After somewhat of an indifferent start to defending their Touchline Suffolk & Ipswich Senior League crown that they won spectacularly last season, Achilles boss Lee Osborn has issued a full-steam ahead message to his players.

Osborn’s men visit high-flying Wenhaston United tomorrow with one win, two draws, and a loss under their belts.

“We’ve started slowly,” admitted Osborn, who oversaw his side draw with Leiston St Margarets (1-1), lose to East Bergholt (2-1), and draw with Ipswich Valley Rangers (2-2) in their opening three fixtures, before securing that first win last weekend against Westerfield United (3-2).

“We had loads of chances against Leiston St Margarets but couldn’t take them, and that was the same sort of scenario at Bergholt,” explains Osborn.

“We’ve created plenty of chances in all the games, but only recently have we started to take them - hopefully now we can kick on and keep going because we have a very good squad.”

Last season’s SIL Senior top goalscorer Dean Tournay-Godfrey has joined forces at Achilles this season, alongside Ben Deacon, a familiar name in the Eastern Counties Leagues over the years, as well as Dale Hammond and Tom Deller - again, players who have played at a higher level.

Osborn thinks his side definitely have the minerals to win the league again, but is wary of the threat of others - particularly Felixstowe Harpers.

“I think whoever finishes above Harpers will win the league,” declared Osborn.

“I think we’ll be there or thereabouts certainly.”

Of tomorrow’s third-placed opponents, Osborn said: “It’ll be a tough one. As league champions, everyone wants your scalp and to beat you.”