Club Notes 17 October 2017

History repeated itself for Achilles last Saturday when, for the second season running, the Seniors visited Lowestoft in a Suffolk Senior Cup encounter to do battle with Anglian Combination opponents, Waveney FC.
Last season saw a hard fought third round 3-0 triumph for our lads on the way to the ultimate success in the final at Portman Road against fellow SIL Senior opponents, Crane Sports FC. This time it was the second round of this illustrious competition and there was some doubt whether manager, Luke Hillyard, would make it on the same day as his return flight from (sunny?) Florida. Indeed, it was a bronzed, if rather "shattered", manager who arrived at the venue almost at the same time as the coach carrying most of the squad and a goodly collection of our regular supporters.

Waveney's current position in the Premier Division table of the Anglian Combination seemed to suggest that our hosts were not enjoying quite the success of the previous season and, apart from a spirited start to their second half performance, this turned out to be the case, as described below.

There was early concern in Achilles' ranks when the squad selection revealed that top scorer, Liam Hillyard, had earlier injured a knee at work. A "cunning" restructuring of the team saw just Lee Grimwood out in front, and all over the pitch, and although the 6-0 success was very much a team effort, it was his darting runs allied with club captain, Keiron Donovan's, majestic display in "the middle" which were the keynotes for this splendid win.

At the break Achilles were just two up, the first a typical blind side ghost-in by Ivan Buxton from Lee's cross and a sublime free kick (which would have graced the game at the very highest level) from Danny Garrod. As mentioned earlier, our hosts did give us cause for concern at the start of the second half but when, after a fine passing movement, Gav' Van Oene thrashed a third in off both posts Waveney rather fell away and Lee deservedly registered the fourth and, to cap it all, "super-sub", Robert Bucys (happily returned to his favourite club), notched two, both from close range, to seal a fine win and, having beaten Fram' Town 3-0 in the first, progress to the third round.

Meanwhile, at Salmet Close, with veteran 'keeper, Dougie Mustoe, still injured another veteran, Paul Carter, was called upon to perform between the "sticks" in the goalless but attractive 0-0 draw with a talented, young, Fram' Town reserve outfit. Managers, Jamie King and Chris Crick, were reasonably happy with the outcome, having suffered several unavoidable call-offs late in the day.

This coming Saturday the Seniors welcome old rivals, Grundisburgh, to Salmet Close while the Inter As make the short trip to Bramford. Finally, a word for the referee, Regan Bradshaw, who gave a masterly description as to how to control a match with quiet authority and a minimum, if any, "yellows"! The results mean that, to date, both Achilles' teams are unbeaten thus far this season.