Club Notes 18th August 2019

After a successful pre-season set of friendlies the Seniors started their League programme with a home match at the Pauls Sports & Social Club's Salmet Close HQ against visitors Westerfield United, before an appreciative crowd of some 100 yesterday.

Both Clubs had experienced quite a turnover of players in the close season and returned manager, Luke Hillyard, had worked hard for Achilles to build what promises to be a very competitive and, of course, we hope, successful Senior squad and the Management Committee welcomes all the new players to both the Seniors and "A" Reserves squads. At the same time it's appropriate to welcome Barry Scott representing our new Club sponsors, Try Financial Ltd (where service matters), and to thank Trevor Child's Avid Mechanical Services Ltd for their support for several seasons. All is not lost so far as Trevor is concerned who will continue his coaching/training role with the Club.

Despite, what was probably a more traumatic close season for our visitors, they started off so well and took the lead through a "cracker" of a shot after some 10 minutes. Very gradually our marginally more competitive "pack" took over and goals from Sean Hanley (2), Gavin Van Oene (pen'), and Stephen Vincent - it could have been more - saw Achilles through to a comfortable 4-1 victory.

Surprisingly, the next three Senior matches are all away 24th Aug Capel; 31st Aug Old Newton; 7th Sept East Bergholt and, at long last, the full SIL Senior Division fixture list is now available on the website. We still await the extended "A" fixtures.

Achilles, are of course, holders of the Suffolk FA Senior Cup and we have been rewarded with a home draw for the 21st Sept against Eastern Counties Leaguers, Lakenheath FC.