Loanends 0 AFC TPS 4

And so we begin.....

...with a super result in this first outing of the season for AFC TPS , against a determined and well organised Loanends team. As usual we displayed the battling spirit that is now common for AFC TPS, but this season it looks like we will be bringing a little more flair to our games.

Loanends started well and we were pleased to come in at half time with a 1-0 lead, when captain Daniel finished off a neat passing move involving Harry and Johnston. Jake came on for his debut in the second half and made an absolute nuisance of himself, taking on players and beating them regularly. A superb long range effort from Daniel gave us a 2-0 lead before Harry finally took off his skates and put his football boots on. After this he added a third with another excellent long range effort and tapped in for the fourth on the final whistle.

All in all, this was a super team effort which also saw Adam, Johnston, Dylan C and Ollie make their first appearances for the team. Both teams enjoyed the game in the fine autumn sunshine. While we can only hope for more of the same weather, we expect to see more of the same football!

Man of the match for frightening the life out of the Loanends defence, and showing that there is going to be fierce competition for places this season goes to Jake.

Well done Jake and well done everybody!

Here's the stats......

Ballyclare & District Principals' Association 7 a side Football League
P1 W1 D0 L0 F4 A 0 Pts 3

Goalscorers
Daniel 2
Harry 2

Player of the match
Jake 1

Onwards and upwards!

Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Ahem.......

clicky!

2009/10

Season 2009/10 is now well under way, with the last two Monday and Friday afternoons taken up with some great sessions.

Things are looking good, with lots of new players forcing their way into consideration for a place in the first squad of the year - hopefully for a match next Friday. All matches, like last season, will have to be away from home, but this hardly matters as we won the league last year without a single match at home!

Whenever the first squad is announced, it is up to the players in it to play for their place in the next squad, and it is up to those omitted from the squad to keeping working hard at training to force their way into the squad. The squad will NEVER be closed and places will always be up for grabs.

I forgot to announce after the practice match today, but the player of the week this time, after Adam A won the honour in the first match, was Johnston. Well done Johnston and well done everybody.

The Antrim Area 11 a side league trophy is sitting in pride of place in our nice new shiny trophy cabinet. I hope we'll need a new cabinet at the end of the season after we win EVERYTHING!

Onwards and upwards!

Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

CHAMPIONS!

AFC TPS are the champions of the Antrim Area Primary Schools League for season 2008/9.

Congratulations to all the players and a huge thank you to all the parents for all the support this season. There are still plenty more trophies to play for so keep at it all of you!

I'm sure you all enjoyed the trip down to the Hilton Hotel where Northern Ireland internationals David Healy and Gareth McAuley surprised us by presenting us with our trophy and medals. We even got onto BBC Newsline for a few seconds! I'm so sorry for not letting you know earlier - I knew last week but was trying to sort out a wee surprise!

A huge thank you to David and Gareth and also to Mr Robinson who arranged the visit for us.

Enjoy the pics! (and send me more!)

Your comments on this post are welcome. COME ON!

Onwards and upwards

Mr Alcorn

director of football

AFC TPS

Hilton trip

The squad have been invited to the Hilton Hotel on Tuesday 31st March to meet some of the Northern Ireland players who are staying there at the moment.

We will leave school at 2.30pm and need to leave the hotel by 3.30pm as there is a press conference at that time.

Players should travel in full school kit (apart from boots obviously) and are welcome to bring cameras and stuff to get signed.

AFC TPS players' parents are also welcome to come along.

A big thank you to former NI international Stephen Robinson for arranging this visit for our team. It might even secure Harry a wee run out for the team next year!

onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

St. Joseph's (Antrim) 1 AFC TPS 4

St. Joseph's (Antrim) 1 AFC TPS 4
(Graeme 2, Gerard, Michael)

And so the 11 a side league season is wrapped up with another win. Now the waiting begins to see if 6 wins out of 7 will be enough to give us the league title, after three years in succession of being runners up!

The match got off to the worst possible start for AFC TPS as they conceded within the first minute to a quick break and a smart finish from St. Joseph's.

AFC TPS had experience of being in this position earlier in the season after turning a half time 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory. This, along with the knowledge that nothing less than a win would do was enough to spur our team on and the equaliser came quickly after a super finish back acoss the goalkeeper from Graeme. Gerard and Michael then began to show their class with some excellent tackles, passes and runs, resulting in Gerard giving us the lead shortly before half time. There was time for Michael to add another before the break, as he curled a corner directly in for a 3-1 lead.

AFC TPS came out for the second half hoping to add to their goal difference and Luke and Daniel were unfortunate with several efforts throughout the half. In fact we only added 1 more goal, Graeme slotting home from a narrow angle near the end. Dean pulled off two superb saves to stop St. Joseph's getting back into the game and the match ended with a 4-1 win.

This gives AFC TPS a total of 18 points out of a possible 21, and we now rely on Antrim Primary School's results. As they were the only team to beat us, they are the only team who can finish above us. They have had one draw so far, winning all their other matches. They will be in for some tough games, as we have had to battle for many of the points we have gained, so all we can do is wait and hope!

I will post as soon as I have any further news!

Player of the match for this game is tough to call again - not quite as many outstanding performances as recently. Philip and Andrew were solid and disciplined in defence, Graeme revelled in his new midfield role, Gerard and Michael again contributed all over the pitch and both scored important goals, Luke made quite an impression when he came on at half time and the rest of the squad all played their part too. In the end, the award goes to Dean for those two saves that were quite astonishing and utterly vital.

Here's the stats ...

11 a side league
P7 W6 D0 L1 F32 A8 pts 18 GD +24

11 a side friendlies
P2 W1 D0 L1 F6 A6 pts 3

7 a side friendlies
P2 W1 D1 L0 F4 A2 pts 4

5 a side tournaments
P5 W3 D0 L2 F17 A6 Pts 9

overall
P16 W11 D1 L4 F59 A22 pts 34

goal scorers
Daniel 15
Michael 13
Gerard 11
Adam 6
Philip 6
Johnny 3
Graeme 2
Luke S 2
Ross 1

player of the match
Gerard 5
Michael 3
Dean 2
Philip 2
Andrew 1
Johnny 1
Luke B 1
Daniel 1
Adam 1

Onwards and upwards

Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Gresytone 0 AFC TPS 9

Greystone 0 AFC TPS 9
(Gerard 2, Michael 2, Daniel 4, Johnny)

Another super win for AFC TPS today, matching our record 11 a side win from earlier this season, and also featuring our goal of the season - so far - from Michael.

After a slow start as some players got used to unfamiliar positions, Gerard got his team going with a super goal from outside the penalty area, before providing the corner from which Michael netted the goal of the season - so far! His corner seemed to overhit as it passed over the 6 yard box and out to the corner of the 18 yard area. But it all made sense as Michael allowed the ball to bounce once before unleashing an unstoppable volley across goal and in off the far post. Did I mention that it was goal of the season - so far?

AFC TPS came in at half time 2 nil up but confident that there was more to come once they started to play more as a team. This proved to be the case as the goals flowed throughout the second half with Michael and Gerard both scoring again and Daniel notching up four more goals. Johnny got in on the act as well with a powerful downward header from a Gerard cross. The defence of Philip, Andrew, Scott, Luke, Peter and Graeme kept their concentration up throughout the game and together with Dean in nets did their bit to ensure a clean sheet while both Adam and Ross continued to work hard up front.

Player of the match is a tough one, as despite the scoreline the team didn't quite play as well as they had in the previous match. I'm going to give today to someone who has improved their whole game - their tackling, passing, heading and their fitness - as the season has gone on. Congratulations to Johnny.

Here's the stats ...

11 a side league
P6 W5 D0 L1 F28 A7 pts 115

11 a side friendlies
P2 W1 D0 L1 F6 A6 pts 3

7 a side friendlies
P2 W1 D1 L0 F4 A2 pts 4

5 a side tournaments
P5 W3 D0 L2 F17 A6 Pts 9

overall
P15 W10 D1 L4 F55 A21 pts 31

goal scorers
Daniel 15
Michael 12
Gerard 10
Adam 6
Philip 6
Johnny 3
Luke S 2
Ross 1

player of the match
Gerard 5
Michael 3
Philip 2
Andrew 1
Johnny 1
Luke B 1
Dean 1
Daniel 1
Adam 1

Onwards and upwards

Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS