Collins powers his way into TPC Semi Final

James Pugh V Billy Collins

James Pugh (4) V (8) Billy Collins


Billy Collins became the second semi finalist in the Team Picker Cup as his side proved too strong for James Pugh's side with a 8-4 win.

TPC officials will be concerned however that this game was the second in a row  to be shrouded in controversy - again with a goal line clearance, and this time with a different method in setting which player picks first. The rules state that the contestant who received the lowest number in the draw picks first but in this game the order was decided by coin toss, to which both contestants agreed. The coin toss fell in Collins' favour giving him first pick, when according to the rules it should gone to Pugh.

A small victory - Greg's second game not being picked last!

In footballing matters, Team Pugh got off to a flyer after a horrendous mistake by Team Billy which left a one-on-one with the keeper. Team Billy passed the ball well but seemed to lack that cutting edge in front of goal. They seemed to find greater potency on the counter attack and then marched on a goal blitz scoring 5 goals with no reply. Half time came and Team Pugh needed to climb a real Everest of a mountain to come back from 5-1.

Hear me roar!

The game continued to move in waves in the second half as it was time for Team Pugh to show their metal. It was clear that their team talk wasn't all about the oranges and self pity, as they looked like men on a mission to win the game for their captain. They pegged Team Billy back to 5-4 and now looked on course to tie the game. In their great comeback they also claimed that a flick-over shot by Tom which beat the keeper actually passed the goal line as it hit the netting. However the defence ruled it out so the goal wasn't given, similar to last week's incident for Team Gaji. With the single goal cushion making them sweat, Team Billy finally started to find their feet and the game drifted back into their favour with three more goals to kill the game off. Full time score 8-4.

Collins knew his side stared at the abyss and almost fell straight in, so he certainly felt that he was the luckiest man on the pitch. He thanked each member of his team and talked down his own performance and role that night, stating they pulled him through the tense second half of the game. Pugh, in true character, was dignified in defeat.


The win for Collins means that only two players have actually been on the winning side in the last two fixtures - Joe Newbury and Gareth O'Neill. What a fair lady Fate should be to pit these two players against each other in the next quarter final, where only one player will have won all three matches. The winner of this game will face Jon Ridout in the semi finals.            

Team Pugh - (Clockwise from left - Paul, Luco, Greg, Stu, Tom, Pugh)

Team Billy (Clockwise from left - Joe, G, Chris, Gaji, Paul, Billy)

It's gonna be so BIG!

So the next game will be the big man himself; Gareth "Big G" O'Neill up against, the other big man; Joe 'Shabba' Newbury.

We, here at TTFE Team Picker Cup Headquarters do not know how this will go down or who will come out on top, but we do know it's going to be BIG and will decide who plays against our first TPC game winner Jon Ridout in the first of the semi-finals.

Before we get to that though, we need to take a look forward to this 3rd quarter final. In the latest we've heard, Joe is favourite to win having inspired teams in the past with chants such as;

"If you lose it, get it back!"

But that's not to say Joe is the only one to bring a catch phrase into this clash, Big G has been known for one or 2 himself!;

"Argghhh, F***ing C***!"

So, knowing the passion O'Neill brings to every game; we can only assume it's going to start off as a heated affair, continue to increase in intensity as the game goes on and all end in tears... the only real questions remaning are....

Who's tears?!
Will there be another controversial goal?
and;
Who will be taking on Jon Ridout in the semi-final!

It's a close one!

... and we're not just talking about the score line.

In the game between Billy Collins and James Pugh where Billy had first pick despite it originally being Pugh's (some confusion before the game resulted in a coin toss being the deciding factor!) the weather was almost as close as the score line!

I'm sure there is a full match report coming from our normal author but for now, let's just say it was a good one!

The 'Nice Guy' Quarter Final draws near

We are now only 24 hours away from the second Team Picker Cup Quarter Final between Billy Collins and James Pugh, in what will surely be an interesting encounter to see who will be the second player to reach the semi finals.

Tally ho old chap, I say - one should keep it in their pants! 

In what is being dubbed as the 'Nice Guy' Quarter Final due to the gentlemanly nature of both opponents, both Collins and Pugh have been true to form in their pre match interviews with much respect for one another. Both have also given very little away regarding their chosen strategy or tactics for the game.

In a bizarre twist of fate however there were reports earlier today that Pugh's email account had been hacked. Police are currently looking into the matter and so far have ruled out any link to his opponent Collins. Unconfirmed reports stated that Collins was 'desperate for tactical information'. Collins has since released a statement vehemently denying any involvement with the hacking.

The media has been particularly interested in the goalkeeping element to the competition as for the first time a proven keeper, Collins, will be in contention. It is not a hidden fact that players are keen to have a good goalkeeper on their team to ensure reliability and stability between the sticks, but for Collins the problem of acquiring a keeper isn't relevant. This factor is certainly not lost on Pugh, who has drawn attention to it. It also means that Collins does have a slight advantage especially on the picking front.

Pugh stated: "Never easy when one pickers a natural goaly, it's going to be hard". He also went on to give an indication that he'll be looking for dedicated players and not those who will bury their head in the sand. "I'll be working my ass off to try and overcome this, and hopefully I'll have a bunch that'll join me in the challenge."

I just can't see why the odds are so high...

Collins has been made slight favourite by the bookies and pundits suggest it will be a tight affair. However the mood in the Bridgend Valleys, where Pugh is currently residing, is certainly optimistic. One punter from Nantymoel said: "I reckon Jimmy Pugh will see it through! Ha ha, that rhymed!". Meanwhile in Cardiff, amidst the Olympic fever hitting the capital, a flurry of bets have gone down on Collins to reach the semi finals. Although we believe from the people we spoke to that they were confused - they were convinced he was one of the Team GB Olympic cyclists as they saw him riding around on his fancy bicycle. And who could blame them!

Pugh's Hotmail Hacked

In the build up to the big game this Thursday, James Pugh's hotmail account has been hacked.

Rumours are that Billy Collins Utd. Enthusiasts were interested in espianage to see if there were any team ideas stored here.

James Pugh is yet to comment but it is believe that he will deny any information about the TPC would have been stored in there, let alone found!

Ridout edges out Gaji in thrilling TPC opener

Gareth Jenkins (5) V (6) Jon Ridout

Jon Ridout progresses to the semi finals of the TTFE Team Picker Cup after a hard-fought 6-5 victory over Gareth 'Gaji' Jenkins in the tournament's opening game. 

In what was an absorbing game between evenly matched teams, both contestants prior to picking their sides gave  little indication of any strategy or a particular tactic in which players they would pick first. Each team however boasted an even balance of a keeper, defence and attack, with both Gaji and Jon's playing the latter position. 

It was stalemate for a long period with both sides having a fair share of the scoring opportunities. It was Gaji's team which opening the scoring and also managed to gather a 3-1 lead. Jon's team clawed a goal back before half time to make it 3-2. The quality of football was unbelievably high with great passing, a high tempo and determined efforts from both sides.

In the second half Gaji's side continued to dominate by keeping the single goal cushion over Jon's team. As bodies tired, Team Jon looked to lack that scoring threat as they entered their opponent's half. Although with frustration festering and precious time ticking away, Jon's side mustered the resolve to peg the game back to 5-5, then take the lead for the first time to make it 6-5. 

To add to the drama of the game, controversy came in the form of a goal line clearance in Jon's half. In the dying minutes the ball looked to touch the net and Team Gaji immediately claimed the important equalising goal. In these situations both sides need to agree on whether the ball passes over the line and no agreement could be made, meaning the score stayed 6-5. Jon's side finished the victors as the pendulum swung cruelly against Gaji, who looked to be favourite to progress throughout the game. 

It was a bitter sweet end to the match, which although was a great game to play, players could not help but to be sympathetic to Gaji who looked forlorn in defeat. Meanwhile Jon offered a hand to each of his opponents and a big thanks to the members of his team for their final effort in swiping an impressive win. He will now play either Joe Newbury or Gareth O'Neill in Game 3 of the competition.     

Team Gaji: (clockwise from left) Peter, Callum, Gaji, Paul, Pugh, Billy, Chris 

Team Jon: (clockwise from left) Stu, Gareth, Greg, Tom, Mike, Joe, Jon 

  

Ridout? No, Rid-IN!

Jon Ridout

So Jon Ridout (left) has taken the first victory of the first game of the first round of the first ever Team Picker Cup!

Jon's team won it in an intense game where opponent Gareth "Gaji" Jenkins put up a valiant effort to take victory. Gaji's team had led the game all the way through up until the last 5-10 minutes when it all went wrong, or right depending on your viewpoint.

Either way, I'm sure a match report will follow from other editors/publishers but this writer is all about looking forward and wondering who get's the next set of bragging rights in the next game James Pugh vs Billy Collins.

BIGG News!

Gareth 'Big G' O'Neill will be taking the place of Germon!

I'm sure there will be more to follow, but for now, just know you read it here first!

Germon-y Out BEFORE penalties?!

Dave Germon falls even before the first game having stated he is now OUT unless stated, this free's up a place for a new entry or means Joe 'Shabba' Newbury will get a by to the Semi's without even having to work for it!

Some have expressed outrage at this potential situation;


Newbury through without having to play for it! Disgusting! I didn't think he'd even muster a team that could score a goal or stop a shot!


Others have been more kind about Joe's chances however they have asked not to be quoted because they are in fact, fictitious people!

... and a final comment from this reporter...

How can Joe get a by, he only got married last week?! It's time lift dealt him a slap to take that grin off his face, how about Chris 'the odds on favourite' Phillips gives him a pasting in the final... I think that sounds likely!

Countdown to Team Picker Cup begins!

It's fever pitch down TTFE at the moment as the first ever Team Picker Cup is only a few days away. Starting this Thursday, eight brave combatants will strategise, exercise and fantasise in an attempt to get their hands on a brand new T-Shirt especially made for the occasion! To add to the pressure it's knockout from the off so it's make or break in every game, with each key decision potentially meaning it's time to be a champion.. or it's curtains for you.

The opening fixture promises to be an explosive encounter with mean attendance streak Gaji facing the returning Ridout, fresh from a short absence. Who will prevail? Who will prove to pick the right team and then will have the nous to lead their team to glory?

The banter is already rife in the forum. True to form, Chris has already staked his claim to the cup by predicting he will defeat Gaji in the final. Jon has bounced back stating that without him on Gaji's team, there's no way the opposition will get the better of him! Check out the forum now to get involved...

So who do you think will lift the trophy?