Club Notes 18 September 2019

With the Reserves "idle", most attention was focused on the Seniors' away fixture against the talented Coplestonians squad at their new location, the Ipswich Wanderers SEH ground in Humberdoucy Lane, on the eastern outskirts of Ipswich. The "Cops" had started well this season, indeed, they were unbeaten in the SIL Senior Division thus far.and, to this observor, overall looked a slightly older, physically stronger, outfit.

Despite the summer weather, exchanges were fast and furious with, increasingly, our lads taking hold of proceedings and, certainly, Cops' 'keeper was far busier than Achilles' number one.  However, despite the territorial advantage and some fine saves by that 'keeper, the scoreline was still goalless at the half hour mark. Then, out of the blue, star performer, Sean Hanley, rattled a high ball (was it a shot?) from some 45 yards which, to the hapless Cops' custodian, entered his net high up beyond his outstretched left arm.  From that point to the break we had several chances to "put the match to bed" but only that narrow lead stood until the half-time break.

Cops' came into the match more in the second period but the best chances still came to Achilles and, after a brilliant run, it was my "man of the match" Sean, who really should have scored again to reflect our superiority but his final effort left something to be desired. Typically, in a match where, really, "we should have been out of sight", our hosts at last put our defence under pressure with four corners in rapid succession but we held out with not too much trouble to deservedly take all three points from that first half "wonder" strike!

This coming Saturday we welcome 1st Division (North) Eastern Counties Leaguers, Lakenheath FC to Salmet Close for a 1st round Suffolk FA Senior Cup clash - a trophy which, of course, we hold as the result of the 4-3 win over (also) Eastern Counties Leaguers, Cornard Utd at Portman Road last season. Indeed, let's not forget we also won the same trophy two seasons earlier, also at Portman Road, against old friends and foes, Crane Sports. The Reserves make the short journey to Bramford.

Finally, it seems clear that fellow SIL Senior League competitors, Westerfield Utd, are encountering problems of sorts. All of us at Achilles do hope that matters can be resolved asap.