Teddington cross the halfway point of their 15-game league season with a game against their closest rivals. Kempton Girls have played six games (to Teddington's seven) and only lost one - the 4-2 home defeat to Teddington in late September.
That match - the report's here - was the closest Teddington have come to not winning a game. Phoebe Head's opener was fortuitous, and Kempton's equaliser was followed by a period of pressure in which the home side could easily have gone in front, as the visitors tended to dribble rather than pass and somewhat stopped playing as a team.
As it was, Teddington got back in front and withstood an improved second-half showing from Kempton, but they will need to be on their guard this weekend. Complacency is always a threat, but it's also worth noting that in that earlier game Kempton were without their star player.
That loss aside, Kempton have played four times and won them all, conceding just one goal and scoring at least 24. The record shows they started by beating Colne Valley 9-1 and Abbey Rangers 3-0; after that Teddington defeat, they again beat Colne 4-2 and received a walkover against Guildford Saints before beating Abbey 8-0. It's worth remembering that the first and last recorded results may have been limited by the league's ban on wins of more than eight goals. Make no mistake, these are good opponents.
That loss aside, Kempton have played four times and won them all, conceding just one goal and scoring at least 24. The record shows they started by beating Colne Valley 9-1 and Abbey Rangers 3-0; after that Teddington defeat, they again beat Colne 4-2 and received a walkover against Guildford Saints before beating Abbey 8-0. It's worth remembering that the first and last recorded results may have been limited by the league's ban on wins of more than eight goals. Make no mistake, these are good opponents.
Teddington are also weakened by absence. Goalkeeper Charlotte Ward is again out, as are midfield battlers Sophie Wallman and Sadie Day, not to mention second-top goalscorer Amy Hallett. Given those withdrawals, the squad picks itself: Millie MacEacharn, Ella Parkinson Mearns, Millie Theobald, Saskia Brewster, Ella V, Ruby Rudkin, Emily Coulson, Sinead Morris, Phoebe Head and Ale Fairn. It's a 10am kick-off so please meet on Bushy Park at 9.15am SHARP for what will need to be a very focused warm-up session.
If Teddington win this game, they will be nine points clear with seven games left. If they lose, they will only be three points clear - with Kempton having a game in hand. It's in Teddington's hands, but they need to get their minds on the game quickly.
