With the chairman and the football secretary away on family duties in Manchester last week-end these notes are necessarily shortened on this occasion - apologies to our avid followers, particularly those on the other side of the world.
First of all news is in of a fairly comfortable home win (5-2) for the Seniors against visitors, East Bergholt. Inevitably, Gavin Van Oene was on the score list with a brace, and Lee Grimwood (Malc's man of the match), "Scoop" McCarthy, and Danny Allen registered one each. The win saw the Seniors once again sharing the leadership of the SIL Senior League table with arch rivals, Crane Sports, successfully involved in SFA Senior Cup success against Needham Market Reserves.
The Inter As travelled for a reverse fixture over at East Bergholt and perhaps, surprisingly, surrendered all three points to a promising Bergholt second string. After going two goals down, led by stalwart, Matt McCarthy, the lads pulled back to 2-2 only for the referee indicating a perplexing throw-in decision leading directly to the homesters going straight to our end to secure the winner. There was little doubt that, with the two previous matches called off by our Inter A opponents, the lads were "rusty", to say the least!
This coming Saturday both squads are in the north of the County with the Seniors visiting Stanton for an important SIL Senior League match while the Inter As are at nearby Walsham le Willows for an SFA Senior Reserves Cup match against the homester's second string. Walsham, at Eastern Counties League level, have floodlights and, therefore, can host an hours later kick off than the Seniors' 2 pm commitment at Stanton. Perhaps some of us "touchline" watchers can contrive watching some of both matches?
Finally, a word of appreciation to Jamie King, Malc' Saunders, and Paul (Sparky) Sparke, for "filling in" for the manifold home duties last Saturday. Also a reminder to the two squads, in particular, that the Club seeks to "flog" every last Xmas Draw ticket ensuring a goodly sum into Achilles' coffers - prize donations also gratefully received.
A cry from the Achilles' heart first of all this week on behalf of Inter A manager, Reece Nunn, and his squad who for the second week running suffered from opponent late call-offs. This correspondent is avoiding naming the culprits, after all, there are probably genuine reasons for their problems but, to say the least, the lateness is "creasing" to everyone at Achilles and, of course, means extra work notifying everyone, not just the players, of another idle Saturday.
Enough of the self-pity - the Seniors were engaged in the Suffolk FA Senior Cup at Lowestoft against the holders of the trophy, Waveney FC. The history of this Club since its inception in 1978 is a story to admire with so many teams at all age levels, boys and girls, and, more recently, two adult male teams. The first of these two did the double last season by gaining promotion from the 1st to the Premier Division of the Anglian Combination and winning the Senior Cup at Portman Road last May by beating Haughley United 3-2.
Our coach first of all went to the wrong ground in Lowestoft, although it was the location for several of their junior teams but, eventually, and with time to spare, JR Travel got us to the well prepared Seniors' ground. The weather although cold was sunny and early exchanges were fairly even with our hosts apparently favouring the long ball approach, whether kicked or thrown, which against, dare I say, Achilles' more cultured approach provided a fascinating fast moving spectacle.
Achilles, after several near misses, took the lead after some 25 minutes when Josh Little, just back from a niggling leg injury was on hand to convert a well-place corner. Soon after, Liam Hillyard was brought down by Waveney's 'keeper when seeming likely to add number two and, sadly (for Waveney certainly), they were down to 10 men. Actually, Waveney's number two custodian was, if anything, superior to his colleague and saved several goal bound efforts before the break.
Clearly, the second period was likely to be difficult for our hosts but the relatively small pitch was helpful to them in this respect. As time wore on, however, our fire power up front started to tell and further goals from Gav' Van Oene and David Grimwood (the latter's a thumping header) saw us safely through to the quarter finals.
Overall, this was a fine team performance, with everyone, including two of the three subs, pitching in well, and we all look forward to, dare I say, the road to Portman Road at the end of the season. Mind you, there's the little matter of the SIL Senior League as well. Indeed, at this point, both squads are in second position in their respective Leagues and so, with more Cup matches as well to contend with, there is much to play for. Many thanks to those supporters who travelled in the coach to Lowestoft helping to defray the cost.
This coming Saturday both teams are scheduled to play East Bergholt with the Seniors the hosts at Salmet Close while the Inter As make the relatively short journey to the Suffolk/Essex border. Away from the park, the annual ritual of the Achilles' raffle ticket campaign is underway and the players, in particular, are asked to make certain that we achieve a 100% "sales ratio".