Too dark to see

Saturday 9 December 2017, Felixstowe Harpers Utd 1 Achilles 6 - Suffolk & Ipswich, Trimley Sport & Social Club

2pm Kick off but it still meant the game finished in near darkness but that did not stop us witnessing a very professional performance by Ipswich based team, Achilles.

Felixstowe started the game as league leaders but Achilles were only just behind and had games in hand and a superior goal difference, not sure we will see the home team lead the table gain this season.

Achilles soon took charge and went ahead, Felixstowe and plenty of possession but never had a clear cut chance in the first half. Achilles went three p but disappointingly they still challenged any decision the ref gave. With almost the last chance of the half, Achilles got a 4th goal, a spectacular goal that may have started off as a cross!

We feared for Felixstowe in the second half but a combination of a better attitude from the home team and Achilles coasting meant the second half was more competitive. But Achilles still had the luxury of bringing on their best player as a sub late on in the game, he then found the net with the best goal of the game. Felixstowe did not let their heads drop and in the last minute gained a consolation, not that we could see who scored it as by then it was almost pitch dark.

Close to home

Saturday 15 April 2017, Achilles 3 Capel Plough 2 - Suffolk & Ipswich League, Senior Division - Paul's Sports and Social Club

After last weekend in Belgarde and a long drive on Friday for 2 games today I decided to stay local. Achilles are on the other side of Ipswich to me but their enthusiastic chairman lives in my street so I had promised to visit.

Paul's Sports club used to be a lot bigger but part of the site was sold for housing but sports facilities were kept and along with the football the site includes a bowls and tennis club. Add to that a large car park and a good clubhouse it is an excellent place to watch your Saturday afternoon football. Another advantage of just leaving one pitch on the site is that the ground has an enclosed feel to it. The social club is just a few feet from the goal line and the large trees on one side of the ground plus large buses behind the goal keeps the wind off the pitch and also gives some shade on a sunny day.

Achilles are currently second in the Suffolk & Ipswich League but may run out of games to try and catch the leaders but they do have 2 cup finals to look forward to, whilst their opponents Capel are fighting to stay in the league. I had watched Capel win a Senior Cup quarter final a few weeks ago but they then had gone on to lose to Achilles in the semi so they were not only seeking points to stay up but also to gain some revenge for their cup defeat,

Achilles have some quality players and they quickly took control of the game and their supremacy was rewarded with two goals but they could not add to the total and just before the break, Capel scored a great goal from a free kick and went in just one behind at half time.

The second half followed the same pattern of Achilles domination, they hit the bar, the post but had to wait to late on to add a third goal - that should have been it but Capel never gave up and on one of their limited visits to the Achilles half the home team keeper had a nightmare when dealing with a back pass and handed Capel a tap in for a second goal but Capel never looked like pushing on for an equaliser.

I was impressed with Achilles even if they made hard work of what should have been an easy win, the Capel number 9 also had a great game. Both sides attempted to play a passing game and it was a good game to watch. Very little for the ref to do and very little arguing or whinging from either team - may have been helped by the absence of the Capel player who was sent off in the cup quarter final from the match.

A crowd of 80 plus also indicated that Achilles have a good following and the bar was doing good business, but Capel may get smaller crowds but they are champions when it comes to cake and food at their clubhouse.