Club Notes 11th February 2019

For the third season in a row this home match against fellow SIL Senior League campaigners, Westerfield Utd, signalled a Suffolk FA Senior Cup quarter final achievement for Achilles' Senior squad. Despite the inclement weather a goodly crowd was present for this encounter and it was splendid to see both Clubs so well supported with both camps emanating a friendly, if competitive, spirit. At the commencement of proceedings Achilles were in top position in the SIL Senior League table while Westerfield occupied a mid-table position and so the "uninformed" may well have concluded a fairly easy 90 minutes for the hosts. Not so, this was a tight fight with both squads noting that, if the match remained square at the 90 minute mark, in accordance with the (questionable) Suffolk FA ruling, the outcome would be decided straightaway through "penalties".

As it was the tight battle ensued with, indeed, Achilles rather hampered midway through the first half proceedings when Andy Crump came out worse in a "head to head" collision which needed early hospital attention ( indeed, the outcome of which confirmed concussion and a suspected fractured cheek bone). However, the proceedings re-started and just before half-time an excellent, low, free kick, bent "round the wall" by Connor Field, gave Achilles that narrow advantage in time for refreshments.

The second half followed a similar pattern, keeping the crowd on its toes, and at midway the incident of the half, perhaps the match, arose when a "tight" situation in Westerfield's penalty area, with the ball rather knocked around similar to a pinball, finished with a volley slammed into the net to the obvious delight of Achilles - players and supporters. Everyone involved (not the supporters)trecked back to the kick-off area when, suddenly, a belated discussion took place between the relevant officials and a free kick was awarded. Instead of 2-0 it was still 1-0 and this observor can only apologise to the officials if our complaints were a tad too vociferous at that point.

Certainly, this development raised Westerfield's hopes, and game, and little doubt that there were more tenterhooks in the home rather than the visiting support. However, the balance of the proceedings seemed to assist Achillles' ability to break quickly and from one an absolute "cracker" of a low cross-shot from some 20 yards by Gavin Van Oene sealed the hard fought 2-0 victory.

Commiserations to our Westerfield colleagues and so nice to see them in the Bar afterwards and partaking of Tina's delightful array of snack foods.

No match for the Reserves but it can now be confirmed that the semi-final of the SIL Travel Plus Cup will be a home match against Framlingham Town Reserves on the 2nd March. Both squads are well placed in the SIL "A" Division and this should be quite a match.

Finally, a word of sympathy and encouragement to Andy Crump for a speedy return, particularly for both the League and Cup run-ins.