridge Town ground on Friday 12th May.

Attention last Saturday turned to Reece Nunn's Inter As for a "six-pointer" against the highflying Hoxne Inter As. Overall, there was very little between two well matched squads but our visitors knew the better way to goal and, assisted by some silly play/behaviour on the part of one or two of our lads, deservedly took all three points via a 4-1 margin.

This coming Saturday the Seniors make the short trip to a vastly improved Grundisburgh while the Inter As host Crane Sports Inter As at Salmet Close.