Sun 13 Oct: Abbey Rangers (H) 14-0

Mr Francis Sinatra one remarked that although it's nice to go travelling, it's so much nicer to come home. After spending five weeks on the road due to the unavailability of the cricket club pitch, Teddington Athletic played host for the first time and continued in their usual fashion - with a win.

In truth, Bushy Park has been much more hospitable than it was on this rainswept morning. When it's cold and dry, extra undershirts can keep the cockles warm, but nothing can protect you against driving rain. But Teddington Athletic Under-12 Girls are made of stern stuff, and having knuckled down to the conditions, they started as they meant to go on.

First half: Moist

With Sinead Morris suffering a stomach bug and Millie McEacharn unavailable, Phoebe Head switched from the right wing to the left; within 90 seconds she had opened the scoring, quickly doubling it by looping a shot over the stranded goalkeeper.

She was soon joined on the scoresheet by her good friend Ella V. Making only her second start of the season, Ella looked completely at home in the centre of a five-girl midfield. With usual right-back Ella Parkinson-Mearns out with the wrist injury picked up at Guildford, manager Dave W shuffled his pack and employed a new formation, switching from the usual 3-4-1 to a 2-5-1 which was in effect a 2-3-3 when Teddington were in possession… which was often. 

In front of the typically impressive defensive double-act of Saskia Brewster and Millie Theobald, Ella V anchored a fluid midfield featuring the effervescent Sophie Wallman and the intelligent Emily Coulson, while Phoebe and Amy Hallett provide the width and back-up for ever-willing front-runner Ale Fairn. 

Second half: Damp

When sole sub Ruby Rudkin came on, she slotted effortlessly into the system and quickly scored, celebrating with her usual joie de vivre: nobody loves scoring more than the combative midfielder. By that time, Phoebe had completed her hat-trick with what she admitted was a "rubbish goal" - nice when you can afford to disregard some - and Amy had hit a quickfire double as Teddington continued to stretch the game and the opponents in their usual way, scoring from flowing team moves. Ale's well-deserved finish made it 8-0 at half-time.

A moist half-time team-talk was enlivened by Charlotte Ward handing the goalkeeper's top to Ella V, as ever itching to get involved in any way possible. It's to Ella's credit that Teddington maintained their clean sheet in the second half, with the pass-and-move ethos now stretching all the way back to the goalkeeper. 

TAFC Ultras: Phoebe's dad and Ella PM

As for Charlotte, she found herself thrown into outfield action during the second half and surprised everyone by bagging a couple of goals in quick succession, showing such determination that she accidentally injured Ruby in the course of the first. By then Ruby had bagged her second and was reasonably content to limp off, although she did reveal on the sidelines that "I haven't scored a hat-trick in weeks". 

Phoebe certainly has - another double early in the second half made it five for the day, 14 for the season - while Amy completed her own treble late in the game, to the amused disappointment of those supporters willing her to set up a goal for the deserving Emily. Amy apologised for not passing, but Emily, typically, was self-effacing and unselfish. Always looking for the best pass, she did her family proud - as did all the girls. 

"Race you back to the clubhouse!"

Tougher tasks await. Next week's visitors are Caterham Pumas, who since their no-show against Teddington have won their two games, scoring 13 goals and only conceding 1; then it's Kempton Girls, who have won all three games except the one Teddington somewhat fortuitously won 4-2 in the absence of Kempton's star striker. 

If those two teams can be beaten on Bushy Park, then Teddington will be on maximum points after playing 9 of their scheduled 15 games, and can truly start to consider promotion. Complacency is a key enemy, but if the girls continue to pass and move, they could go a long way indeed.  

TEDDINGTON ATHLETIC (2-5-1): Charlotte Ward (2); Millie Theobald, Saskia Brewster; Amy Hallett (3), Sophie Wallman, Ella V (1), Emily Coulson (c), Phoebe Head (5); Ale Fairn (1). Sub: Ruby Rudkin (2). 10am, Teddington Cricket Club.

(Images to follow later when the league table's updated and the phone's dried out...)