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.
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