Bondy's notes from Fleet

We just keep improving and our performances are proof of that. No one can tell me any different: we have the hardest-working team in the league, the best group of girls. There is not a manager or coach that has a group of players with the commitment, passion, desire and willingness to learn more than this team. We have the best group of players in the league; it's up to us to make the league table prove that point.

A hard-earned point
We were very aware Sunday's game was going to be hard. Feet Town are a physical team with lots of pace. To get anything from Sunday's game we had to dig deep and match Fleet physically. We did that for 83 minutes. I felt we competed all over the pitch. We have very strong players in the side that can bully any team, we have players that can turn defences inside out with their skill and beat anyone, and we have players with their pace that can terrify defenders. The players have started to realise their full potential. We are starting to see the natural brilliant potential our players have in abundance.

The hard work is paying off 
What is unique about our girls they all set very high standards. Gary’s mantra “Do the next thing right" has become very important we have a set of players that want to do the right thing get very disappointed when they don't get things right. To see the hard work in training come off in a live game is truly incredible. We want to play football; we want to disorganise an organised defence with our creative passing and movement. I really hope you can see and appreciate the hard work the girls are putting into their football. I hope you can see what type of football we are looking to play.

Canada geese: The V formation
Before the game I got the girls to stand in a V-shape, a formation Canada geese use to fly hundreds of miles per day. The birds can only reach their destination if they keep to the formation, keep to their responsibility as individuals and as a unit. We’re not asking the girls to fly hundreds of miles, we’re asking them for 80 minutes. 
Our players have five key elements to follow: Trust, Collective Responsible, Communication, Care and Pride. The geese have their formation, we have ours, each player with a job to do. For a team to reach their destination, they need everyone to work together. That is exactly what we are doing. We just haven't got our reward yet. There’s going to be a game where it all comes together and once that happens there will be no stopping us. The five key elements of a massive part of our training structure, preparation for game day and in game time.

Just reward
You can tell a lot from a player’s reaction how much they care for the team. Last week against Carshalton, Doddsy was frustrated with herself and felt she could have done better. Doddsy’s determination to get goals was seen in training; her commitment to improve and work resulted in two very good goals, the first being a special goal. I didn't say anything to Doddsy but I know she was going to score. In training and in the warm-up she was striking the ball beatifully. I’m so pleased for Doddsy, it's proof that hard work is key to performance and performance is key to success. Shows our structure and philosophy is working.
Congratulations also to Guilia for her first goal for Teddington Athletic. You could tell from the way the girls celebrated Guilia and Doddsy’s goals that the players know how much it meant to both girls. 

Proud
I’m extremely proud of the players. My two best days of week are easily Friday and Sunday. We all work hard and need something to look forward to; seeing and coaching these remarkably people, I am very fortunate. It turns out these remarkably people are also very gifted footballers. 

– Bondy

MATCH REPORT