Not the happiest of week-ends for Achilles with the Seniors dropping two home points against Haughley United, albeit in a sparkling match, while the Inter As were beaten 3-2 after extra time down the road by near neighbours Ipswich Athletic in the SIL Goals in Ipswich Cup (a trophy Achilles currently hold under previous sponsors, Gipping Press).
As mentioned, the home game was quite a treat for a goodly crowd, considering the home ITFC game not far away. The facts are quite simple - we enjoyed the balance of play in the first half but despite several efforts at goal the only mark-up was a confidently taken penalty by top marksman, Liam Hillyard. The early and middle stages of the second period saw Haughley in command although there was little bother on the home goal until a well placed free-kick was headed home for the equaliser. We came back into the game in the later period and there were several scares for our visitors who, nevertheless, held on for a deserved point.
Meanwhile, down the road at Bourne Vale, the Inter As were hit by three or four (genuine) call-offs against their Inter B opponents but this no excuse for the less than top form display and, truth to tell, Achilles were always on the back foot although matters, perhaps, looked brighter when a likely 2-1 reverse was overcome for the match to go into extra time. Alas, this made little difference, and the homesters made it 3-2 to go deservedly into the next round.
Next Saturday (23rd) the Seniors are in League action away at Wenhaston and the following Saturday (30th) are away at Felixstowe Harpers United in the next round of the SIL Bob Coleman League Cup. At home (on the 23rd) the Inter As have a chance to redeem themselves when the visitors are the Reserves of Eastern Counties League table-toppers, Felixsowe & Walton Utd., in the quarter final of the SFA Senior Reserves Cup. The following Saturday (30th) East Bergholt Inter As will be our visitors.
All change this week with happy faces at Salmet Close, after the twin disappointments for Achilles the previous Saturday, when both teams down at Felixstowe triumphed by the identical margin of 6-0 against the Felixstowe Harpers United's squads to put a smile back on the countenances of all four managers and those brave supporters who braved the elements near the coast.
The Seniors, with a 'keeper problem after the rejuvenated Jason Bones sadly reported "back problems", saw manager, Luke Hillyard, swiftly in action to sign his 'keeper, Shaun Chaplin, from the triple successes of last season to fill the considerable gap. By all accounts the gale force wind on the open spaces of the (former) Dockers' Club at Trimley did not contribute to the better aspects of soccer for the Seniors' match. However, the superior finishing abilities of Gavin Van Oene (3), inevitably, Liam Hillyard, Andy Coote, and Lee Grimwood, saw Achilles home to maintain their SIL Senior League challenge. A special note for Gavin whose hattrick well and truly confirmed his undoubted abilities.
Meanwhile, along the way at Walton Recreation Park, the Inter As were always in command against a plucky home squad with three goals registered in each half to bring home the points and consolidate their commanding position at the top of the Inter A table. Marksmen were, Dean McEwan (2), inevitably "Scoop" McCarthy (2), and Jack Middle (2), the latter against his former Club.
Unfortunately, for the Seniors, captain Chris Leys will be missing at Leiston next Saturday, having built up 5 "yellows" while Jack must now miss 3 games with the Inter As after his "red" at Old Newton the previous Saturday.
Away from the park, as they say, a reminder to all players that any outstanding Pauls' membership/training subs must be paid asap, together with any outstanding SFA fines and, of course, Xmas Draw counterfoils have now been circulated and a 100% return would be "just the job".
As touched upon above this coming Saturday the Seniors are away again, this time at Leiston St Margaret's, while the Inter As are at home against Stonham Aspel Inter Bs in the 1st round of the Goals Cup (in its previous form a trophy won by Achilles last season).