Sun 19 Mar: Hampton Youth (A) W 5-2

Last time Teddington’s girls made the short trip across Bushy Park to face Hampton Youth, your reporter wasn’t present, they conceded two and lost. This time, your reporter still wasn’t present, they conceded two… but scored five and won.

The win was achieved in a roundabout way: taking the lead, losing it and going in at the break 2-1 down, then steaming past the hosts with four unanswered second-half strikes.

With a full squad bar Sadie Day, manager Dave Waldron made three changes from the previous game, a 5-2 win at Fleet three weeks previously. In front of returning goalkeeper Ruby Rudkin, Amy Hallett (having managed not to get lost en route) replaced Anna Kauffmann at right-back, alongside usual suspects Hannah Hutchison, Millie Theobald and Saskia Brewster, helped out by Carla Novakovic and Liz Kriebel. Ale Fairn replaced Ella Dodd up top, supported by Giulia Clini, Emily Coulson and Emily Bashford – the latter’s third successive start demonstrating her progress and prowess. Doddsy and Coffee joined Millie Mac and Ella Bothamley on a strong bench.

As is usually the case, Teddington’s goals were shared around. (The side’s 53 goals this season have been spread among 10 players: of the 41 times a TAFC girl has marked an appearance with at least one goal, there has only been one hat-trick – Em against Palace, just before Christmas.)

Liz’s goal took her to seven for the season, beating her 2015/16 total. Giulia’s sixth of a promising debut campaign marks the first time she’s scored in successive games. Also scoring in consecutive fixtures – despite starting on the bench, demonstrating the squad’s strength in depth – were Doddsy (now on 12) and Boz (a brace of goals taking her into double figures). Either of those two - or Em, who’s been stuck on 11 for five goalless games and might need to pop a few more shots off - could now finish as top scorer, and each is hunting down Phoebe Head’s record of 13 league goals in a top-flight season.

Elsewhere, Abbey Rangers’ 3-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace can only help Teddington’s hopes of holding on to third place ahead of the Addlestone outfit and Fleet Town, who have games in hand but a tough run-in. There’s a way to go yet – not least a Surrey League Cup Final against Maidenhead – but after another confident 5-2 away win, Teddington can have real hope of a best-ever finishing place in the Premier Division.

TEDDINGTON ATHLETIC: Ruby Rudkin, Amy Hallett, Hannah Hutchison, Millie Theboald, Saskia Brewster, Carla Novakovic, Liz Kriebel (1), Emily Bashford, Giulia Clini (1), Emily Coulson, Ale Fairn. Substitutes Anna Kauffmann, Millie MacEacharn, Ella Bothamley (2), Ella Dodd (1).

Read on after the table for Bondy's notes and Catherine's pictures...

Bondy’s notes: 

I haven’t for some time written a Bondy’s Notes. Hope you haven’t missed me too much… Last week I was recovering from some extremely talented dance moves but think I will keep to the coaching so it was nice to get back to the football.

Hampton Youth are a physical team who have good skilful players. Friday’s training was excellent, with lots of preparation and information. We were happy with how we prepared for Sunday’s clash. You can probably see how structured our warm-ups are: just goes to show how much preparation goes into training sessions and game day.

We started on the front foot, playing a lot of the game in our opponents half, and I felt it was a matter of when not if we got on the scoresheet. To find ourselves behind at half-time did not justify our first half performance. At half-time we told the players to keep in the blue, keep playing our game.

Some of the football the players displayed in the second half was fantastic, brilliant to watch. However I felt to win Sunday’s game we needed more than the exciting football we play: we had to dig deep, to match Hampton’s physicality. The players certainly bossed the game and kept battling.

I was super impressed with the desire and hunger to win possession back quickly by winning the second ball. Once we regained possession we looked to go forward quickly gaining more ground via running the ball or passing forward at pace. Everything that I was super impressed with we covered in training on Friday.

We have a team that are brilliant together. They are extremely talented footballers, also amazing people together and as individuals.

Regards, Bondy