Sun 20 Mar (2): Teddington Athletic 1-1 Abbey Rangers

After a brief break for Jaffa cakes and praise, Teddington restarted with the XI that finished the first game, save for Emily Bashford replacing Carla Novakovic – who cheekily asked “We’ve beaten them once, can’t we just go home?” but later re-entered the fray with typical energy.



As expected, Abbey Rangers started the rematch in determined style, breaking through Teddington’s defensive ranks after two minutes but dragging it wide of the post. They took the lead on four minutes, with an effort from distance that seemed to surprise the kicker as much as the keeper; considering it was side-footed, it was either an underplayed masterpiece or an overenthusiastic attempt to get the ball back in the mixer.



Teddington didn’t panic, held firm and started to create their own chances. In the 16th minute a long ball from Emily C surprised the goalkeeper, who unluckily underestimated the bounce on the hardening pitch; however, Ale – who had been showcasing some lovely centre-forward play, holding up the ball and laying it off – had already stopped running, so the goalkeeper was able to recover the situation. It served as an indication, if any were needed, of why manager Dave Waldron is forever shouting “GAMBLE!”.



Again, Teddington refreshed their legs at the halfway point. First Doddsy and Phoebe replaced Emily C and Macca, then Carla replaced Amy – indomitable in defensive midfield, but ready for a rest after a hard hour’s work – and Ale made way for Boz.

The former Wimbledon striker has scored in more games this season than any other Teddington player, and she immediately made a difference, creating the 26th-minute equaliser. Running at a suddenly startled centre-back, she forced the error and the ball broke to the supporting runner Phoebe, who hammered it high past the helpless goalkeeper. No question of her intent here: this was a top-class, top-corner finish from the top scorer.



Going into the final 15 minutes, the game was finely balanced and flowing from end to end. Abbey turned up the pressure, especially at set-pieces – rarely can a girls’ team be so drilled on corners – but Teddington defended bravely and resolutely, and even on the two occasions that the visitors managed to get a shot on target, Ruby parried excellently.



With five minutes left, Teddington sent Emily Coulson back on for Bash, and the previous game’s hat-trick hero was soon into the action. Cutting inside from the left, she sent through a ball that Boz coukdn’t quite stretch to, and was then invvolved in the day’s closing drama.

At the climax of a move down the left, a through-ball into the area hit a defender’s outstretched hand. The referee pointed to the spot… until he noticed the flag was up for offside. Can you be interfering without receiving the ball or being in the goalkeeper’s eyeline? If so, the striker was offside for that split-second.



A second Teddington win, though welcome, would have been a touch harsh on Abbey, who deserved a share of the spoils in the second game. A well-organised team, a physical presence without being in any way dirty, they had previously only been beaten by runaway leaders Crystal Palace Reds but found themselves blown away in the first game by the home team’s footballing prowess. In one lunchtime session they conceded as many goals as they had against all their opponents (bar Palace Reds) since November.

In some respects, this was Teddington’s greatest day so far. Adapting to a new tactical system, they started brilliantly to streak away from dangerous opponents, demonstrated mature game management to close out the first game, then came back determinedly from a goal down to deserve a draw in the second.

A special note to the back four, who played the legal maximum 80 minutes without notably tiring, perhaps thanks to the indefatigable protection of the rotating squad of midfielders in front of them.

And so to the USA, for a long-planned Tampa Tour. The girls are grateful and excited to be going on such an amazing tour, and they have responded with one of their best performances yet. Long may such shows continue, because when they fly back across the Atlantic, they will still be part of a bunfight for the runners-up spot.



At the moment, the four teams behind Palace Reds are separated by just four points. Teddington hold second place with 31 points from 18 games. As well as another trip to Palace Reds, they have to play Wimbledon home and away. It’s a big ask but also a big opportunity for a Teddington side coming into form. The Dons, although reigning champions, aren’t the force they were; having been held by Fleet Town for the third time this season, they are now three points behind Teddington with three games in hand. They also face a potentially crucial double-header with Abbey.

For their part, Abbey – who finished third last season – are now fifth, four points behind Teddington with four games in hand. But besides that double-header with Wimbledon, they also have next week’s trip to Maidenhead, the league newcomers whose last three games have been a narrow 1-0 loss at Palace Reds, a 2-1 win over Wimbledon and last week’s 2-2 draw at Abbey. The Berkshire side sit two points behind Teddington on the same number of games, and they also have to face Palace Reds again.

It adds up to a four-way shootout between four different but capable teams. It is to Teddington’s credit that they can maintain themselves in such company. The memories of the opening-day 6-2 defeat to Abbey has been exorcised: next up, Wimbledon.

TEDDINGTON ATHLETIC Ruby Rudkin, Anna Kauffmann, Ella Waldron, Millie Theobald, Saskia Brewster, Amy Hallett, Millie MacEacharn, Liz Kriebel, Emily Coulson, Emily Bashford, Ale Fairn. Subs: Carla Novakovic, Ella Dodd, Phoebe Head (1), Ella Bothamley, Ella Parkinson-Mearns (not used).