LOCAL SOCCER: There has been plenty of rivalry in the Childs household this week."But it will all end with a friendly pint or two after the game," said Achilles central defender and former player manager Trevor today.

By Elvin King

LOCAL SOCCER

THERE has been plenty of rivalry in the Childs household this week.

"But it will all end with a friendly pint or two after the game," said Achilles central defender and former player manager Trevor today.

Achilles travel to meet a Bramford United side in the Senior Division of the Metaltec SIL. They have Trevor's father Mick as their chairman.

"Dad has been giving me plenty of stick this week and taunting me. He has wanted to know if I am ready for a beating and been generally making a song and dance about the fixture.

"There is a lot at stake as it is a wrong end of the table battle and Bramford will go above us if they win."

There is a big link between both clubs, with Bramford bosses Glen Parker and Ian Crick former

managers of the Achilles second and first teams respectively, while Bramford players Andy Brown, Dodi Lawrence, Vinnie Grimsey and Lee Brill are all former players at Stone Lodge Lane.

"There will be as lot of pride at stake, not just between dad and me," added Childs. "Both clubs had good results in the Suffolk Senior Cup last Saturday – and this could be a dress rehearsal for the semi-final.

"We have both kept clear of the big boys in the quarter-final draw and are both in good heart."

Achilles play Stanton and Bramford meet Stowmarket Reserves in the Senior Cup last eight.

Achilles' three-match unbeaten run has coincided with Keith Norton linking up with Ricky Osborn to run the team. Osborn, who has run Achilles youth sides, is father of Ipswich Wanderers player Lee.

Norton took over from Childs as manager last season, but stepped down a few weeks ago. "Keith

decided to step back as he felt he was hitting a brick wall. He said that he was not receiving the commitment he required," said Childs.

"Striker Richie Barber took over the reins, but like me he found it could be asking too much. When you are thinking about the best way to deal with a long ball upfield, the last thing you want is a shout from the touchline about which substitute to bring on.

"Richie was leaving the field with a bit of a headache. Ricky is a respected figure at Achilles, and he persuaded Keith to return in partnership.

"Hopefully we can continue our run and I will be the member of the Childs family with the biggest grin."

Childs has played half a dozen midweek matches for Felixstowe and Walton United in the First Division of the Jewson League, but his priorities are with Achilles.

The big game in the SIL features leaders Ipswich Athletic against second-placed Walsham-le-Willows. The village club – senior club of the month for October – thrashed Athletic 8-1 in the Senior Cup last Saturday and they know that a win will put them back on top of the table.

It will pay them to be careful, as a wounded Athletic could be dangerous seeking to regain their pride.

Third-placed East Bergholt are at home to Stonham Aspal, with Grundisburgh favourites to win a local derby at a Woodbridge Athletic side that has fallen away dramatically since leading the Senior Division table early in the season.