Sun 13 Dec: Teddington Athletic 1-1 Fleet Town

Three steps forward, one step back. After proving their mettle in successive games against the top three teams Maidenhead, Palace and Wimbledon, Teddington Athletic failed to give a decent account of themselves against Fleet Town.

The Hampshire side have frequently proven a troublesome task for Teddington. Having won 2-0 away in October, Teddington have now been held three times by Fleet – most infuriatingly in March, throwing away a 3-0 lead at Bushy Park, although a measure of revenge was exacted in April by drawing from two goals down.

Despite coming from behind again, this was another for the infuriating pile. Timid Teddington simply didn’t want the game as much as Fleet did. And although the Hampshire outfit are a little on the robust side, they only rarely (and accidentally) cross the line of acceptable physicality. Football is a contact sport; as they grow into their teenage years and the greater demands of 11-a-side football, the nice girls of Teddington and district are just going to have to get used to it – or get beaten to the ball and the points.

The game started with Teddington having possession without penetration; intelligent balls didn’t quite come off due to flat-footedness or a lack of urgency. The home side’s best notes were from defensive players; ever-improving goalkeeper Ruby Rudkin came out well a couple of times to dominate her area, while centre-back Millie Theobald chased back well to snuff out the danger.

The danger was coming down Fleet’s right wing. Their gameplay was clearly all about setting their swift right-winger in behind the defence, and on 15 minutes they managed it, the No.11 placing her finish expertly into Ruby’s far corner despite the desperate attentions of Millie and Saskia Brewster.

Teddington replied immediately. Starting the game on the right wing, Ella Bothamley linked up well to set front-runner Ale Fairn through on goal, but Ale’s shot was too close to the goalkeeper. A minute later, the same combination seemed to have come to nothing but Ale’s determination forced the error and an equalising own-goal.

As Fleet seethed at themselves and redoubled their efforts, Teddington were unable to nudge in front, even with refreshing replacements. After a triple substitution – Emily Bashford for Millie MacEacharn on the left, top scorer Phoebe Head replacing Ale with Boz switching up top, and Sadie Day coming into the central midfield trio for the stitch-suffering Carla Novakovic – the first result was almost another Fleet goal as a lack of communication in the hindquarters allowed the visitors through on goal.

A further switch of Ella Waldron for Ella Dodd only lasted a couple of minutes before Jelly was off again, suffering a fall on the field and a fallout with her manager off it. Doddsy immediately rejoined the fray with the notably increased determination she has shown this season.

After a half-time discussion, Teddington almost took the lead within 15 seconds of the restart. Receiving the ball from the centre, Emily C played an excellent diagonal for Phoebe to chase, cross and almost set up Boz in the middle.

It was a false dawn. Despite various second-half substitutions, Teddington couldn’t find the right mix and mindset. Ale came on for Boz; Jelly replaced Sadie, who had once again risen to the challenge but once again had her game cut short by receiving a knock; and Ella Parkinson-Mearns rotated in for Anna at right-back.

In fact, that last switch could have inspired a winner for Fleet. Noting the slightly ring-rusty Parky’s relative lack of pace compared to Anna and Sas, Fleet switched their swift No.11 to the left and started trying to get in behind Teddington’s right-back. Parky stuck doggedly to her task and when the winger did get through Ruby was quick off her line to bravely snuff out the threat.

Teddington could have won it in the last two minutes. Bash did brilliantly to chase down a defender whose clearance cannoned off the fearless left-winger; Doddsy found Phoebe but the shot was screwed wide.

Equally, Teddington could have lost it in the last minute. Once again Fleet played their find-the-winger card, but Sas sprinted superbly across the area to end the No.11’s run and possibly save her side a point.

In the end, though, a draw was a fair result – and that reflects on both sides. Hard-working and fearless, Fleet could cause some more problems this season: they have already held Wimbledon twice in league and cup. Teddington will have to remember Alex Ferguson’s warning that hard work will beat talent if talent doesn’t work hard. Fifth in an eight-team league, they have no divine right to points against anyone.

There is now a clear split in the middle of this division. Although Crystal Palace Reds were threatening to dance to the title, their 100% run was brought to a notable halt this weekend by a 4-2 defeat at AFC Wimbledon (whom Teddington deserved to beat in a much better display last Sunday). The Dons and Maidenhead are seven points off the pace, while fourth-placed Abbey Rangers are two points further back with a 100% record from their six games.

A win here would have kept Teddington within sight of that group, and maintained a distance above the bottom three of Fleet, South Park and Crystal Palace Blues. As it is, Teddington are not just seven points behind Abbey (who have played two fewer games) but also level on points with Fleet, and will need to kick on seriously in the second round of fixtures if they are to represent themselves at what they would like to think is their true level.

TEDDINGTON ATHLETIC (3-1-2-3-1) Ruby Rudkin, Anna Kauffmann, Millie Theobald, Saskia Brewster, Amy Hallett, Carla Novakovic, Ella Dodd, Ella Bothamley, Emily Coulson, Millie MacEacharn, Ale Fairn. Subs: Ella Parkinson-Mearns, Ella Waldron, Sadie Day, Emily Bashford, Phoebe Head. Goal: OG.
Pics this week by both Jan Kauffman and David Theobald - thanks chaps! More after the table.