Club Notes Mar 17 2013

Double Cup success for Achilles this week-end with the Seniors proceeding to the semi-final of the SIL Bob Coleman League Cup and the Inter As to the final of the SIL Gipping Press Cup.

The Inter As really should take "pride of place" for their 3-2 triumph after extra-time against a spirited Trimley Red Devils on their difficult Stennetts Field pitch. A League match three weeks' earlier had fininshed in a 2-2 draw and, clearly, the Cup match was likely to be just as close. In fact, Achilles were two up at one stage but, rather in the style of the League match, the Devils clawed their way back to equalise just before the 90 minutes was up. However, the ebullient Phil Deller notched the winner, his second, with a fine effort in the added 30 minutes to secure victory.Josh Little was the other marksman, which takes the squad to the final on the 8 May against Leiston St Margarets' Inter Bs' squad on the Woodbridge Town ground. Well done lads!

Meanwhile the Seniors, seeking to follow to the same venue for their second season running, welcomed Wickham Market to Salmet Close for the second time this season - the first encounter finishing with a narrow 3-2 victory for Achilles. Since then our visitors had proceeded with much success to the top of the SIL Senior Division although they had fallen away marginally of late. Whatever, they were "first out of the trap" with Achilles given the run around for the first 15 minutes, or so, during which time Wickham took a deserved lead. However, Achilles finally found their own feet and goals from Andy Coote and Ben Taylor gave us a 2-1 interval lead. That was soon increased to 3-1 via Andy's second and, although Wickham narrowed the gap again in fine style, further goals from Ben and Marc Lowe sent the lads through to another home tie, the semi, against Melton on the 13 April with the target another win and a final two days' later after the Inter As' final. Again, the win was a product of committed teamwork with man of the match, Ricky Deasy, a revelation at wing back, Jack Wilkinson and Keiron Donovan bossing the midfield and, of course, Ben again amongst the goals up front.

Finally, a sobering thought, the Seniors have 10 games, or 11 if they can beat Melton, to finish their season while the Inter As have no less than 15 to play and it can only be hoped that the managers of both teams will be helped by everybody making themselves available for this fantastic run in with two Cup successes in sight and an increased possibility of a real tilt at the Senior League title, and runners up in Inter A.
TROJAN SUBSTITUTE.