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.
A successful week-end for Achilles with the Seniors, down to 10 men, holding on to take all three points (3-2) against resolute, even tough, Leiston St Margarets hosts, while the Reserves at Salmet Close, against old rivals, Trimley Red Devils, coming from 1-0 down at the break to score no less than five in the second period to take the match 5-1.
The Seniors found Leiston not quite the "easy ride" of recent seasons and, in what turned out to be a narrow triumph, all three points were secured notwithstanding the problems of a reduction in numbers, a twice taken penalty against them which, to say the least, was rather harsh, a "yellow" to accompany the "red", and rumbustious treatment handed out to Danny Garrod who, to his eternal credit, rode it all to secure a well deserved hatrick.
Meanwhile, at a sunlit Salmet Close, with the raucus sounds of a capacity crowd at the rugby tournament ringing out over the fence at St Joseph's College, a strong Achilles' Reserves squad always looked the more likely of the two teams to take all three points. However, it was Trimley RDs who took the lead in a most attractive first 45 minutes almost on the half time whistle. The full complement of home managers (Messrs Crick, Grimwood, and Wyatt) then put their heads together and subtle forward changes led to fine efforts from Andy Coote, Adam Sturman, and Lee Grimwood (3) to the delight of the terrace supporters.
The evening in the Pauls' clubhouse was the only, small, blot on a largely happy day when the Quiz Night, so well organised by Committee member, Simon Revell, was well down on the attendance expected. Everyone connected with Achilles must appreciate that such events are designed, not least, to defray necessary expenditure and, of course, the combined enjoyment which, nevertheless, was experienced by those present - particularly the Chairman!
This coming Saturday Benhall St Mary will be welcomed to Salmet Close for an SIL Morrison Freight League Cup League match with a 2 00 pm ko. As far as we can see the Reserves have no match.