OMNICO CUP SOCCER: Achilles 3 Ipswich Athletic 4. The lines had to be cleared from pre-match snow but within 10 minutes the sun shone brightly leaving a very wet surface.

Omnico Cup Quarter-Final

Achilles 3 Ipswich Athletic 4

The lines had to be cleared from pre-match snow but within 10 minutes the sun shone brightly leaving a very wet surface.

Athletic looking much more confident than the home side were coping much better in the conditions and went ahead in the 24th minute when Ettie swept in a half volley from Smedley's corner.

Two minutes later Calver taking just two steps hit a curling free-kick from 35 yards into the top right-hand corner of the goal leaving keeper Carter helpless.

Vince hit the bar from a goalmouth scramble as Achilles started to show and Brame saw his long shot also come off the woodwork at the other end before Jacobs flicked in another corner from Smedley in the 33rd minute.

Achilles came to life towards the end of the half and Vince pulled a goal back in the 38th minute but the home side had to defend two corners and a free-kick from Athletic before the break.

Achilles came out for the second period in the more determined mood and Adrian Coote available from Woodbridge Town headed in their second goal on 55 minutes. Athletic then had to defend deeply. They survived a goalbound shot from Symonds that keeper Johns deflected wide of his foot and Smyth's header beat Johns but Ford headed clear of the line.

The balance swung the other way when Brame turned in a cross from Ford in the 80th minute and an exciting game ended when Barber chipped in over Johns to celebrate his 40th birthday with a splendid goal. But this was academic as there was only time for Athletic to restart the game before referee Mr Perkins blew the final whistle.