Club Notes 1st May 2017

At last, we've won the Suffolk Senior Cup!

Before a crowd of well over a 1000 at Portman Road last Sunday we overcame old rivals Crane Sports 2-1 in an excellent game of football - a credit to both Clubs! Crane Sports' notes have already been listed and the Earl of Ufford has been most complimentary in his assessment of the game in general and our display in particular. Many thanks, Steve!

For my part it is right that I should highlight the work put in by managers, Luke Hillyard and Andy Coote and, more recently, coach Trevor Child who of course, via his company, Avid Mechanical Services Ltd., is Achilles' main sponsor. It turned out to be a magnificent day for everyone connected with Achilles and, naturally, the Pauls Sports & Social Club was "humming" when we all got back to HQ a while after the proceedings.

Not that it's all over yet for another season! This coming Wednesday the squad must travel to relegation haunted Wenhaston and, on Saturday, we welcome Haughley United to Salmet Close for the final League encounter. Maximum points from these two matches could make the situation at the top of the table most interesting but it would be wrong to pursue that line too far at this point! Suffice it to say that Luke and Andy expect the squad to go all out as if it were Portman Road all over again. Even then, that's not the end with the absolutely final match being the SIL Bob Coleman League Cup final on Friday evening, 12th May against fellow finalists, Benhall St Mary, who must be congratulated for just achieving promotion to the SIL Senior Division through their 3-0 success at Wickham Market last Saturday. Achilles are, of course, the holders of this trophy but Benhall have enjoyed a fantastic season and complacency will certainly not be the order of the day for Achilles on the 12th.

A quick word for Reece Nunn's Inter As who, last Saturday, were two, nearly three, goals to the good against a strong Westerfield United second string when no fewer than four niggling injuries took hold of the squad's performance and our visitors took full advantage of the situation to notch four goals and finish up 4-2 winners. Our star performers were evergreen, Dougie Mustoe between the sticks, and manager elect, Micky Adams.

A reminder of the Presentation Evening on Saturday 20th May, "informality will promenade" and so bring the family, and a few eats, for a happy evening. Also, at a more "mature" level tickets are still available (£25) for the annual Reunion Dinner on Friday 26th May (contact Dave Morgan on 01473 435867).