Club Notes 15th January 2020

A quick reflection on the Seniors' last three matches - Crane Sports (away), Capel (home), and Bourne Vale Rangers (away).It's fairly wide knowledge that Achilles, having enjoyed several seasons of outstanding success ( twice winners of the Suffolk Senior Cup, winners of the (then) named Bob Coleman SIL League Cup and twice Senior League champs') , have rather tumbled down the other side of that peak period.

The major problem has been "managerial" and it's significant that long-term member of the Club, Andy Coote, has returned twice from his chosen Reserves activity, to ensure that, hopefully, the Club's future as a Senior Step 7 level operator can be maintained. To say the least, the Club is most appreciative of his dedication and a "corner seemed to have been turned" when, just after Christmas, Achilles were the first Club this season to take points away from old rivals, Crane Sports. The outcome, a 3-3 draw at Greshams, was watched by some 200 plus supporters from both clubs and had the referee been just a tad kinder a disallowed fourth on Achilles' part could well have taken all three points.

However, that performance appeared to set us up for the next match at Salmet Close against near neighbours, Capel Plough FC. Early play seemed to confirm that hope and twice Achilles were in the lead. Was it a "false dawn"? Capel, desperate for points as well, hit a "purple patch" and in little time at all they were 5-2 to the good. That gap was brought down once but our visitors fully deserved the final 5-3 margin and, to cap proceedings, one of their performers won the pub card as well!. Last Saturday involved the short trip literally "just down the road" to do battle with Bourne Vale Rangers. Early play and the wind favoured Achilles and we scored first. Sad to say, despite even play, just into the second period, our hosts had built up a 3-1 lead which we reduced to 3-2 and, had one of our lads not "talked himself into the book", the now 10 men conceded a fourth. Not the happiest of stories but everyone is working hard to improve matters and the recent signings are most welcome in the quest for "safety".

Meanwhile, due to Club withdrawals, the Reserves had only one match over the same period - East Bergholt's Reserves welcomed to Salmet Close last Saturday. Despite enjoying 80% of the first half play Achilles were 2-0 and, then, 2-1 down at the break but stern words did their trick and the final score of 3-2 to Achilles was fully deserved lifting the squad to a challenging position in the SIL "A" table.