Club Notes 4th November 2019

A more than satisfactory Saturday for Achilles, with the Seniors at home for this SIL Senior Division match at Salmet Close, sharing four goals with a well organised Bildeston Rangers and the Reserves holding onto top spot in SIL Division "A" through an admittedly fortunate 2-1 victory against hosts, Coplestonians Reserves, on the Ipswich Wanderers "over the fence" pitch.

After the management problems of the previous week or two it was heartening to see Trevor Childs, Jamie King, and former successful manager, Lee Osborn, taking over and instilling excellent fight and spirit in the Seniors' ranks. Indeed, with the promised inclement weather rather behaving itself early play on the part of both teams on a fine surface was most attractive.

Bildeston, of course, were promoted from the SIL Division 1 as runners-up to Old Newton last season and it was clear that their promotion was well deserved . However, it was Achilles who gradually took the eye and, with Ryan Wragg happily returning to goal scoring form, the two goal advantage, both notched by Ryan, set the happy scene for a 2-0 advantage at the break.

It was clear that our visitors had received "quite a talk" in their changing room and several dangerous efforts on their part were dealt with, admifttedly, with some difficulty by our defence. Notwithstanding their improvement up front, it was really their 'keeper who, three or four times with flying saves, averted a third goal. Instead they opened their account and now it was all to play for.

With time running out, and still with every promise of all three home points, a puzzling award of a free kick to Bildeston, when just about everyone present, on the pitch and off, was anticipating the award going our way, it went the other and a last second effort on the part of our visitors saw them overjoyed to produce that 2-2 scoreline. Despite the disappointment of two points escaping, that aforementioned spirit is to the credit of the whole squad and to the managers "triple".

Meanwhile, the Reserves, in the view of joint manager, Chris Crick, and as hinted earlier, were fortunate to return to base with all three points but, put simply, you take your luck when it's presented to you!. Marksmen were JP Taylor and Lee Grimwood.
This approaching Saturday both squads "join battle" with Haughley Utd, with the Seniors at home once again, and the Reserves making that short trip to the village.