Rampant Achilles Into Last Four

Achilles had a strong home support but it was Kedington who started the brightest, and they would have been a goal up inside 3 minutes if it wasn't for the Achilles crossbar. This stroke of luck seemed to spring Achilles into life and they dominated the next 10 minutes forcing several corners and last ditch challenges with the Kedington defence at full stretch to keep them at bay.

However in the 14th minute Achilles deservedly took the lead; Micky Adams' right-wing corner was met by midfielder GAVIN PAUL who found the bottom corner with his glancing header. Just 2 minutes later the score was 2-0. Troy Paul was given far too much time to pick out ROSS WARDLEY at the back post, who had time to bring the ball under control and smash his half volley high into the roof of the net from close range.

Kedington would have been hoping to hit back immediately but they struggled to keep hold of the ball and were pinned back for long spells of the first half. Gavin Paul was a constant threat from set-pieces and should've scored his second in the 20th minute but was unable to keep his header down. On the half-hour mark, Adams' corner was helped on at the near post by Wardley and the ball rebounded off the helpless defender and into his own net to all but seal the match.

To their credit, the Kedington players were fighting for every ball but they failed to create even half chances, and on the stroke of half-time Achilles were 4-0 up: Gavin Paul drove through midfield and into the box, the ball broke kindly for Matt Starling whose powerful strike was superbly saved by Kedington 'keeper Paul Booty, but Achilles striker ROBERT BUCSYS was the first to react and stabbed home the rebound.

Half Time Score: Achilles 4 – 0 Kedington

Kedington needed an early goal to stand any chance of mounting a comeback but instead they were having to withstand wave after wave of Achilles' attacks. Gavin Paul was again guilty of missing a great chance when he headed wide from 6 yards under pressure. Wardley was a constant threat and in the 75th minute he beat his man with ease but firing across the 'keeper who watched helplessly as it slipped inches wide of the post.

Achilles scored their 5th in the 80th minute, substitute Perry Arthur showed great skill in beating two players before sliding in a beautifully weighted pass to BUCSYS who made no mistake with the finish. Just a minute later an Achilles counter-attack from Kedington's centre was finished off by BUCSYS who coolly rounded the advancing keeper before slotting home to complete his second consecutive Junior Cup hatrick.

Kedington striker Ben Fleming's late free kick forced a great save out of the Achilles 'keeper, but in truth the scoreline could have been a lot worse for the visitors.

Amazingly Achilles missed two late penalties. First Bucsys was scythed down but his resulting penalty was weak and easily saved. Just minutes later Perry Arthur skipped past Dave Spittle who sent the winger sprawling. Bucsys passed on the responsibility to Arthur but his penalty in front of the home support was just as poor but his team mates managed to see the funny side.

All in all, a comfortable victory for the Ipswich side who will hope to replicate this performance when they come up against Stanton in the Semi-Finals. On the other hand Kedington would have gone home disappointed but they continued to fight until the end and can be proud of their performances this season in the Junior Cup which saw them reach the Quarter-Finals.

Full Time Score: Achilles 6 – 0 Kedington 

Achilles Squad:
Marty Smith, Marc Ransome, Matty Starling, Brent Richards, Gavin Allen, Micky Adams, Gavin Paul, Jack Wilkinson, Darren Jones, Perry Arthur, Ross Wardley, Troy Paul, Lee Osborn, Robert Bucsys, Richard Carter & Adam Nuttall

Achilles Manager: Alan Middle