A successful week-end for both squads with the Seniors returning to winning ways, via a hard fought 2-1 success at close neighbours Capel, while the Reserves enjoyed a relatively easy SIL "A" Division 4-0 home win over the plucky Sporting 87 second string.
The Seniors' match was, to say the least, a tough affair and for a major porportion of the proceedings Achilles were down to 10 men after player-manager Andy Coote was invited to take an early bath; an invitation which, surely, should have been extended to one of our host's complement a few minutes earlier! Clearly this was a difficult, sometimes ill-tempered, match to control but it has to be said that some of the officials' decisions didn't help the proceedings. Enough said!
As it was, Achilles' travelling support, apart from the valuable three points, had to be content with both our goals - extraordinarily fine efforts by Andy and Ivan Buxton - and an impressive rearguard display for much of the proceedings enabling us to maintain the fight for SIL Senior Division supremacy.
Meanwhile the Reserves, missing a few regulars resting in readiness for the Travel Cup semi-final, built up a formidable three goal lead by the half-time break and a fourth just after the break sealed the three points and maintained the late challenge for top spot in the table. Marksmen were Ben Taylor and Matt McCarthy two each.
This Saturday the Seniors are on the road again, this time at lowly Wenhaston, while the Reserves entertain Framlingham Town Reserves in the semi-final of the SIL Travel Plus Cup. Finally, for later in that day, another reminder of Committee man, Simon Revell's Race Night in the Pauls Club with the first race scheduled for 7 30 pm. Refreshments by Tina Taylor.
Despite the alternative competition of the ITFC match at Portman Road, there was a substantial gathering at Salmet Close for the "top of the SIL Senior League table" clash between hosts Achilles and visitors, Henley FC.
A significant meeting was promised in that the successful progress of both Clubs this season meant that, in addition to this League meeting, there was the outstanding abandoned match at the "country retreat" still to be played, the possibility of a Suffolk FA Senior Cup semi-final draw between the two Clubs (since confirmed for 7 45pm on Friday 5th April at Felixstowe & Walton FC), and, indeed, a further "get together" in the next round of the SIL Bob Coleman Cup! Certainly enough to keep the blood racing!
From Achilles' point of view Saturday's meeting turned out to be a rather "sour grape" of an affair (to be fair, Achilles' fault, not our talented visitors') and, despite a frantic, if attractive, first half finishing goalless, Henley seemed to be better prepared for the match and so it turned out to be with our visitors scoring three times (final score 0-3) to bite into our "fewer matches played" advantage and to liven the after- match socialising in the Pauls' Bar afterwards.
In addition, it shouldn't escape our attention that other close competitors for this season's Senior League title (which we hold, of course) , Crane Sports, Bourne Vale Utd, and others are "nibbling" away at us but this contributor has every confidence in manager, Andy Coote, and his colleagues, to restore that "fight" (in the nicest meaning of the term) in and to the squad.
One "happy note" is the "£" return achieved by the Chairman's collection box normally circulated soon after the half-time break - a welcome defrayment to the necessary costs in operating a Senior football club. Many thanks to all those generous supporters/spectators out there!
Meanwhile, the Reserves made the short journey to Bramford seeking to improve their impressive table position. With due respect to our hosts, their lowly position in the "A" League table might have suggested a relatively easy three points for Achilles but half-time came with our hosts three goals to the good and managers, Crick and Wyatt "disgusted" with the proceedings. However, the half-time talk must have been brutal, if successful, in that the final result was 5-4 to Achilles with Ben Taylor, reverting to an upfront position, scoring three and Matt McCarthy and Ash Reilly, completing the tally!
This coming Saturday the Seniors make the short journey to Capel while the Reserves host Sporting 87 from Bury St Edmunds with both teams seeking to secure all three points for different reasons. Finally, a further reminder that Committee man, Simon Revell, is close to completing the necessary arrangements for the Race Night in the Pauls' clubhouse on the 2nd March - first race 7 30 pm. See you there?