Club Notes 29 January 2018

AN excellent week-end for Achilles with the Seniors consolidating their lead at the top of the SIL Senior Division, courtesy of a 5-1 win over, lowly but attractive football playing, Leiston St Margarets, while the "A" Division Reserves surprised us with a hard fought but most welcome 1-0 win at Old Newton.

Although local pundits anticipated Achilles' win against Leiston, credit our youthful visitors for contributing to an open, well fought, encounter with the real difference being the ability of Achilles' forwards, and Lee Grimwood in particular, to convert their more frequent attacks into goals. Indeed, in no time at all we were three ahead with Danny Garrod converting a penalty and Lee, in typical style, netting two to secure a comfortable 3-0 lead at the break. Immediately into the second period new signing, Lewis Kincaid, demolished any hopes of our visitors making a come back when he notched number four and, although Leiston scored a deserved opener and Shaun Chaplin denied them another or even more with a series of brave saves, another excellent effort by Lewis registered the nap hand.

Meanwhile the Reserves, having disapponted us in the previous games against neighbours, Ipswich Athletic and, then, Haughley Reserves, were away at on the face of it, much stronger opposition, at Old Newton, came away after a brave fight with that single goal win - the inevitable marksman being, Matt McCarthy.

This coming Saturday the Seniors are at home again, this time against promoted, surprise package, Benhall St Mary, in what will really be a six-pointer at the top end of the League table while the Reserves make the journey to Bury St Edmunds to meet Sporting 87.

A feature of the Seniors' game was the genorosity of the sizeable crowd when the collection box was taken arround and it is relevant to note that the income therefrom is just one, most welcome, source enabling entirely independent Clubs such as Achilles to survive. This was in addition to the also most welcome match sponsorship from J Hillyard Roofing Ltd.

Finally, recent 100 Club winners were No 15. Pete Crossley and No. 49 Shaun Deller.