MATCH REPORT - Teddington vs Aldershot - confirming dominance with a 2-0 win

Fanstastic focus and confidence today from the girls - I am mega proud of your hard work and the resilience to face some tough challenges from the opposition. You are getting tougher, stronger and more skilled every week - great for all to witness!

Today match report is the masterpiece of Nigel - Lola's grandad  (thank you)

The game started brightly with both teams full of attacking intent, but  the Teddington defence, marshalled by the indomitable Sophia, was in no mood to compromise, and Aldershot were soon on the back foot, struggling to contain the pacey attacking trio of Ruby on the left, Sadie on the right, and Elin through the middle. Ably assisted by Charlotte and Hannah Rose in centre midfield, it seemed it was all going to be one way traffic, and so it was for ten minutes or so, with the lively Aldershot goalkeeper called into action several times as Elin, Ruby and Charlotte peppered the opponents goal with shots on target.

Aldershot’s defence remained steadfast, however, and they gradually started to come back into the game, but barely had a shot on target, with Sarah, Sophia and Bella brilliantly snuffing out each attack. With nearly all their attacks coming down the left flank, Bella particularly, saw much of the action, and her well drilled interceptions started to get on Aldershot’s nerves, who then switched tactics by pressing through midfield, but there was no getting past this most resolute Teddington defending. Sarah also had a very tough job of marking up the tallest and hardest girl on the pitch and she did amazingly well in preventing her to cause the trouble that she was capable of, invalidating all her attempts by making the right and timely challenges.

With the midfield becoming more congested, and Elin occupying the opposition centre halves with her customary tireless runs through the middle of the park, their midfield was opened up enough to allow Charlotte and Hannah Rose time to spray the ball out to the industrious and uncompromising Ruby and Sadie on the wings.

It was from one such attack that the Aldershot defence was finally split, allowing Ruby to come in from the left to score. At this point Aldershot seemed to have acquired an extra player when a deer wandered onto their corner of the pitch, but no one appeared to notice, such was the commitment of all the players, and the game surged relentlessly from one end to the other.

With their tails up, Teddington continued to attack en masse, beautifully keeping their shape, and moving at pace. The Aldershot defence were making some particularly robust challenges, and it looked at that point as if they were going to get back into the game with some very swift and impressive counter attacks down the flanks. Shortly before half time, however, as once again the midfield became more congested, Sadie, who had been causing all sorts of havoc down the right wing, was replaced by Lola, coming in on the left, and allowing the by now rampant Ruby to switch to the right. The tactic paid off handsomely as Charlotte produced a magnificent crossfield pass to Elin who slotted in between the defenders to an unmarked Ruby on the right wing who drove it home neatly.

The second half started much as the first had ended, with both teams unafraid of making some crunching tackles when under pressure, Lola starting to impress on the left wing with some timely interventions, and Ruby continuing to scare the daylights out of defenders with some mazy runs. Elin had a couple of shots blocked by the busy Aldershot keeper, and almost scored from one of her trademark corners. Lola came close to a third Teddington goal, but the ball went agonisingly wide. Sadie came back on and the game continued at a frenetic pace with no one looking likely to score until Aldershot, menacing on the counter attack,  had a fierce volley magnificently saved by Katherine. That save seemed to bring to an end any resolve left in the opposition, and the game was comfortably seen out by an extremely effective Teddington team.

This was an exciting game against formidable opponents who have always provided a compelling challenge, but the Teddington Girls are growing in stature and improving every week, and this win is a testament to the wonderful coaching staff led by cunning Christelle .