Club Notes 17 September 2017

Despite the local attraction of the ITFC home match just down the way at Portman Road, there was a crowd of well in excess of 150 at Salmet Close for Achilles' Suffolk FA Senior Cup match (sponsored by regular supporter, Richard Eadie) against Eastern Counties Leaguers, Framlingham Town.

Present in the crowd, in particular, was SIL Chairman, Keith Norton, who a number of "moons" ago was one of Achilles' most successful managers, and longstanding Fram' stalwart, Sid Vyce, and many tales of yesteryear emerged from the "memory tank" as the match proceeded and, indeed, in the Bar afterwards.

As for the match, in a Cup competition which Achilles won at Portman Road for the first time in their long history last May, another fine match developed on the excellent surface with the hitherto unbeaten visitors taking the proceedings to their rather more mature hosts and it was some 15 minutes or so before Achilles staged an attack of any consequence. However, Achilles (also unbeaten this campaign) gradually took over proceedings and, with Lee Grimwood always a menace to the visitor's defence, successful close range efforts by Lee and, then, Ivan Buxton gave Achilles a two goal half-time advantage. Although Fram' "huffed and puffed" for much of the second period Achilles' goal was never under any sustained pressure and it was Ivan, enjoying an outstanding match in mid-field, who covered some 40 yards to run onto a perfect pass by Danny Garrod and slot the ball beyond Fram's 'keeper to confirm Achilles' progress to the 2nd round - the repeat of the tie last season at Lowestoft's Waveney FC from the Anglian Combination League on the 14th October (a coach will be organised and interested supporters should contact Dave Morgan (01473 435867 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).

Unfortunately, Achilles' re-vitalised Inter As, due by coincidence to visit Framlingham, received a late confirmation that the appointed referee had called off and, therefore, the match was postponed (surely, with the known shortage of officials, Clubs should be free to produce any "civvy" to take the whistle - our "lads" would have been perfectly happy to travel to Fram' on that basis - or is that the SIL rule, already?).

Next Saturday both squads are scheduled to meet Coplestonians FC with the Seniors at home for the third match in succession and the Inter As travelling to Cops' School.