Season's stats (12)

Antrim Area 11 a side league
P4 W2 D1 L1 F13 A9 Pts 7

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

Ballyclare & District 7 a side league
P5 W4 D0 L1 F28 A 10 Pts 12

Friendlies
P3 W2 D0 L1 F9 A 3 Pts 6

Overall
P16 W10 D1 L5 F61 A 30 Pts 31

Scorers
Daniel D : 20
Michael : 15
Adam M : 9
Gerard : 9
Brook : 6
Adam I : 1
Jordan : 1

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

Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

St.. Joseph's Antrim 3 AFC TPS 1

Hi all. Just a very quick match report to keep Mrs D happy, as I'm sure she's been checking for one all weekend.

Well, we lost.

After an even and scoreless first half, it seemed that this match would be decided by the first goal. So it proved as St. Joseph's scored with 10 minutes left before running out 3-1 winners. Overall St. Joseph's deserved their victory because they

(a) had 11 players who were hungry for the ball,

(b) passed the ball and created space better than we did

and (c) they finished their chances better!

We did have the chances to get back into the game at 1-0 and 2-0 down, but maybe we didn't make the right decisions on the day. Maybe we were unlucky to see an incredible clearance of the line by St. Joseph's from one of Michael's many dangerous corners, but that's too many maybes! Several of our players seemed to lose heart a little once they went behind. This is something we must not allow to happen again. The game is not over until it's over, and one goal can make a huge difference to both teams! We did manage one goal, but Gerard's * finish proved too little too late, as the whistle for full time blew immediately afterwards. This is not to say that St. Joseph's were by far a better team than us on the day, they did play better overall, but if we played them 10 times in a row, it would probably end up with 5 victories each.

The league is still there to be won. It will come down to who gets most points in matches between us, Antrim, Parkhall, St. Joseph's and St. Comgalls. We have three of these teams still to play, and 3 wins will probably be enough!

So heads up everybody, let's learn from this defeat today, and let's move on with determination to not do any more learning from defeat -because there will be no more defeats!

Player of the match, for keeping his head throughout and making some vital tackles and interceptions was Philip. Well done!

The captain for the remainder of the season will be announced in school on Monday.

* Gerard has been awarded the goal in this game as he had the final touch by an AFC TPS player.


Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

St. Joseph's (Crumlin) v AFC TPS

Bit of a hash on the sheet that went home today.

The match tomorrow (Friday 7th March) is in CRUMLIN and not Antrim as stated. Sure we've already beaten St. Joseph's from Antrim anyway!

Kick off is at 2.20pm, so we are leaving school at 2pm.

Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

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