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

St. Comgall's 1 AFC TPS 3

St. Comgall's 1 AFC TPS 3
(Michael, Daniel 2)

An absolutely fantastic scoreline today, after a fantastic performance by each and every player. Following our defeat at the hands of Antrim the squad knew there could be no further defeats, and that every player had to be on top form. On a full size pitch, with plenty of space, this resulted in some of the best passing this season, with the ball being released early into dangerous areas at every opportunity.

The defence of Dean, Philip, Andrew, Scott and Graeme dealt superbly with any threat from St. Comgall's, timing their tackles and calmly clearing the ball to green shirts throughout the game. Graeme - forcing his way back into the starting XI - was particularly impressive, and has created a selection headache for the next match!

In midfield Johnny continues his progress, adding some excellent passing and tackling to his game. Ross kept the pressure up on the right wing while Gerard and Michael were nothing short of outstanding. It is true that when these two click, we are a better team - but the fact today is that they clicked at the same time as the whole team! Adam continued his unselfish running and team play up front, while Daniel just did his usual superb reading of the game which so often means he ends up in exactly the right place at the right time.

Right from kick off it was clear that AFC TPS were really up for this game, and Michael deservedly gave us the lead after a super diagonal ball from Gerard was cleverly left by Adam. It fell perfectly into Michael's path and he made no mistake with his finish. Daniel then got the faintest of touches on a shot from Gerard to just redirect the ball away from the St. Comgall's keeper and into the net to make the half time score 2-0 to AFC TPS.

After a half time warning that the game was not won yet, St. Comgall's came out for the second half determined to get back into the game, but they found our defensive line determined to keep them out. Daniel gave us a three goal lead with another fine finish midway through the half after another fine run from Michael, and despite a late consolation goal for St. Comgall's, and a stunning clearance off the line from Michael, AFC TPS ran out deserved 3-1 winnners in the end.

I'm finding it increasingly hard to split Michael and Gerard as the season goes on, as when they perform it lifts to whole team. I think both of them just happened to put in their best performances of the season, so - despite match winning performances all over the pitch, and a particularly impressive comeback from Graeme, I have to give Gerard and Michael the joint player of the match award.

Here's the stats ...

11 a side league
P5 W4 D0 L1 F19 A6 pts 12

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
P14 W9 D1 L4 F46 A20 pts 28

goal scorers
Daniel 11
Michael 10
Gerard 8
Adam 6
Philip 6
Johnny 2
Luke S 2
Ross 1

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

Onwards and upwards

Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

Antrim 5 AFC TPS 2

Antrim 5 AFC TPS 2
(Adam, Gerard)

Have you noticed that it takes a little longer for the match reports to appear if we've lost?

This is mainly due to the fact that I am busy throwing things at other things to try to stop being so angry! This time however, the only person to be angry at is myself.

I am taking full responsibility for this defeat, as Mr Cromie pointed out (quite a lot) in assembly! The simple facts are that we were in control of the match at half time, at which point Antrim spotted what they needed to change and who they needed to mark out of the game. They did this and I failed to respond with a change in our tactics. My fault : sorry : won't happen again!

However, while Antrim's change in approach - i.e. they stopped our most dangerous players from being any sort of threat - was the reason we failed to score in the second half, it can not fully explain why we conceded 4 second half goals! This is something we must improve, so that when a match is tight, we come out victorious, and when we are on top, we punish teams and finish games off.

You will notice I have not mentioned any players by name in this report. I will simply state that Adam and Gerard scored our goals, and name Andrew - a player who is not always noticed on the pitch because he just gets on with his job - as player of the match.

I would welcome your comments on this match. As I would on any of our matches. Constructive if possible!

Here's the stats :

11 a side league
P4 W3 D0 L1 F16 A5 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
P13 W8 D1 L4 F43 A19 pts 25

goal scorers
Daniel 9
Michael 9
Gerard 8
Adam 6
Philip 6
Johnny 2
Luke S 2
Ross 1

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

Onwards and upwards

Mr Alcorn
director of football
AFC TPS

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