AFC TPS 2 Crumlin 1

AFC TPS 2 Crumlin 1
(Ross, Gerard)

Yet another lesson learned by the AFC TPS squad today - how to come back from behind to win! Despite dominating possession in the first half, AFC TPS came in at half time 1 nil down, due to a lapse in concentration in defence. I don't usually like to put things like that in the match reports - but we know it was a mistake and we ALL take responsibility for it and move on.

Come half time, there was nothing we could about the goal, but there was plenty we could do about the score! There was no question that the team were good enough and more importantly confident enough that they could still win. This was the focus of the half time team talk, and the players went back out to prove it.

AFC TPS continued to have most of the possession but were finding an inspired goalkeeper in the Crumlin net. Time after time he kept us out, until finally Ross beat two defenders before firing low and hard in off the post for his first goal for the school.

With the scores level and time running out, it was clear that the next goal would win the match. Thankfully - and deservedly - that goal came from the head of the new permanent captain Gerard after yet another dangerous long throw from our own Rory Delap, otherwise known as Johnny.

After the match Crumlin's coach was kind enough to admit that we were a much better footballing team that his team and he had quickly realised that his tactics would have to focus on stopping us playing. He so nearly succeeded in this - but not quite!

A super performance and yet again it is hard to pick out one player as player of the match. I'm going to go for Gerard though because of the way he encourages everyone around him and leads by example. He has now been appointed captain for 1 off matches, while Michael will continue as captain for tournaments. Who will get the opportunity to lift silverware at the end of the season? Hopefully both of them, but keep reading our blog to find out!

Here's the stats :

11 a side league
P3 W3 D0 L0 F14 A1 pts 9

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
P12 W8 D1 L3 F41 A16 pts 25

goal scorers
Daniel 9
Michael 9
Gerard 7
Philip 6
Adam 5
Johnny 2
Luke S 2
Ross 1

player of the match
Gerard 4
Michael 2
Philip 2
Luke B 1
Dean 1
Daniel 1
Adam 1

Onwards and upwards

Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Antrim Area 5 a side tournament

Results

AFC TPS 4 Groggan 0
(Daniel, Philip, Gerard, Michael)

AFC TPS 5 Ballycraigy 0
(Gerard 2, Daniel 2, Michael)

AFC TPS 5 Greystone 0
(Michael 2, Daniel 2, Gerard)

AFC TPS 0 St. Joseph's (Crumlin) 2

These 4 results meant that we qualified for the semi finals as runners up in our group.

Semi Final
AFC TPS 3 St. Comgall's 4
(Gerard 2, Michael)

A close fought semi final with AFC TPS fighting for the equaliser right until the final whistle. Unfortunately we had just given ourselves too much to do by going 2 behind so early on in the match. The goals throughout the day were superb, and there was definite improvement in the passing and moving, meaning there is still plenty to look forward to in the rest of the season.

I can't fault anyone on their performance today, so player of the tournament is going to the whole squad of Dean, Philip, Michael, Gerard, Daniel and Adam.

Here's the season's stats :

11 a side league
P2 W2 D0 L0 F12 A0 pts 6

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
P11 W7 D1 L3 F39 A15 pts 22

goal scorers
Daniel 9
Michael 9
Gerard 6
Philip 6
Adam 5
Johnny 2
Luke S 2

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

Onwards and upwards

Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Fairview 4 AFC TPS 1

I suppose I have to get around to this match report eventually!

We lost.

4-1.

To be honest, 4-1 makes it sound worse than it was. I got an email from Fairview about the match; here's part of it :

"Just a wee e-mail to thank you for the match last week. It was a very enjoyable game and the scoreline didn't reflect how tight and how good a match it was for the majority of the game."

We battled away as usual, but we need to pass the ball more! Simple as that. Luke S equalised for us on the stroke of half time and it was end to end stuff until the last 5 minutes when our heads dropped slightly as we let in three late goals. Better to do it in a friendly though! Player of the match, for his usual all action display, but also for his awareness of what is going on all over the pitch was Gerard.

Thank you so much to Mrs Jones and her crew who helped to provide little Christmas treats for all the players and spectators. It was much appreciated by everyone.

Here's the season's stats :

11 a side league
P2 W2 D0 L0 F12 A0 pts 6

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

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

overall P6 W4 D1 L1 F22 A8 pts 13

goal scorers
Adam 5
Philip 5
Michael 4
Daniel 4
Johnny 2
Luke S 2

player of the match
Gerard 2
Luke B 1
Michael 1
Philip 1

Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

St. Joseph's (Crumlin) 0 AFC TPS 3

A totally different match for AFC TPS this week, but another super win to put us clear at the top of the table with two wins from two. It was a real battle with end to end football throughout. AFC TPS held on to the early lead that they took through Daniel, and added two more right at the end, with Adam settling the nerves with the second before Daniel netted again. Player of the match was a tough one with every single player battling for the whole game, but I've decided to give it to Philip for slotting straight back into defence and doing exactly what is needed.

I'm not so good at getting the players' match reports on the blog - they have been doing them and they've been in the school newsletter - I just keep forgetting to put them on here! I'll try again this time!

For now, here's the season's stats :

STATS
11 a side league
P2 W2 D0 L0 F12 A0 pts 6

11 a side friendlies
P1 W1 D0 L0 F5 A2 pts 3

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

overall
P5 W4 D1 L0 F21 A4 pts 13

goal scorers
Adam 5
Philip 5
Michael 4
Daniel 4
Johnny 2
Luke S 1

player of the match
Gerard 1
Luke B 1
Michael 1
Philip 1

Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Parkhall 0 Templepatrick 9

Wow! What a result for AFC TPS in their first competitive match of the season. Three points and with this goal difference, we almost certainly go straight to the top of the table. Rumours are rife that there will be an online league table this season - I will add a link once I find out where it is.

Again, (though I forgot last time, despite Michael and Philip producing an excellent report for the school newsletter), I will let the team do the match report.

I will just say that is was a superb all round display, with some excellent goals, hard tackling, teamwork and concentration throughout. It was also a record score for an 11 a side match in all my time with AFC TPS - 14 years and counting! Three goals each for Michael and Adam, 2 for Philip and one for Johnny. Excellent displays also from Dean, Ross and player of the match Gerard, as well as a disciplined performance from the whole back four.

Here's the stats.....

STATS
11 a side league
P1 W1 D0 L0 F9 A0 pts 3

11 a side friendlies
P1 W1 D0 L0 F5 A2 pts 3

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

overall
P4 W2 D1 L0 F18 A4 pts 10

goal scorers
Philip 5
Adam 4
Michael 4
Daniel 2
Johnny 2
Luke S 1

player of the match
Gerard 1
Luke B 1
Michael 1

Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Whitehouse 2 AFC TPS 5

A fantastic away win for AFC TPS - we better get used to it - all our matches will be away this season!

I am hoping to get the players to write the match reports this season - I believe there is one waiting in school from Philip and captain and player of the match Michael. I will get it added to this post ASAP.

All I will say is that we are going to score plenty of goals this season - but we still look a bit wobbly in defence. We will get this sorted though!

For now, here are the seasons stats.

STATS
11 a side friendlies
P1 W1 D0 L0 F5 A2 pts 3

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

overall
P3 W2 D1 L0 F9 A4 pts 7

goal scorers
Philip 3
Daniel 2
Adam 1
Johnny 1
Luke S 1
Michael 1

player of the match
Luke B 1
Michael 1

Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Fairview v AFC TPS report and stats

A super start to season 2008/9 for AFC TPS this afternoon, with a win and a draw in two friendlies in the mud and the wind and the rain at Fairview.

The first match resulted in a 1-1 draw, with both goals coming in the first half. Fairview opened the scoring on the break and AFC TPS hit back on the stroke of half time as Philip tucked home the rebound from a shot from captain Gerard.

The second half was all AFC TPS with chances for Michael, Philip, Gerard and Daniel. There were a few scares in our own defence, but it was some miraculous saves from Fairview's goalkeeper that kept the scores level by the end of the match.

The second match started as the first one had ended, with pressure from AFC TPS. Luke S fired home a super goal early on which gave AFC TPS the chance to relax and play some lovely football. The pressure paid as Johnny slammed home an unstoppable shot as half time approached. Fairview came out for the second half determined to make a match of it, and with the wind now in their favour Luke B, Peter and Andrew were a lot more involved. Andrew pulled of some fine saves, Luke B showed he had the handy knack of being in the right place at the right time, while Peter kept things simple by clearing the ball early and getting back into position. Adam added a third for AFC TPS with a vicious first time shot from wide on the right. Fairview hit straight back, and Andrew had to be at his best to stop them hauling themselves right back into the game. Some super saves and some solid defending gave us a full time score of 3-1 to AFC TPS.

Player of the day for Fairview was clearly their goalkeeper in the first match, while our player of the day, playing his way into a (possible) starting position, through his determination and positioning was Luke B.

On a final note, I have to say that while matches between these two schools are fiercely competitive, they are always played in the right spirit with supporters of both teams mixing happily. Long may it continue!


STATS

7 a side friendlies
P2 W1 D1 L0 F4 A2 pts 6

goal scorers
Adam 1
Johnny 1
Luke S 1
Philip 1

player of the match
Luke B 1

Onwards and upwards
Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS