Triumph Athletic

Football Club

Season 2008-9

Results and match reports from the 2008-9 season

Final League Table (2nd Jun 09)

Sun 31st Aug Leamington FC 1 - 5  Triumph Hobson (2), Bradley, James, og
Wed 3rd Sep Dunlop Juniors 2 - 2 Triumph Hobson, Bradley
Fri 5th Sep Coventrians 7 - 2 Triumph  
Sun 14th Sep Chapelfields Colts 5-4 Triumph Hobson (2), Whitcroft, Docherty
Sun 21st Sep Triumph 4-0 Chaps (Blue) A.Pointer(3), R.Hobson
Sun 28st Sep Cov Jag 0-5 Triumph James(3), Hobson(2)
Sun 12th Oct Triumph 4-4 Finham Park James(2), Docherty, A.Morris
Sun 9th Nov Alvis Vs Triumph  
Sun 23rd Nov Cov Cedars 3-4 Triumph James, McKernan, R.Hobson (2)
Sun 21st Dec Admirals 0-5 Triumph A.Morris, Whitcroft, Essex, R.Hobson, Pointer
Sun 21st Dec Triumph 3-2 Admirals R.Hobson, Whitcroft, Doherty
Sun 28th Dec Triumph 4-4 Cedars James(4)
Sun 11th Jan Triumph 9-0 Cov Jag R.Hobson 2, D.James 2, J.Villette 2, B.Hobson, K.Doherty, D.Mckernan
Sun 18th Jan CTK 3-2 Triumph R Hobson, Emery
Sun 22nd Feb Triumph 3-2 Chaps Red B.Hobson, D.McKernan, R.Hobson
Sun 8th Mar Triumph 2-1 CTK Rovers D.James, A.Morris
Sun 22nd Mar Chaps Blue 3-1 Triumph James
Sun 29th Mar Stratford 1-6 Triumph A. Morris, B.Hobson, K.Doherty, D.James, R.Hobson(2)
Sun 5th Apr Finham 0-1  Triumph James
Sun 19th Apr Central Ajax 3-1 Triumph  
Thur 23rd Apr Triumph Vs Alvis  
Sun 26th Apr London Rd 4-3 Triumph D.James, J.Whitcroft, K.Doherty
Sun 3rd May Triumph 3-4 Athletic D James,
B. Hobson,
R Hobson
Wed 6th May Triumph 2-3 London Rd K.Doherty, J.Whitcroft
Tamworth Cup        
Sat 18th Oct Stonydelph Boys 3-6 Triumph R.Hobson(3) B.Hobson(2)
A. Morris
Sun 16th Nov Amington 7-2 Triumph Whitcroft,
Coventry Cup        
Sun 30th Nov Balsall Hornets 2-6 Triumph B.Hobson R.Hobson(4)
Villette
Sun 1st Mar Triumph 1-4 C.T.K. Red Villette

Match Reports

26th April  -  Triumph Athletic   3 (1) – (3) 4  Athletic Utd

Scorers / Danny James, Brad Hobson, Ryan Hobson.

Triumphs miserable ending to the season continued, this time on there own turf for the first time this season, going down by the odd goal in 7, again to an Athletic side still hoping to cling on to top spot. Triumph moved Doherty into the back 4 where he has been out in the middle of the park to shore up a defence that had been leaking goals in the last 5 matches he hadn’t been there. It didn’t work as Athletic raced into a 3 goal lead just as they had done 3 nights earlier to effectively end the game. Triumph pulled a goal back before halftime through Ryan but it was a long way back.

The 2nd half was a really tight affair until a corner went straight in & Athletic again went 3 in front. The game then changed & Triumph began to really put pressure on Utd & were awarded 2 penalties in 5 minutes to give them a fleeting chance of a point at least. They scored them both but couldn’t force an equalizer. Another great game but again we were on the end of a 1 goal defeat for the 3rd game running. We host London road on Wednesday and it would be nice to finish on a high to lift the lads who have been superb for most of the season but with a squad of only 12 players it has become too much for some of the lads.

Great effort.

MOM / Danny James……great running & determination from the little man.

26th April  -  London Rd  4 (2) – (1) 3   Triumph Athletic

 Scorers / D.James, J.Whitcroft, K.Doherty

London Rd Lions all but ended any lingering hopes of finishing in the top 2 which is probably what is needed to get out of the B division. Ina really tight game it was the lions who struck first with the left back hitting an unstoppable shot high into the roof of the net to make it 1 – 0. Almost immediately Triumph hit back with a well taken shot from Danny with some great work from Ryan on the wing who found him with a pin point cross. Just before half time lions scored a 2nd after finding a lot of room to turn & hit a weak shot into the corner which Triumph will feel they should have cleared.

Triumph switched back to a 4-4-2 formation & it immediately paid dividends as they struck back with 2 goals in 5 minutes from Jordan & Kieran Doc to shock the lions who were at times now being over run. It was no more than the stags deserved as they took control of the game. 10 minutes later Danny James won a penalty to give Triumph the chance to effectively end the game but Kieran Doc hit his shot too close to the keeper & again Triumph had missed an opportunity to take the points & relax. This proved to turn into another struggle as the lions equalised with 15 minutes to go & then headed in the winner 5 minutes later to send the lion’s supporters in to ecstasy as the crestfallen stags couldn’t believe it was happening to them again.

The ref blew for full time & the lions players celebrated as if they had won the title already. We play them again a week on Wednesday & I believe we will win that game as the players know they should have beaten them comfortably when 3 – 2 with a chance to make it 4. There was to be no harsh words this week as they gave everything they could for 70 minutes but without the luck once again. We will still aim to finish on a high & hopefully finish in the top 4 if we can win our last 3 games.

We move to Athletic at home on Thursday where we will play to keep our home record intact & see off another team that are up at the top with us.

Well done boys….better luck next time.

19th April  -  Central Ajax  3 (1) – (0) 1   Triumph Athletic

The Stags crashed to an embarrassing defeat to Ajax who sit 4th from bottom of the league. This has just about ended our slim hopes of winning the B division & now puts automatic promotion at risk. Triumph started really well dominating the possession for the 1st 10 minutes but allowed Ajax too much time on the ball & it was plain to see that a few of our players were wilting after 20 minutes due to the fact we were once again left with only the bare 11 to start & finish the game. This is having a really bad effect on the lads so while I tore them to pieces at the end of the game its hard not to see that they are struggling without any back up.

This all taken in to account we still have no reason as to why some of us have clearly given up with so much still to play for & Both Leo & myself were really upset & bemused that this was happening in a game we should be comfortably winning. Alvis is a must win game as are all of them now & I expect a different team to turn up at home on Thursday where we have been brilliant all season & are yet to be beaten in the league.

I say an embarrassing defeat to Ajax & this is meant with the greatest of respect to there manager & there players who were magnificent & disciplined & made us look sloppy & lazy at times but a performance like that is not acceptable in a team I manage & it won’t happen again.

The game itself isn’t really worth reporting on as I would like to forget it & I think the players would too. Its worth noting that penalty misses have cost us 6 points which would now have us sitting in 3rd place with games to spare but I cant really blame the lads who have missed them as they have been willing to take them anyway & it is a nerve racking thing to do. Better on Thursday lads please as we will have extra players available & we need to go into Sunday’s huge away clash with London rd Lions in good spirits & with a good win behind us.

5th April  -  Finham Park Rangers  0 (0) – (1) 1   Triumph Athletic

Scorer / Danny James

The stags ground out a fantastic win at one of the hardest places to get points on Sunday afternoon. The pitch really wasn’t that good & Leo & Steve again had a bad feeling that it wouldn’t suit our style of play. Triumph due to injuries were down to the bare eleven players with Sean Nugent slotting in at right back & skipper Derry going to left back. Jack Villette was also back to play on the right side of midfield. Triumph started very brightly with the midfield dominating possession but not being able to break Finham down.

Both teams were finding it really difficult to keep the ball on the floor although Finham were better at it as it seemed to be there normal game with the tall forward looking for every high ball that came his way. Finham had defended very well but were helpless with 5 minutes to go of the 1st half as Triumph scored a beautiful goal. Sean Harvey threw the ball out to Jack Villette who knocked a long ball down the right side to Ryan Hobson whose pin point cross was met by the head of Danny James who gave the keeper no chance. A great goal.

The 2nd half had Finham push 3 men up front with Triumph holding on & hitting them on the break at every opportunity but wasting the chances that they created. Finhams best chance was headed off the line by the excellent Morris & that was as close as they came. There was utter relief at the final whistle as Triumph still try to keep up with the leaders. A good 3 pts & a clean sheet.

MOM / Kieran Doherty – A commanding presence at the heart of the back four.  

29th March  -  Stratford Town  1 (0) – (3) 6 Triumph Athletic

Scorers / A. Morris, B.Hobson, K.Doherty, D.James, R.Hobson (2)

The lads returned to winning ways with a thumping victory at Stratford who I have to say have an impressive set-up at Knights lane. It would be fair to say that a really difficult game was expected from a team that has performed well in the B league over the last 7 months or so. Triumph dominated all of the possession in the opening 10 minutes & it was Aiden Morris who poked over the 1st goal to make it 1 – 0 to the stags.

Kieran Doherty made it 2 – 0 with a forceful header from a corner which gave the keeper no chance & Brad Hobson made it 3 – 0 to sew the points up at the break. Stratford started quite brightly after the interval without really making any headway into the stag’s penalty area although there number 4 who had some quality in his left foot sent some dangerous free kicks into the area & over the bar but that was as close as they had come. Sean Harvey made 1 great save 15 min into the 2nd half from a rare Stratford attack. Danny James rounded off the move of the game involving J.Whitcroft & R.Hobson before shooting low into the corner to make it 4 – 0.

Ryan “The Boss” Hobson had gone 3 games without scoring but it didn’t take him long to put that behind him as he snatched his 1st of the day to make it 5 – 0 & then hit his trademark thunderbolt from a tight angle to make it 6 – 0 which all of his teammates were really y pleased about as they congratulated him, his work rate in every game has been fantastic, even when it isn’t happening for him up front. Stratford scored late on with a cracking 20 yarder from number 4 Dyke who impressed in the middle of the park with his skill & strength. A good performance on a great pitch which makes a mockery of the pitch played on last week. Well done boys, keep it going.

MOM / Derry McKernan – A captains performance (except for the miss in the 1st half – but he made up for it clearing of the line in the 2nd half) well done Derry.     

22nd March  Chapelfields Colts (Blue) 3 (1) – (1) 1 Triumph Athletic

Triumph Scorer Danny James

A disappointing result for the stags as they continued there push for promotion & given the form they had been showing from the past 2 games this game looked on paper as if the 3pts would be gettable. Knowing the game they had given us at Tanners lane made this a banana skin that we couldn’t take lightly.

Both teams started well & Chaps had a great chance to break the deadlock after 10 min but Marston miss-hit his shot wide of goal. Triumph began to take control of possession but without really getting in behind the Chaps backline which stood up really well against Hobson & James as they probed for openings.

James broke the deadlock after 25 minutes with his corner going in from the goalkeepers hands. Triumph looked as if they were then getting on top & thought they had scored a second when Emery ran from an onside position in midfield to slot home the loose ball but he was given offside by the ref with no flag coming from the Chaps linesman!! Very unlucky!!

The 2nd half started much the same with both teams probing but not really hurting each others backline & some flying tackles ended up with both sets of players being given a good talking to by the ref & rightly so.

Triumph then enjoyed the majority of possession & had 5 good chances to score with Morris spurning an open net which had the Triumph players &  staff holding there heads in disbelief…….it was always going to be one of those days!!

With Triumph desperately trying to push for the winner Triumph pushed McKernan into midfield to leave 3 at the back as Chaps hadn’t looked like scoring all half but it was to be there undoing as Chaps hit a long ball over the top & Marston’s persistence paid off with the sub stabbing home his closing down which Triumphs defence failed to deal with. Totally against the run of play. The same happened again 2 minutes later with Marston scoring another goal which he took very well.

Triumphs inability to finish Chaps off came back to haunt them but Chaps defended really well & wouldn’t have deserved to lose the game but really shouldn’t have won it either.

Triumph will hope to get back on track against Stratford town that are another team in the bottom half & let’s hope we learn our lesson well.

You have to take the chances that come your way!!!!!

Well done to everyone
Steve 

8th March -  Triumph Athletic (1) 2 – 1 (1) C.T.K Rovers

Scorers / D.James, A.Morris   

The Black & whites halted the C.T.K title train for a further week as they ground out a great 2 – 1 home win to avenge the away result they so cruelly lost in January. Once again this was never going to be a straight forward 3 pts for the Stags as they attempted to keep up with the pacesetters at the top of the ‘B’ league.

The game started really well for Triumph as they lay siege to the visitors goal but couldn’t break them down with Kings defending really well for 10 minutes. Kings began to drag themselves into the game with the ever dangerous Fox dictating things from midfield but both keepers seemed to be on there game when a chance arose. The deadlock was broken after 15 minutes when Cannon was left free on the right hand side to direct a cross into the net & Kings probably deserved the lead at the time. Triumph finally got some reward 5 minutes before the break with Danny James collecting a pass inside the Kings back four line & slotting home the equaliser to send both teams into the break at one a piece.

The 2nd half started much the same with Triumph putting Kings under pressure but not getting anything with Kings keeper Jordan Harvey making 2 great saves to keep it level. It became very scrappy with the wind playing hard against the home team the same as it had done to Kings in the first. With the game heading for a stalemate Brad Hobson ran at the Kings full back who tripped him up in the area & to everyone’s disbelief waved play on with the kings coaching staff also shaking there heads at the decision which obviously they were pleased with. It didn’t deter Triumph as they again came at Kings & with 8 minutes to go with Aiden Morris tapping home after a palmed hand away from the Kings keeper who was left helpless on the floor.

Kings came at Triumph for the last 5 minutes having numerous free kicks & corners which Fox wasted undermining his usual quality but the Stags held out for the 3 pts.

MOM – Kieran Doherty

A great result for the lads which keeps us in contention.

1st March -  Triumph Athletic (0) 1 – 4 (1) C.T.K Red

Scorers / Villette

It was a game we had all been looking forward to for a few weeks & it was a great cup tie to start off with in the 1st half. Triumph matched Kings for most of the 1st 35 minutes going close on a couple of occasions notably with a open net chance that bobbled over B.Hobson's foot as he was about to tap in from 6 yards from the hard working R.Hobson's great cross.

The game was about to go in 0 – 0 at half time when Kings orchestrated a clever move down the left hand side & the cross was turned over the line before they could clear. 1 – 0 to Kings at halftime, a tad unfair on us but we were still very much in the game.

The 2nd half began at a slow pace & Kings had made a few changes with subs just before halftime which we were not able to do as we only had the one sub. Kings grabbed a 2nd with the Triumph defence hesitating to allow them to again sneak one over the line with McKiernan the unlucky defender deflecting it in to his own net. 2 – 0 Kings. Triumph hit back straight away with possibly the goal of the game, a neat one two in midfield between Whitcroft & Nugent finished with a sublime ball to Villette who toe poked a 20 yarder past the Kings keeper who had no chance. 2 – 1 to Kings.

This spurred us on & had Ryan not unluckily miscontrolled a through ball he would have been one on one with the keeper again but the ball got away from him. Triumph were then put under some extreme pressure & Kings scored 2 goals in the last 10 minutes to safeguard there entry to the next round.

There was immense disappointment amongst the boys that they had done so much in a game they thought they could win & also the fact that there proud home record had gone. This is a big bonus for Leo & me to see this as it means we can match anybody in the city. If we play like that every week I have no doubt we will win a lot more than we lose or draw.

It was a fantastic cup tie & the Kings parents & coaches were very impressed with our team saying they haven’t seen anybody move the ball as quickly as us from defence to attack & that includes the other Red league teams. The boys were magnificent & the score line flattered a very good team who haven’t lost in the competition for over 2 years.  We move on now & look forward to the 2nd team visit of C.T.K at home this Sunday.

Well done boys.

22nd Feb -  Triumph Athletic  (1) 3 – 2 (2)  Chapelfields Red 

Scorers / B.Hobson, D.McKernan, R.Hobson.

A great game which we started really well & in the 1st 5 min could have been 2-0 up, but Chaps took control of possession & started to dominate the next 20 minutes & scored 2 goals in 5 minutes with Triumph not defending well from a corner for the 2nd goal. We managed to sneak one before halftime to get us back into the game & that’s when the game turned as Triumph were the better side after the break making numerous chances which they took with a good left footed strike from Derry & then a routine thunderbolt from Ryan which even the Chaps manager said was a brilliant strike & to be fair he deserved it as he ran Chaps ragged at times & his work rate was exceptional. A good performance from the boys which keeps us up there & proves they have the desire to not give up. A word for Tom Morris who along with Kieran Doherty at the heart of the back 4 were exceptional & its been noted that Tom is improving all the time with every game he plays. Well done lads.

18th Jan -  Christ the King  (1) 3 – 2 (1)  Triumph Athletic 

 Scorers / R.Hobson, Jack Emery

We played against Christ the King yesterday & were beaten 3-2 after leading them 2-1 with 10 minutes to go. A good game which we were probably the better football side but we couldn’t get the 3rd goal to kill them off, we had 2 cleared off the line & numerous openings but our indecision cost us in the end, but fair play to kings they kept plugging away & got the result they needed. A good game to watch as it ebbed & flowed from one end to another but we are gutted to have lost a game we should have won & won convincingly. Kings are a hardworking side who never give up & we will have to take this on board for our next encounter……can’t wait for them to come to our place!!!!

28th Dec -  Triumph Athletic  (4) 4 – 4 (0)  Coventry Cedars 

We led Cedars 4-0 after 21 minutes & never looked in any trouble with Danny James scoring all 4, two with his head. Brad Hobson providing three of them with brilliant work on the left wing. At half time we sat them down & told them to keep doing the same things but they took Cedars too lightly & they scored with a penalty in the 7th minute of the 2nd half to give them some hope. It went from bad to worse as Cedars dominated possession & scored 2 more quick goals.

Triumph then got a lucky break as they were awarded a penalty but Danny couldn’t convert as the excellent Cedars keeper again saved his team. Straight from the pick up he hit a huge kick which wasn’t dealt with by the Triumph defence & Cedars slotted home a deserved equalizer. Both teams had good chances to win it but the game finished with a 4-4 score line which in the end both sides were happy with as neither deserved to lose the game.  

Triumph were obviously gutted at throwing away such a lead but all credit to Cedars who never gave up & got what they deserved, a cracking game for the neutral observer but for myself who also had to ref the game it wasn’t good viewing in the 2nd half. But well done to both teams for the effort they put in.

21st Dec -  Triumph Athletic  (2) 3 – 2 (0)  Admirals

21st Dec -  Admirals  (0) 0 – 5 (2)  Triumph Athletic

This was a double header played at Admirals over 4 periods of 17 & a half minutes. Didn't know what to expect as the lads hadn’t done this before bit they started brightly on a terrible pitch & were quickly 2 goals up after the first period. Again we took our foot of the gas & the home side scored 2 quick goals to make the draw the more likely result at the end of the first game.

Triumph were then awarded a corner in the last minute & from Dannys cross Kieran Doherty rose above everyone to direct a cracking header into the net & send all the Triumph fans crazy as there was no time for the home side to respond, it was no more than we deserved as we played some great stuff with Admirals keeper stopping everything Ryan Hobson threw at him.

The 2nd game was a little easier with the home team heads a little low after the first game & we took control straight away & scored 5 without reply. A good 6 pointer which has put us back in the mix but with the draw against Cedars we have now dropped 4 points at home to teams we should have beaten. But the boys are playing really well and a win against Cov Jag on Sunday will set us up for the next two games which are against the auld enemy Christ the King Blue & the week after against the Red team in the cup. Well done to all the boys who always try to play the right way. Have a great 2009 & good luck for the rest of the season.

30th Nov -  Balsall & Berkswell Hornets  (0) 2 – 6 (1)  Triumph Athletic 

2nd Round of the Coventry Cup.

We went into this game on the back of a very good win at Cov Cedars so confidence was not a problem but the game which was to follow proves to me that what I have been telling the boys is true……they are a quality outfit & on there day they can beat anyone. We steamrollered Balsall from the 1st minute & never looked in any trouble as far as the result was concerned.

Everyone played there part in a fantastic performance that has to be the best I have seen in my 3 years as coach. We kept the ball well, passed it well & the feature of our play which is delighting me at the moment is the way we hunt the ball down when we haven’t got it. Something Leo & I are trying to get the kids to do is go & get the ball back when we don’t have it & they are doing just that.

The score at halftime was 1 – 0 with Brad Hobson’s corner turned in by Balsall player but Brad can have that one. After the break we stepped up a gear & scored 2 quick goals with Ryan Hobson firing past the helpless keeper to put us 3 – 0 up.

Balsall then put us under pressure as I expected they are a red league side who are having a good season & this was always going to be a difficult trip for us. Ryan scored 2 more with his 4th goal being a belter from the edge of the area…a fantastic forward who has a lot more to his game now than last season. In between Balsall got 2 consolations before Jack Villette notched the 6th to give us a crack at the mighty Christ the King Red at Tanners Lane in late January.

I’m hoping we show the same attitude as Sunday & we will give them a game. We are looking a good side & its refreshing to see the boys put in 2 great performances on the trot. A great week for the club & with the fixtures we have up to Jan the 11th we should make some ground on the leaders to put us up in the top 4 which is where we want to be.

Some great performances on Sunday from Luke Essex who did particularly well in the 1st half, Jordan Whitcroft who ran the midfield at times & of course the man up front Ryan Hobson who destroyed Balsall in the 2nd half. A note for the defence & goalkeeper who are getting better every week.

Well done boys.

Steve King

23rd Nov -  Cov. Ceders  (2) 3 – 4 (2)  Triumph Athletic 

Scorers: D.James, D.McKernan, R.Hobson(2)

This was a big game for us & the weather put the game in doubt, plus we had a scratch team to start the game…..just 11 players were available at the start of the day.

Cov Cedars started the day in 2nd place so we knew it would be a tough game but we started very brightly & had most of the ball in the first 10 minutes. Against the run of play Cedars were awarded a penalty which they converted & scored again on the break with a well taken goal 5 minutes later.

We had a feeling of recurrence after last weeks Cup exit where we did not play well but after this setback the game changed dramatically over the next 10 minutes of the first half. Luke Essex who was feeling unwell was replaced by tonsillitis ridden Kieran Doherty so we needed to shuffle the pack slightly. Triumphs were awarded a free kick about 25 yards out & Danny James struck a fantastic shot which the keeper very nearly held but it was too powerful & it crept over the line.

Triumph then swarmed all over the Cedars back line & it was evident that our boys were too powerful physically for the smaller Cedars team who were now being thoroughly outplayed. Our 2nd goal came 5 minutes before the break with Ryan Hobson looking very dangerous every time he got he ball taking on the right fullback & slotting home in the corner to give us a deserved equalizer before the half time whistle.

The 2nd half began much the same as the first with Cedars putting together some nice passing which we broke up easily & then counter attacked at will & from a Brad Hobson corner Derry McKiernan who hadn’t notched for a long time came in through the back to volley in past a crowd of players to put Triumph 3 – 2 up & well in control of the game. 10 minutes later the game was dead & buried with Ryan Hobson smashing a trademark goal past the helpless Cedars keeper.

For the next 15 minutes it was like the Alamo as Triumph pressed for the 5th goal & had Danny James & Jack Villette taken gift wrapped opportunities we would have taken a score line away with us which if I’m honest would not have flattered us one bit. The Cedars keeper made 4 outstanding saves which had us believing it was not to be, he was the Cedars man of the match by a mile & deservedly so.

With one minute to go we again couldn’t clear when the chance came & Cedars stroked home a 3rd goal from there tricky winger & it was his Hat trick with all 3 being taken well.

The final whistle came a minute later & the score line flattered Cedars a little but we are looking very good in the league at the moment. A great game which had the Cedars manager reflecting on how good the physical element of our game was, which we have lacked in the past 2 seasons.

A couple of thanks to give out….. Firstly to Kieran Doherty who wasn’t supposed to play as he had been ill for the previous 5 days with tonsillitis & what a difference this lad makes to this team, he plays his heart out every time he kicks the ball & the fact he turned up to help out is testament to the type of team we are trying to build here. Also Luke Essex who was clearly unwell in training & the game but played until he couldn’t carry on anymore.

And Tom Morris who wasn’t supposed to be there but turned up for the 2nd half & did well when he came on. And Brad Hobson & Kieran Killeen continue to give us polished performances every week & have added the patient left footed class we have been missing.

Everybody played extremely well & although I picked a few names out the Man of the Match went too Aiden Morris who started out at right back & then went into central midfield and performed brilliantly alongside Jordan Whitcroft. A super win for us which we must keep up if we are to get into the top 3 as we planned to at the start of the season.

Also let’s send our best wishes to our walking wounded, Aaron Pointer & Sean Nugent who are unwell & injured respectively & hope we see them back very soon. Well done everybody.

Steve King

U14S B Manager

16th Nov -  Amington   7 – 2    Triumph Athletic   (Tamworth Cup QF)

We were knocked out of the Tamworth cup on Sunday & we really can’t have any problems with the result. We made an awful start conceding 2 goals in the first 5 minutes & I thought it would be damage limitations from then on. But to our credit we took hold of the game & dominated the last 15 minutes of the first half scoring 2 goals to get us back in the tie. Having done this we decided to take some players off & get some of the boys who hadn’t got on to give them a game & to get some fresh legs on.

Unfortunately we couldn’t sustain the football we played & Amington scored 5 goals without reply against a tired looking Triumph. A couple of notable performances from Jordan Whitcroft who ran the first half & scored a belter from outside the penalty area to equalize. And a great 1st half performance from Brad Hobson who continues to play well on the left hand side….and in my infinite wisdom he was the reason we struggled in the 2nd half as I took him off at half time & looking back I should have kept him on as Amington didn’t know how to deal with him. We live & learn!!!

A couple of parents have rung me to ask if I was ok as they thought I looked gutted walking from the pitch…well that’s the way I am every time we lose to someone who I don’t think are better than my boys. I don’t think we gave it everything in the 2nd half &  we made life far to easy for the home team who I have to say are a very well organised side who went in for every challenge as if there life depended on it……do I like that? Yes I do. If we had done the same we may have made a game of it. Never mind as we move on to the league & try & catch up with our league games which we are now a few behind.

Thanks for everybody who made the trip Sunday as it is a long way to go to play football.

18th Oct - Stonydelph Boys  3 - 6  Triumph (R Hobson(3), B Hobson(2) Morris)

The boys had a good win in the Tamworth Invitation Trophy Saturday afternoon. We made hard work of a spirited side who never gave up even though they were always behind. The pitch was interesting having the biggest slope I’ve ever seen on a football pitch. Very windy as well to make it hard for the team playing up the slope. Some great football from Triumph was enough to see the Tamworth team off & us into the next round.

Some good goals too with the pick being Ryan Hobson’s 2nd half volley from 25 yds which flew pass the keeper at speed!! Also some good performances from Brad Hobson, Luke Essex & George Brownbill. Let’s hope we get a home tie in the next round, but I wouldn’t hold out much hope!!

12th Oct -   Triumph  4 - 4  Finham Park  (James (2), Docherty, A Morris)

We drew 4 – 4 with Finham Park Rangers. Our scorers were James (2), Docherty & A. Morris. A great game to watch from a neutral point of view but for us at Triumph it was torture. We dominated again for long periods of the game but couldn’t break them down. They also had a curse on the woodwork as we hit it no less than 8 times during the game.

We were never in front until 5 minutes from the end when Keiran Docherty steered a header in at the far post to send the Triumph supporters crazy but shabby defending undone us again as we failed to clear a simple ball lobbed in from a free kick & Finham got away with an unlikely point. A great game which the ref said was a credit to both clubs.

28th Sept -  Cov Jag   0 - 5   Triumph Athletic   (James(3), Hobson(2)

THE U14s B beat Cov Jaguar yesterday with a good 5-0 win. We played more than half the match with 10 players due to a spate of absentees…5 out for this game, and Luke Essex having to come off after 20 minutes. This made the performance even more pleasing as we were unsure how it was going to affect the team with that many players out. The Cov Jag goalkeeper had the game of his life as he stopped it being a cricket score in the 2nd half as he made save after save & had a great game. The Jag started really well & put us under pressure but never really troubled Sean Harvey’s goal & it wasn’t long before we took a grip of the game. Danny James scoring twice before the break with a well taken curling shot from the edge of the area & penalty just before half-time.

After the break Triumph dominated from the start & had it not been for the keeper the score line would have been even more emphatic. Danny James completed his hat trick & the hardworking Ryan Hobson getting a brace…..one of them a brilliant trap from the keepers goal kick which flicked up into the air which he then volleyed back over the keepers head…..a fantastic goal. The other a tap in from a Tom Morris header which the keeper could only parry to Ryan.

A great 2nd half performance which we thoroughly deserved to win & good confidence booster for the big one against Kings next week.

MOM – Kieran Killeen (Left back) a superb performance from one of our new boys…always looked assured when he had the ball & when he didn’t have it.  

21st Sept - Triumph Athletic   4 – 0    Chapelfields Colts (Blue)

Well it was all set up for a great game between 2 sides looking for there first win but in truth the game never got going until the last 15 minutes. Triumph always looked in control but couldn’t keep the ball long enough to do anything with it.

Chaps ran for every ball & closed us down really well which is why we struggled to play our normal fluent passing game.

The breakthrough came after 20 minutes & it was a great team goal with 4 players passing there way through the Chaps midfield & backline down the left hand side & the eventual square pass finding Aaron Pointer for his 1st goal of the day.

The 2nd half found us under some pressure for the first time & resulted in a penalty which was rightly given by the ref but Chaps squandered the chance & after that it was all Triumph as Pointer grabbed a deserved hat-trick & Ryan Hobson picked up the 4th with a trademark drive from the edge of the area.  

It was pleasing to see us win even though from a manager’s point of view we have played better & lost. Maybe this is a good sign that we can play this bad & win. Well done to all the lads and a big thanks to Adam Foster & Paul Essex who refereed & ran the line for me. And a big thanks to Chaps Blue for making the first game at home a memorable one with all the kids lining up at the end of the game to shake hands…..a great touch.

14th Sept - Chapelfields Colts   5 – 4   Triumph Athletic

(Ryan Hobson 2, Jordan Whitcroft, Kieran Docherty)

We got off to a losing start yesterday at Chapelfields Colts Red, the score in the end 5-4 to the hosts. Once again we dominated much of the game except for a 15 min period in the first half where we lost concentration & conceded 2 goals & we also missed a penalty, going in 3-1 at half time left us a lot to do in the 2nd half. The 2nd half was very much Triumph pressure as we sought to get back in to the game but we were hit by one counter attack & then a speculative overhead kick which I'm sure the Triumph keeper Sean Harvey will admit he should have saved, but then no-one was expecting a shot from where he was, least of all the keeper.

After that it was one way traffic & we pulled 2 late goals back & also missed an open net to level things up as Chaps at that stage were all over the place. The football was very good but some of our defending has again let us down. Some outstanding performances from a team with 5 new faces so it is early days yet & we will get a lot better. Some good performances, especially from the new boys, Kieran Docherty who is fast becoming the voice on the pitch & got a goal with a great header & Kieran Killeen who is playing really well at left back. Our keeper Sean Harvey has started well with some great performances in pre season but other than pick the ball out of the net 5 times didn’t have a save to make. And also a word for 2 lads from last season who did well yesterday, Ryan Hobson who hasn’t forgot how to score even though he wasn’t fully fit & Aaron Pointer who I thought was outstanding in the first half (work on your crossing Assa).

And finally a word for Danny James who was the victim of a scandalous challenge which could have seriously injured him, but he is ok. And also a word for the referee who I thought had a good game yesterday but could have made some decisions himself without having to endure the shall we say enthusiastic arm of the Chaps linesman. It is difficult enough for people to keep emotions at a level that is expected of them but sometimes we must for the good of the game. I’m guilty of that to!! So I ask all parents & coaches of The Triumph teams to let the Refs make their mind up when they are faced with a decision which could affect the outcome of the game.

Well done to all who played on Sunday.

Steve King

Chapelfield Colts Tournament

We took part in the Chaps festival on Saturday the 28th of June. We did very well in our 5 games & were very unlucky not to qualify for the semi-finals. The lads were superb for the 1st 4 games but after being told to play there last game straight after the 4th they ran out of steam & were well beaten by Athletic. A really great effort.

     Results: Triumph Athletic      1 - 0   AT7 Youth  

                                                0 - 0  Catshill Utd (Birmingham)

                                                5 - 0  Broadway    (Birmingham)

                                                1 - 0  Chapelfields Colts                   

                                                0 - 4  Athletic Utd

Thanks to everyone involved for making it Saturday.

Cheers

Steve King

End of Season Presentation Evening

The presentation evening was a great success, the awards were very kindly presented by Andy Blair.

2007/8 Awards

Manager's Player of the Season            Aaron Pointer

Player's Player of the Season                Daniel James

Most Improved Player                          Jack Emery

Top Goal Scorer                                  Ryan Hobson (33 Goals)

Personality Award                               Derry Mckernan