AFC TPS 1 Straid 0

On a blustery day, to say the least, AFC TPS showed true determination to battle their way to this 1-0 victory. With captain Michael winning the toss and electing to play with the wind, it was hoped that AFC TPS would take a lead into half time. This did not prove to be the case, as Straid were a match in every part of the field, and so half time came with no score, despite numerous chances for both sides.

AFC TPS knew they would be up against it in the second half when Straid would have the advantage of the increasingly strong wind. So it proved as most of the second period was played in the AFC TPS half. Michael and Gerard continued their superb form of the season, and adapted to suit the conditions. When they got the ball, they knew to keep it down and run with it, as long balls were getting held up in the wind, and passes were getting stuck in the mud. Straid had several corners and caused intense pressure round the AFC TPS goal, but the defence stood firm with Daniel J pulling off some great saves and the defence mopping up any loose balls. After one Straid corner AFC TPS broke quickly with the ball finally reaching Daniel D. His low cross may have been going in, but Brook made absolutely sure by hammering the ball home to give his side the lead.

Straid continued to press and had further attempts on goal in the closing minutes, but AFC TPS managed to keep them out until the final whistle to claim a vital three points.

It was, in the end, another hard won victory for AFC TPS. The most pleasing part of today's match was that we finally kept a clean sheet in a competitive match! Long may it continue!

Player of the match today, for his vital match winning goal after coming on at half time was Brook. But the whole squad deserve another pat on the back for two gutsy displays in two days. These have been two tough, physical encounters and we have emerged with 6 points and only two goals conceded.

Don't forget Monday's match at home to the Thompson Primary School. Players who did not start today, will start on Monday.

Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Season's stats (11)

We MAY have been awarded the points after the late cancellation of the Parkhall game. If the season is extended, the board of AFC TPS has decided that this game WILL be rearranged, at which point we will be awarded the points anyway, because we will win them! The stats below do NOT include the Parkhall game.

Antrim Area 11 a side league
P3 W2 D1 L0 F12 A6 Pts 7

Antrim Area 5 a side tournament
P4 W2 D0 L2 F11 A 8 Pts 6

Ballyclare & District 7 a side league
P4 W3 D0 L1 F27 A 10 Pts 9

Friendlies
P3 W2 D0 L1 F9 A 3 Pts 6

Overall
P14 W9 D1 L4 F59 A 27 Pts 28

Scorers
Daniel D : 20
Michael : 15
Adam M : 9
Gerard : 8
Brook : 5
Adam I : 1
Jordan : 1

Player of the match
Daniel D : 3
Michael : 3
Gerard : 2
Brook 1
Jack : 1
Jordan : 1
Philip : 1

Like I said last time : 59 goals scored in 14 games is amazing! We MUST not rely on our ability to score more than we concede - we are AFC TPS, not Spurs! A bit tighter at the back please!

Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

St. Joseph's (Antrim) 2 AFC TPS 5

After quite a break from competitive football, AFC TPS resumed their 11 a side league challenge today with this hard earned win against a tough and determined St. Joseph's team.

After early dominance, forcing several corners, AFC TPS were first to concede. Following a fanastic save from Daniel J, St. Joseph's reacted faster and fired the rebound home. AFC TPS stayed calm, knowing their football would bring them chances. This proved to be the case as they equalised with a cheeky shot from out wide on the left from Michael.

AFC TPS continued to play some fine passing football and were rewarded before half time with goals from Adam M and captain for the day Daniel D.

Even with a 3-1 half time lead, AFC TPS knew there was all to play for in the second half. Jack and Matthew kept it tight at the back while Gerard and Michael continued to run the show in midfield. Johnny had a great game out on the left wing, while Brook was his usual talkative and combative self on the right. Philip and Jordan, later to be replaced by Andrew did all that was asked of them in their full back roles.

AFC TPS extended their lead after an excellent run by Gerard. He produced a dangerous cross which was touched home by Daniel, yet again in the right place at the right time. St. Joseph's kept their heads up and scored the goal of the game, firing home from 20 yards to make it 4-2. Adam A was replaced late on by Adam I, making his full debut for the team, and he was involved in the mood which led to Daniel completing his hat trick touching home brother Gerard's cross.

A great performance from everyone today. Total determination and good communication all over the pitch. Great to see! On this showing there is absolutely no reason why we can not win this league! We must remain calm and focussed on the pitch, and just tighten up a little bit more at the back, and the trophies will come our way!

Player of the match, and therefore captain for tomorrow's match is Michael, though he was pushed hard for this honour today by Gerard, Daniel D, Johnny, Jack, Philip, Matthew, Andrew, Jordan, Adam A, Adam I, Daniel J and Brook! (in no particular order!)

Onwards and upwards

Mr Alcorn

director of football

AFC TPS

Today's postponement

Just apologising for the late postponement of today's match against Parkhall. At 1pm following a phone call to the opposition, the match was on.

At 1.45pm I received a message that they would be unable to come. Hopefully this match will be rearranged, but if the deadline for completing matches is still Easter, AFC TPS will be claiming the points.

Thursday's match away to St. Joseph's in Antrim is still on, as is Friday's against Straid at home.

Thanks for your understanding, hope the late notice was not too much bother.

onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Season's stats (10)

Following delicate negotiations, the executive committee of AFC TPS has ruled that the final score in the recent victory was 12-2.

AFC TPS records have been amended to show the following :

most goals in a game : 12
largest margin of victory : 10

most goals in a game by one player remains at 7.

Michael has now been credited with 3 goals in the 12-2 game, an increase of one on the previously reported total.

Can everyone now please leave me alone and stop nagging?

Thank you!

PLEASE NOTE : these records are all there to be broken!

The season's stats now show

Antrim Area 11 a side league

P2 W1 D1 L0 F7 A4 Pts 4

Antrim Area 5 a side tournament

P4 W2 D0 L2 F11 A 8 Pts 6

Ballyclare & District 7 a side league

P4 W3 D0 L1 F27 A 10 Pts 9

Friendlies

P3 W2 D0 L1 F9 A 3 Pts 6

Overall

P13 W8 D1 L4 F54 A 25 Pts 25

Scorers

Daniel D : 17
Michael : 14

Adam M : 8

Gerard : 8

Brook : 5

Adam I : 1

Jordan : 1

Player of the match

Daniel D : 3

Gerard : 2

Michael : 2

Brook 1
Jack : 1

Jordan : 1

Philip : 1

I hope it is clear to all that while attack is always the best form of defence, as shown by an amazing total of 54 goals in 13 games, we still need to tighten up at the back, as we are leaking almost two goals per game.

Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Thompson PS 2 AFC TPS 11*

AFC TPS came out with all guns blazing today, with captain Jack having won the toss and elected to play down the hill in the first half.

Within 20 seconds Daniel had put his team ahead, and in a half in which AFC TPS put their downhill advantage to good use, he added 5 more goals, with Brook adding one of his own.

The second half was a different story, with Thompson showing they knew their hill very well themselves. They pulled one back early in the half, and while AFC TPS came back with four of their own, 2 (*) from Michael, one from Adam, and a beautiful lob from Daniel, it was Thompson who had the final say with a goal in the dying seconds.

This match broke several records for AFC TPS. Firstly it was our highest winning margin (9 goals*), secondly it represented the most goals scored in one match (11*) and finally it also represented the most goals in a match by one player (7 by Daniel).

We have now played all the teams in our group. To qualify, we must ensure that we beat them all again in the return fixtures, which must be completed by the Easter break.

Thanks again to the many parents who have turned out to support us, not just in this match, but throughout the season. We intend to keep you cheering!

(you may have noticed some little stars* in this report. There is a little confusion over the exact score and scorers, it may have been 12. We shall have a team meeting on Monday and sort this out.)

Onwards and upwards.
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Season's stats (9)

Antrim Area 11 a side league

P2 W1 D1 L0 F7 A4 Pts 4

Antrim Area 5 a side tournament

P4 W2 D0 L2 F11 A 8 Pts 6

Ballyclare & District 7 a side league

P3 W2 D0 L1 F15 A 8 Pts 6

Friendlies

P3 W2 D0 L1 F9 A 3 Pts 6

Overall

P12 W7 D1 L4 F42 A 23 Pts 22

Scorers

Michael : 11

Daniel D : 10

Gerard : 8

Adam M : 7

Brook : 4

Adam I : 1

Jordan : 1

Player of the match

Daniel D : 2

Gerard : 2

Michael : 2

Brook 1
Jack : 1

Jordan : 1

Philip : 1

AFC TPS 4 Straid 2

AFC TPS director of football Mr Alcorn tried out a new formation today against Straid and watched in horror as Straid took an early but well deserved lead with a great finish from a corner. AFC TPS had already had several chances before they went behind and they fought back quickly to level at 1-1 with a goal by Brook from a corner of their own. The horror show coninued however as Straid almost immediately regained the advantage to lead 2-1 as half time approached. However just before the interval captain Michael got his team back on level terms with a super header from yet another corner.

Mr Alcorn abandoned his bold 2-3-1 experimental formation at half time, reverting to the more familiar 2-2-2. If he had had any tea cups handy, he may have thrown a few of them around the dressing room, if there had also been a dressing room to hand. Lucky for the players that there was neither a dressing room nor any tea cups about. He did however deliver the first "rocket" of the season as he told the team in no uncertain terms that the first half performance was quite simply not acceptable. He asked if the team believed they were good enough to make up for their early showing and asked them to go out and prove it.

And prove it they did!

Out they came with Jonny taking over in nets and Matthew and Jack taking up the defensive duties. Straid continued to press throughout the half, with their outstanding captain - possibly the best visiting player we have been up against this season - instrumental in most of their moves. However they found it much harder to break down the AFC TPS defence, and with Michael continuing to urge his team on, AFC TPS got the goal that put them in front for the first time in the match. It came from - yes - another corner, with Brook swinging it in dangerously from the left. It may have taken a touch off a defender on the way in, but Brook claimed it immediately, and after the controversial goals panel had viewed the evidence, it was awarded to him.

AFC TPS kept it tight in defence and began at last to string a few moves together, with a quick break resulting in a fourth goal from Daniel D to give the team a bit of breathing space. Straid continued to play good football, but their balls into the box were expertly - and occasionally desperately - dealt with, as AFC TPS ran out 4-2 winners in the end.

Straid will be back again later in the season and will be full of confidence that they can turn today's result around. We must play like we did in the second half if we hope to get another 3 points off them.

Lessons have been learnt today - both by the director of football and the players. The director of football will stick to tried and trusted formations from now on, and the players will show the pride and determination that they showed to drag themselves back into this game - AT ALL TIMES!

A tough call for player of the match today, with Michael's sweetly headed goal being the only highlight of a disappointing first half for AFC TPS. However, when the three defensive substitutions were made at half time, the whole team looked much more solid and seemed to gain in confidence. Player of the match therefore goes to Jack who never lost his man for one moment during his time on the pitch and made some vital tackles. Well done Jack! And well done everyone for battling back and showing what you are ALL made of.

Onwards and upwards

Mr Alcorn

director of football

AFC TPS