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
Well,played girls shame about the result. Hoping for a result tomorrow
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