Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all the players, staff and parents connected with AFC TPS.

Please use this post to add your Christmas wishes to each other.

My wish (other than a fortnight's sleep) is for us to learn from the very few mistakes we have made on the pitch this year, and go through 2008 undefeated.

I really do think this is possible because this is a great team this season. We can frighten other teams to death with our attacking, we just need to communicate better and to tighten up in defence.

There can be miracles, if you BELIEVE! (to quote thingy who won the X Factor)

I have nearly recovered from the Ballyclare 2-3 defeat and will post a match report and stats soon.

Merry Christmas!

Onward and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Ballyclare PS v AFC TPS

Our first match of the Ballyclare & District 7 a side league takes place this Friday (the 14th) away to Ballyclare Primary.

The squad will be announced on Wednesday. This match is worth SIX points as it has been agreed that it counts as the away and home match.

The match kicks off at 3.10pm at the pitch just beside Dixon Park (Ballyclare Comrades' ground) in Ballyclare.

Good to see some of you posting on the blog, get everyone else to join in! Remember to leave your name with any comments though!

Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Season's Stats (5)

Antrim Area 11 a side league
P2 W1 D1 L0 F7 A4 Pts 4

Friendlies
P3 W2 D0 L1 F9 A 3 Pts 6

Overall
P5 W3 D1 L1 F16 A 7 Pts 10

Scorers
Daniel D : 5
Michael : 4
Adam M : 3
Gerard : 3
Adam I : 1

Player of the match
Brook 1
Daniel D : 1
Jordan : 1
Michael : 1
Philip : 1

Fairview 1 AFC TPS 3

A superb win for our P6 & P5 team against Fairview, in arctic conditions in Ballyclare. Goals from Michael, captain Gerard and debut boy Adam gave us revenge for a last minute defeat to Fairview earlier in the season.

Man of the match, for a none-shall-pass performance, and definitely securing a place back in the heart of the senior team's defence was Philip. I am sure top scorer Daniel is looking forward to another match against Fairview, as they remain the only team he has not scored against this season!

That's all I'm writing for a match report this time, I want you to send me the rest of it! You can do so by sending a comment or emailing me at the address on the school newsletter and website.

click here : TPS ONLINE

Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

From Andrew :
Yesterday was a great result. I thought we all played well but especially Philip because of his super defending skills and keeping us organised in defence.

Well done Philip!

We're not Brazil we're Templepatrick!

Andrew.

Fairview v AFCTPS

GAME ON! (as of 12.50pm on Friday)

Leaving school at 3pm, or before if we can! Aiming to kick off at 3.15 at the 6 Mile Leisure Centre. NOT AT FAIRVIEW!

Onwards and upwards

Mr Alcorn

director of football

AFC TPS

Fairview v AFC TPS

An AFC TPS team of Year 6 and Year 5 pupils will take on a similar team from Fairview PS this Friday at the upper pitch at the 6 Mile Leisure Centre, kicking of as soon after 3pm as we can get there.

If you are travelling to this game, go past the first turn for Ballyclare (just after the petrol station), and take the next on your left. A very sharp left! This should help you avoid the traffic in Ballyclare as everyone attempts to park inside the shops to buy milk and bread.

The squad for this game will be announced on Tuesday in school. Please make sure you return your permission slip.

Current squad players have now been allowed to keep their kit for the season, but as this match only involves P5 and P6 ALL kits should be returned for this one off match.

Please leave a comment on the board so I know I have set it up right! I don't think you have to register, so you can post anonymously, but you MUST include your name as part of your post or I will be unable to use it. Thanks!

Onwards and upwards!
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Season's stats (4)

Antrim Area 11 a side league
P2 W1 D1 L0 F7 A4 Pts 4


Friendlies
P2 W1 D0 L1 F6 A 2 Pts 3


Overall
P4 W2 D1 L1 F13 A 6 Pts 7


Scorers
Daniel D : 5
Adam : 3
Michael : 3
Gerard : 2


Player of the match
Brook 1
Daniel D : 1
Jordan : 1
Michael : 1

Crumlin PS 2 AFC TPS 5

AFC TPS started this, their second Antrim Area League match of the season playing down the slope in the first half. With this advantage, it was vital to get off to a good start. TPS retained possession for most of the half, but despite countless corners and chances in the box, went into half time with a 1-0 lead, thanks to a cool finish from 15 yards from Michael.

The second half got under way and almost immediately Crumlin drew level with their first serious attack of the day, heading home via a deflection from a well executed corner kick.

TPS continued to have the majority of possession, and regained the lead as captain Adam fired home from close range after good work from Gerard and Brook. Crumlin came straight back with a second equaliser as they blasted the ball home after being allowed far too much time to pick their spot. The game was turning into a real battle, as both teams were urged on by their supporters.

Brook continued to be a threat and his dangerous crosses from the right wing led to a well deserved goal from Daniel D. Daniel quickly followed up with his second and his team's fourth as TPS really began to take charge. Brook then sent over another teasing cross which Michael expertly headed home at the near post as TPS ran out 5-2 winners.

Daniel took the player of the match award for continuing his goalscoring run, but more importantly for remaining alert throughout the match, making half chances into proper chances, and proper chances into goals!

So 4 points from 2 games along with some great goals, but a bit of work for the defence to do to nail down their places for the next game. Players must be closed down more quickly and the whole team must start to communicate more forcefully out on the pitch. Sort these few small details out, and there could be a lot to look forward to this season with AFC TPS!

Onwards and upwards,

Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

AFC TPS v Crumlin

Our second Antrim Area 11 a side league match takes place on Tuesday 27th November, at Crumlin Primary School, kicking off at 3.20pm (ish).

Please make sure you have your kit, as you are now allowed to keep it for the whole season.

Supporters welcome as always, but we need you from THE FIRST WHISTLE!

Onwards and upwards,

Mr Alcorn

director of football

AFC TPS

Season's stats (3)

Antrim Area 11 a side league
P1 W0 D1 L0 F2 A2 Pts 1

Friendlies
P2 W1 D0 L1 F6 A 2 Pts 3

Overall
P3 W1 D1 L1 F8 A 4 Pts 4

Scorers
Daniel D : 3
Adam : 2
Gerard : 2
Michael : 1

Player of the match
Brook 1
Jordan : 1
Michael : 1

Greystone v AFC TPS

AFC TPS got their league campaign under way this afternoon with a well earned point away to Greystone Primary.

Latest league tables here : clicky

In conditions similar to those at the recent senior Green and White Army v Denmark match, TPS got off to the brighter start, having most of the possession in the early exchanges. While chances were few and far between for both teams Greystone showed the importance of making a chance count when it comes as they swept into a two goal lead inside 10 minutes.

TPS were shell shocked but they continued to play the better football and were justly rewarded as Daniel volleyed home early in the second half after excellent work from Brook, Gerard and Johnny. TPS then pressed for the equaliser with Michael being a constant threat on the right wing. Brook's claims for a penalty were waved away, but there was no doubt when Johnny was brought down in the box after another surging run down the left. Gerard - the calmest player on the pitch - stepped up and placed his penalty to the keeper's right. The travelling supporters watched in agony as the keeper got a hand to it and deflected it onto the bar. There followed an eruption of cheers from the sideline as the ball bounced down and over the line for the equaliser.

TPS kept the pressure up as they chased an unlikely winner with man of the match Brook continuing to threaten, but the final whistle sounded to give both teams their first point of the season.

A lot can be learned from this experience : the importance of being totally focussed on each game even before the first whistle, and the fact that a game is not over until it's over! The league title remains in our own hands, win every game and it's ours.

There again, it's not about winning.............. (post your comment below!)

Onwards and upwards!

Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Video Jug coaching tips

First in an occasional series :

Shooting on the move

Now, go practise it!

Onwards and upwards.

Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Greystone v AFC TPS

Our first league match of the season will take place at Greystone Primary School in Antrim, kicking off at 3.20pm on Tuesday 20th November.

The squad has been announced in school, now all we need is the three points.

Oh, and some help with transport.

All supporters more than welcome. The louder and slightly manic-er the better!

Onwards and upwards.

Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Season's stats (2)

Friendlies
P2 W1 D0 L1 F6 A 2 Pts 3

Scorers
Adam : 2
Daniel D : 2
Gerard : 1
Michael : 1


Player of the match
Jordan : 1
Michael : 1

Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football

7 a side practice match STILL ON. WET BUT SAFE!

Having remembered that there is also a 7 a side league to be won this season, there will be a 7 a side practice match on Friday 26th October, kicking off at 3.05pm, with pick up at 3.45pm.

Sorry for the short notice. Those involved should already have received a note in school.

Have a super half term y'all. (sorry the LA Galaxy lookalike badge is really getting to me)

Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

AFC TPS 1 Fairview 2

This was a very different game from last week, and a much tougher test for the players hoping to make their way onto the team for league games.

Despite going 1 nil down to an unluckily deflected free kick, Templepatrick made chances throughout this game. They were rewarded with a super equaliser from captain Adam, who hammered the ball home (see photo) after some excellent work from Gerard and Brook.

Templepatrick went in search of the winner, but were caught out in the final moments when Fairview broke quickly down the right before firing in an excelllent cross which was expertly finished at the far post, to give them a 2-1 victory.

Hopefully the team have learnt an important lesson early this season. If they can keep up their positive attacking football, and add just a little more aggression - as shown by player of the match Jordan - in all areas of the pitch, they will not experience defeat too many more times - if at all - this year.

Onwards and upwards

Mr Alcorn
director of football

game v Fairview

Today's game at home v Fairview is ON! Kick off at 3.20ish, depending on traffic in Ballyclare.

Please come along and support the team.

And maybe even offer to referee if you feel like it!

Season's stats (1)

Friendlies
P1 W1 D0 L0 F5 A 0 Pts 3

Scorers
Daniel D : 2
Adam : 1
Gerard : 1
Michael : 1

Player of the match
Michael : 1

Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football

Opening win v Ballyclare

Following a series of Friday afternoon trials, the team of 2007/8 began their season with a fine 5-0 win in an 11 a side friendly against Ballyclare Primary.

Looking the part in their brand new green and white kit, kindly provided by Vogue Fashions, it was fitting that the first goal of the season came with a fine finish from the sponsors' son, Gerard. Adam added to this before half time with a clinical poacher's goal. The second half followed the same pattern, with Templepatrick dominating and adding to their tally through two goals from the sponsors' younger son Daniel and a super strike (see photo) from man of the match Michael.

A great start to the season!

Onwards and upwards!
Mr Alcorn
director of football