Sun 22 Feb: Crystal Palace Blues 3-6 Teddington Athletic (Surrey Cup Semi-Final)

For many teams, semi-final defeat doesn't just ruin a season: it can have even longer-lasting effects. The 7-1 World Cup annihilation by Germany prompted deep soul-searching in Brazil, while England's 1990 loss on penalties has prompted a generation or more to fear shootouts as if they featured not balls but bullets. 

Luckily for Teddington Athletic, they had the quickest possible opportunity to overcome defeat in the Capital Cup semi-final, with an immediate trip to Crystal Palace in the Surrey semis. This wasn't the Palace 'Reds' team currently battling for the Premier Division title, but the 'Blues' team who have already all but won Division One, having won 13 of their last 15 games.

With Teddington's game being followed by Palace Reds' clash with Wimbledon, the excellent facilities at Hillside Primary in Orpington were to host both semi-finals in succession. The first visitors were without one of their most potent players, Sinead Morris pulling out on the Saturday after struggling to kick a lingering cold. 

In came Amy Hallett, starting wide on the left but soon moving up front in a switch with the typically omnipresent Carla Novakovic. Also featuring in a classy midfield were Phoebe Head, Ella Dodd, Emily Coulson and Ella V, the latter also dropping into defence as necessary between Ella Parkinson-Mearns and the returning Saskia Brewster, with Ruby Rudkin earning a warm round of applause from her team-mates by agreeing to continue in goal. 

The early action was all up the other end. In the first minute Teddington almost benefited from a freak own-goal, as Jelly's first long throw of the day was headed desperately backwards and landed on the net roof. From the corner, Emily's shot from the edge was spilled by the goalkeeper and Carla almost snaffled the rebound. She'd be back soon enough to benefit from a similar situation.

After three successive Teddington corners, Palace served notice of their intentions by breaking through (looking suspiciously offside, although to his credit, linesman Simon Day quickly sought and received clarification of the law on deflected passes). In the event, Parky's dogged attention restricted the attacker to a relatively weak shot that Ruby tipped around the post.

However, in the seventh minute the pattern repeated and Palace benefited. Emily sent Phoebe clear down the right – another move that would later bear fruit – but on this occasion the goalkeeper parried and no visitor was there for the rebound; instead, Palace's clearance bypassed most of the players and sent their centre-forward through on goal. Though Ruby came out with typical fearlessness to save on the edge of the area, the rebound was tucked in despite Saskia's despairing attempted block.

A goal down, Teddington refused to panic, although they did perhaps rush themselves a little more than they needed: twice – once from a Carla lay-off, once from an intercepted clearance – Doddsy found herself just outside the D with time to pick a spot, but opted instead for powerful shots wafted off-target. 

Twelve minutes in, though, half the Teddington team combined for the equaliser. Receiving Jelly's quick short throw, Emily found Phoebe, whose devastating cross flew to the far post for Carla to bag her fourth goal of the season. The visitors were in the ascendant, with Jelly and Doddsy both carefully placing shots on target, and although Phoebe had to come off after being (accidentally) kneed in the groin, Sadie Day continued the good work out on the right. 

Even so, Teddington's next two goals came down the left flank, and both involved the ever-impressive Saskia Brewster. Although a week's holiday had left her perhaps slightly less fluent in defence than she might have liked (while still dealing calmly with problems arising), Sas is developing into an increasing threat in the opponents' half – a trait encouraged by a management team with one eye on the 11-a-side possibilities next season.  

Firstly, on 23 minutes, Sas's delightfully intelligent though-ball sent Amy scurrying toward Palace's area. Teddington's tiny terror up top, modelling a temporary gappy smile after knocking out most of a front tooth during her half-term holiday, was hassled all the way by a much bigger defender but stood her ground, got her body between ball and foe and won a free-kick a yard inside the bye-line and a yard outside the box. Emily stood over the ball, assessed her options and defied the tight angle to lash it in at the near post. 

Just before the half-hour, Teddington stretched their lead in similar circumstance. With Jelly about to take a corner, Sas burst out of the back line to effect the quick one-two; Jelly's first shot was blocked but she sent the rebound fizzing past the bewildered goalkeeper. 

The visitors reached half-time confident and in control, with Millie MacEacharn coming on to the left wing to replace Amy (Carla switching back up top). However, Palace emerged for the second period in determined mood and halved the deficit after five minutes, Ruby's brave block-tackle merely deflecting the ball to the big No.10 who slid home. Five minutes later, Palace again broke through – from a Teddington corner – and Ruby again came off her line to deny the No.10, but the equaliser was imminent. 

It came from the penalty spot, Parky rightly penalised for taking the attacker's standing leg and the spot-kick despatched into Ruby's bottom-left corner. With the home supporters roaring on their team, how would Teddington react?

Recognising his squad's strength in depth, manager Dave W immediately made a triple substitution. Millie Theobald replaced Parky in defence, Ale Fairn replaced Carla up top, and Sadie made way out right for the recovered Phoebe. 

Three minutes later, Teddington regained a lead they never again lost. Emily won the ball in midfield and supplied Doddsy, rampaging down the inside-right channel; her cross was deflected in by a defender desperately trying to stop it reaching the incoming trio of Ale, Millie Mac and Emily.

The Crystal Palace No.3 was a credit to her team, the finest left-back Teddington have faced all season, but substitutions had kept up the fitness levels and as Palace pressed, the visitors picked them off on the break. 

On 56 minutes, Emily broke through to the corner of the area but her cross to the back post was a little too fizzed for Millie Mac, who could only help it off for a goal kick – from which Phoebe collected the ball and calmly finished into the far corner. 

And in the dying minutes, Em sent Pheebs scampering clear to find the same corner again – her 10th of the campaign, making her the fourth Teddingtonian to reach double-figures.

And so, in only their second season, Teddington have reached a cup final. They will face Crystal Palace Reds, who out-manoeuvred Wimbledon in the other semi-final, witnessed by interested visitors from the TW postcode before completing the 85-mile round trip back from Kent to Middlesex. 

The Surrey Cup final will feature two fine teams, and Teddington deserve to be considered among the best in the county. Exactly how good will be determined in their remaining eight league games, to be crammed in by early May, including visits to Teddington by all three teams above them in the league: Wimbledon, Palace (twice) and current Abbey Rangers, in the next two fixtures at Bushy Park. An evolving (and elongating) season continues to get more and more eventful. 

TEDDINGTON ATHLETIC: Ruby Rudkin, Ella Parkinson-Mearns, Saskia Brewster, Ella V (1), Ella Dodd, Emily Coulson (1), Phoebe Head (2), Carla Novakovic (1), Amy Hallett. Subs: Millie Theobald, Millie MacEacharn, Sadie Day, Ale Fairn. +1og.

Sun 15 Feb: Teddington Athletic 0-2 Charlton Athletic (Capital Cup Semi-Final)

It's often said that semi-finals are harder than the finals themselves. The fear of falling at the final hurdle before the showpiece occasion; the fact that, with only four participants left in the competition, it's all but impossible to face an easy opponent; the glittering prize just out of reach, yet not close enough for the protagonists to be spurred on by a sense of destiny.

It's not yet known whether Charlton Athletic's U13 Girls will face Tottenham Hotspur or Alexandra Park in the final on May 10th, but they may look back on this game as a harder-fought victory. As a gracious post-match tweet from @CAFCWomen put it, this deserved to be the final.

Teddington's part in it was underlined by the fact that Charlton had little hesitation in naming goalkeeper Megan Slater as their Player of the Match. Although the final scoreline was 2-0 to the visitors, the second goal only came in time added on and the home side fully played their part in an absorbing spectacle. 

Resplendent in team tracksuits and matching backpacks – causing a surprising amount of envy from a home squad dressed in sponsored training tops and raincoats – Charlton had had trouble finding the ground, but they soon found Teddington in fighting form. 

Inside the opening minute, frontrunner Ale Fairn had had the first shot on target, albeit more accurate than powerful. And although Charlton soon pressed their own claims with a couple of corners, Teddington's twin terrors were finding joy down the wings. 

Despite scoring more than 70 goals between them over the last 18 months, both Phoebe Head and Sinead Morris have expressed a lack of self-belief in their own abilities. Against one of London's finest sides, they proved themselves worthy of terrifying any opponent. Phoebe starred throughout, mixing silky ball skills with diligent determination. 

On 9 minutes she tracked back to win the ball on halfway, turned and burned away from her full-back – but with Sinead, Ale and Emily Coulson tearing into the middle, the goalkeeper came out to claim the cross. Eight minutes later, Em outwitted the big centre-back and played in Phoebe for a shot just about gathered by the goalkeeper. Two minutes after that, Pheebs reverted to creator and this time Ale met her cross, but once again the goalkeeper thwarted Teddington. 

In between, Charlton showed the pedigree that has seen them win every single one of their competitive games this season, piling up 70 goals in 12 victories. Once again deputising in goal, reluctant goalkeeper Ella V twice saved goalbound shots, once with her hands and once with her feet. 

In front of Jelly was a new-look back three. With Saskia Brewster away, Ella Dodd dropped back between Ella Parkinson-Mearns and Millie Theobald, and the trio did their club proud. So did Carla Novakovic, prowling defensive midfield and dispossessing players 18 inches taller then her, while fellow midfielder Emily also epitomised Teddington's rediscovered determination to work for the team without repressing her natural creativity. 

However, it was Charlton who took the lead on the half-hour. A couple of minutes earlier, Jelly had come out bravely for a bouncing ball on the edge of the area and received an accidental but painful whack. She was still feeling the effects when Charlton sent a long-ball down their left, nodded on for impressive centre-forward Kaylie Wilson to despatch well into the bottom corner past the wincing goalkeeper. 

Teddington immediately went back on the attack and enjoyed their most positive half-time team-talk in months – no subs, no changes, just more of the same hard work and athletic creativity. 

Four minutes after the break, the home side had their bast chance yet. Phoebe having been blocked from reaching a through-ball, Teddington had a free-kick right on the edge of the area; Emily's shot was cleared off the line and Carla fired the rebound just over. 

Not that the away side were shrinking from the task. Two minutes later they hit the bar, capitalising on confusion after Jelly opted to clear with her feet rather than gather with her hands. 

Using an outfield player as goalkeeper does have its benefits, as demonstrated in the 49th minute. Having saved well, Jelly calmly laid Phoebe in down for yet another scintillating run down the right side, and although the goalkeeper pushed the cross clear, it fell to Carla to fizz a shot of controlled menace just over the bar. 

Still on top with 20 minutes to go, Teddington started to pose new tactical questions of their illustrious opponents. First Sadie Day came on to replace Ale, who had run herself to standstill. Then Charlton had to deal with Jelly. 

As Teddington have spent the vast majority of the season without a recognised goalkeeper, the manager's daughter has been pressed into service and never complained. Well, perhaps just a little bit. But although Jelly's performances between the sticks have belied her novice status there, she is also one of Teddington's best outfield players, and the team instantly look more composed and controlling with her on the ball. 

This time, her replacement was Ruby Rudkin. Rubes has also had a difficult season, missing much of it with injury: she hasn't played in three months. But she has never lacked for courage, and with her rugby background giving her excellent hand-eye co-ordination it made sense to ask her to don the gloves. To her great credit, she willingly agreed – and seemed to relish helping out her team-mates. 

With Millie T off to accommodate Ruby, Teddington essentially switched to a back two of Parky and Carla, with Doddsy pushing further forward and Jelly dropping into defence if need be. On one such occasion Jelly again took the full force of a strong but fair challenge; picking herself up to win the drop-ball, she spread it wide to Phoebe who shot just wide of the near post. In the next attack Pheebs fed Emily but the rather snatched shot lacked power.

By now Teddington were dominant and Charlton desperately reorganising. When a long-throw caused havoc and was half-cleared, Jelly fed Phoebe for a long shot tipped over; from the corner, Sadie's six-yard shot was tipped wide for another flag-kick, which sped across the goalmouth and agonisingly inches away from Sinead – and although Jelly once again fired it goalwards, the ball was cleared…

…and Charlton were on the attack, suddenly breaking through Teddington's high back-line and raring through on goal. Out came Ruby, feisty and fearless, with such speed that she met the striker just outside the area – and block-tackled her, at considerable painful cost to herself. Even so, she pledged to carry on – not just for the rest of the game, but into the future: an honourable offer, made for the benefit of the team… and if she continues to play sweeper-keeper with such perception and bravery, her team will be all the stronger for it. 

The game was summed up in the final minute of normal time. Teddington sent Phoebe haring down the right, and her excellently-judged cross was met in the middle, this time by Doddsy. Now the team's joint second-top scorer, Doddsy knows perfectly well where the net is – and judged her shot perfectly, side-footing with considerable power straight towards to the top corner. However, flying across her goal went Megan Slater, not only stopping the ball but catching it and setting up a breakaway – and from the resultant corner, Kaylie Wilson cleverly scored again to make it 2-0.

Even so, Teddington flew forward and forced a flag-kick, from which Doddsy yet again got a shot on target and Megan Slater again saved. Fittingly, the universally acknowledged Player of the Match had the final touch, and the referee's whistle prompted great celebrations from the travelling contingent – followed very swiftly by genuine, unprompted acclamation of the home side's part in a fantastic game. 

Teddington can be proud of their run to the last four of the London-wide Capital Cup – and they have the swiftest possible chance to expunge the pain of semi-final defeat when they travel to Crystal Palace Blues for the Surrey Cup semi. 

With more players returning to the squad, Ruby's re-emergence offering the chance for Jelly to make her mark outfield, a host of other talented players and, most importantly, a renewed team ethic, Teddington can look forward to an exciting end to their second season. 

TEDDINGTON ATHLETIC: Ella V; Ella Parkinson-Mearns, Ella Dodd, Millie Theobald, Carla Novakovic, Emily Coulson, Phoebe Head, Ale Fairn, Sinead Morris. Subs Ruby Rudkin, Sadie Day. 

@TAFCU13GIRLS Thanks for a great game & good luck for the rest of the season #DeservedToBeTheFinal #TalentedTeam #cawfc
— CharltonAthletic WFC (@CAFCWomen) February 15, 2015

Well done to goalie Megan our Player of Match in y/days Capital U13 Cup semi #SomeGreatSaves All the team played brilliantly @megenlynch1
— CharltonAthletic WFC (@CAFCWomen) February 16, 2015

Teddington Athletic announce two new girls' teams

Two new squads…

Teddington Athletic are looking toward the future with exciting developments at squad and club level.  

Teddington Athletic are looking to start two new girls' squads for next season, starting in September 2015. These age groups will be Under-10 (school year 4 and 5) and Under-12 (school year 6 and 7).

The club will seek to place both teams in a Sunday league but do not yet know on which evening training will take place. Practice and trials will take place after Easter, with specific details to come by the end of February.

If you know of any young girls interested in playing for a great local club that provides a fun and safe environment and excellent professional coaching every week, then please contact TAFC Director of Football Dave Waldron for more details – including each girl's name, date of birth and school.

TAFC interested in Udney Park playing fields

A Home Ground at last?

Teddington Athletic Football Club has submitted an expression of interest in the Udney Park Playing Fields, which landowners Imperial College have begun a sale process.

There are two main reasons for the interest in the playing fields. Firstly, the club is very short of pitch space, and have frequently not been able to find alternatives to accommodate the close to 100 players currently on the waiting lists. Secondly, as local residents, TAFC wish to help protect an area of green space under considerable threat from property developers, and the club's involvement in the process can hopefully help protect the facility even if TAFC is not the preferred bidder.

TAFC propose to make the fields a community resource managed by the club but available for use by local schools and other sports clubs, many of whom are backing the bid, as is local MP and Business Secretary Vince Cable.

If the expression of interest gains enough traction, the club may be asked to develop a formal offer – a significant task in terms of effort and money. Grants and charity support are available, but TAFC would also need to raise cash directly.

The club will continue to keep people informed as things develop, but at this stage, the best thing players and parents can do is discuss the idea with other local residents, with the aim of generating as much local interest as possible in keeping this facility available for the community.

Sun 8 Feb: Teddington Athletic 2-1 Colne Valley

Seven days after being turned over on their own turf by South Park, Teddington reassembled to take on Colne Valley, valiantly propping up the Premier Division after one win all season. Had lessons been learned?

Yes and no. Athletic won, and were good value for it, but once again they were far from dominant against a side whom they had previously beaten on seven occasions – 6-1, 12-1, 8-1, 2-0, 6-2, 2-1 and 4-0.

Actually, that's a little unfair – last season's four wins were against Colne Valley's reserves side, the Blues, as Teddington blazed their way through the third tier in their debut season. 

In the top flight, however, there are no poor teams. Although Colne are bottom, they rarely lose by many: since early November, when they pushed Athletic all the way in a 2-1 loss, only one of their league defeats has been by more than three goals. 

Trouble is, Teddington sometimes seem to think they can get away without the hard work upon which any good team is built. And having tried the hair-dryer in previous games, manager Dave tried a little demonstration instead.

Teddington started slightly the brighter side, with Phoebe Head a particular threat from the right. Ale Fairn was recalled up front and Millie Mac given a start on the left ahead of Sinead Morris, who was fighting a cold; Ella Dodd was put on patrol in front of defensive duo Millie Theobald and Saskia Brewster, with Sophie Wallman and Emily Coulson making up the outfielders and stand-in goalkeeper Ella V dearly wishing she could join them. 

The first 20 minutes were flowing and even – far more so than you might imagine considering the 19-point gap between the teams. Indeed Colne came nearest to scoring when, instead of letting the ball roll into the hands of the outrushing Jelly, Millie T inexplicably tapped it back, leading to an indirect free-kick fired just wide. 

When, a minute later, Colne ran through the thinning Teddington ranks relatively unchallenged, it was time for a triple substitution – Ella Parkinson-Mearns replacing Doddsy, Amy Hallett coming on for Emily and Sadie taking Phoebe's right-wing slot. 

With their top four goalscorers all on the sidelines, Teddington now had just about the smallest, least experienced team they could field… and they were immediately noticeably better, working hard for each other, retaining the shape and looking to build attacks as passing moves. The point was made and the lesson was learned: nobody walks into this side, and anybody strolling around will soon be kicking their heels on the sideline. 

Teddington were much the better side in the second half. On for Millie Mac, Sinead steamed down the left and crossed, but neither Ale nor Sadie could get there; Sadie took the resultant corner short to Parky, who found Emily to blaze just wide. 

Still, though, Teddington couldn't make the breakthrough. With 15 minutes to go, Jelly was released from goal – replaced by Macca with Amy sacrificed – and the home side grew even more threatening. 

However, when the breakthrough came – with 10 minutes left – it was started by another Ella and finished by a third. Although she had switched into the backline, Parky was still progressive enough to look up and assess her options. Noting Sinead ready to run, she played a perfect controlled ball into the path of the winger, who laid over a cross that centre-forward Doddsy dispatched. 

Teddington doubled their lead with perhaps their best goal of the season so far, a true team effort. Digging back into defence and almost on her own goal-line, Phoebe won the ball and sprinted forward, looking to build through midfield with Emily; when the No.99 couldn't turn inside, she instead returned the ball to Pheebs, who found her mate Jelly patrolling the centre circle. With excellent awareness and teamwork, Jelly spread the ball left to Sinead, whose run and cross ended with a defender – under pressure from Doddsy – slicing into her own goal. A real pass-and-move goal, this was Teddington at their finest. 

It was also the insurance they needed when Colne halved the deficit a minute later. Doggedly tracking back to prevent an attacker an easy run on goal, Parky was adjudged to have passed back rather than tackled, and this time Colne were able to convert the indirect free-kick from around the penalty spot.  

Still, Teddington held on for a welcome win. As they head into successive weekends of cup semi-finals, they remain just about in touch with two of the three teams above them and largely in charge of their own destiny. Palace are six points clear of them with the same games played, but have two outstanding trips to Teddington; Abbey are seven points away but have played three times more, and again have two trips to Teddington – currently scheduled for immediately after the cup double-header. An interesting month awaits. 

TEDDINGTON ATHLETIC: Ella V, Millie Theobald, Saskia Brewster, Ella Dodd (1), Sophie Wallman, Emily Coulson, Phoebe Head, Ale Fairn, Millie MacEacharn. Subs Ella Parkinson-Mearns, Sadie Day, Amy Hallett, Sinead Morris. +1og.