ACHILLES Assistant Manager Andy Coote had no complaints after seeing his side bow out of the CNet Training Suffolk Senior Cup at the semi-final stage.

The Touchline SIL Senior Division leaders lost 3-1 to higher-league Woodbridge Town at the Goldstar Ground, home of Felixstowe & Walton United, on Wednesday evening.

Achilles deservedly led at the interval through Liam Hillyard’s well-taken 40th minute goal, but their Thurlow Nunn League Division One opponents, who clinched promotion to the Premier Division at the weekend, fought back in the second-half. Hillard is pictured scoring above. Photograph courtesy of Paul Voller.

Six minutes after Gavin Van Oene came close to doubling Achilles’ advantage, Dale Hammond levelled and then Ryan Keeble and Callum Sinclair struck in the final 17 minutes.

Achilles, who defeated fellow Ipswich side Crane Sports 2-1 in last season’s final, were unable to respond as Woodbridge booked their place in this season’s showpiece occasion at Portman Road.

Coote, who played at centre back on Wednesday, said: “I was disappointed in the performance and the way it finished. We were on top in the first-half and for the first 15 minutes of the second-half.

“If Gavin Van Oene’s shot had gone in it could have been a different story as it would have given us the momentum.

“Instead they equalised soon after and the second goal killed us. We matched them for an hour, but in the final half-hour they just about deserved it and on their second-half performance it was a fair result.”

Achilles will now look to wrap up the SIL Senior Division title on Saturday when the travel to Haughley United. The Salmet Close side, who have a plus 28 goal difference over second-placed Cranes, effectively need one more win.

Coote continued: “We are very proud of the boys, who give us everything each week.

“Our aim at the start of the season was to win the league and retaining the Suffolk Senior Cup would have been a bonus. We have had some tough matches to reach the semi-final, beating Framlingham and winning away to Waveney.

“We still have the league to play for, and it would be nice to win it before the end of the season and take the pressure off.”