SOCCER: East Bergholt United 2 Achilles 3. East Bergholt lost their 100% record for 2002 in a game affected by the strong wing blowing down the length of a sticky pitch.

East Bergholt United 2 Achilles 3

East Bergholt lost their 100% record for 2002 in a game affected by the strong wing blowing down the length of a sticky pitch. Achilles played with the elements in their favour in the first half and although Coles had the first chance for the home side the visitors controlled the play. They took the lead on fifteen minutes when the effervescent Coote played in Symonds who slotted in from ten yards.

Coote then tried his luck from fully thirty yards only to see his shot drop just wide of the post. Soon after he was on target when Andrews flapped at a cross and Coote blasted home from inside the penalty area. Achilles continued to dominate with Grimwood at the centre of most of their good play and he went close on thirty five minutes, his shot grazing the top of the bar. Barber and Reeder then both had chances as Achilles finished the half on top.

The second period started with Bergholt dominating and Gedny had a good chance but blazed high and wide before Howell pulled one back from a tight angle after he had charged down a clearance. Attacking the worst part of the pitch Bergholt continued in the ascendancy with Coles and Gedny both having chances to equalise. On sixty minutes they combined well with Gedny releasing Coles to drive the equaliser into the bottom corner of Carter's net.

Achilles were having trouble clearing their area at this stage but for some reason the home side took their foot off the pedal and Achilles came back well. Grimwood got down the right wing and from his cross Andrews palmed the ball onto Barber's head and he made no mistake from six yards. The visitors then had strong appeals for a penalty when a Vince shot hit Jorgensen's arm before Symonds had a goal bound shot blocked by Howell. In the final minutes Bergholt failed to press Achilles back into their own penalty area and apart from Peake denying Coles with a good tackle didn't look like scoring another equaliser.

Realistically the only league target left to both clubs is a top four finish and on the strength of this match it looks like Achilles have the better chance of achieving that goal.