Teddington 6   Chiddingfold 2 (League)

10^th April 2005

‘I thought we might lose but I expected it to be close’

Lionel Cozens-Smith

A hugely disappointing result and a very similar performance to the one against New Haw after Christmas, when a couple of weeks off seemed to have effected the boys’ concentration, fitness and teamwork.

Things got off to a reasonable start with both teams putting each other under pressure and after ten minutes Rupert  smacked a superb 25-yard free kick off the crossbar. Theo  was on form marshalling the back line, and Eddie worked hard and intelligently in midfield but the fluency we know the boys are capable of was missing, and too many balls were given cheaply away.

Then a double whammy – within a few minutes Teddington went one ahead when the normally solid Mike in goal let a shot slip past him; then their

number nine, who looked dangerous all morning, created a fine individual goal. Suddenly we were 2-0 down having at least held our own.

The boys gamely fought back though and hauled themselves into the game, with Man of the Match Scott setting an industrious and effective example.

The boys were now beginning to apply good pressure and Eddie and the indefatigable Hassie  in particular were unlucky, with new boy Tom King always a bustling presence in attack. But Teddington scored from a breakaway and we were, if undeservedly, 3-0 down at half-time.

We changed the formation at half-time but things got worse in the second half when we gifted Teddington a truly terrible goal through a series of defensive hesitations. At 4-0 down, finally Jon Bn and TK up front pulled a goal back with some beautiful interpassing and the supporters at last had something to cheer. Not for long. A careless overhead kick in defence put us under completely unnecessary pressure, from which a penalty was conceded, 5-1.

To be fair, luck was against us as well. Scott suddenly broke free and surged into the Teddington goal area with their defence left in his wake – only to shoot straight at the keeper. Minutes later Jon Bn did likewise, but shot at the post.

Then we went a ridiculous 6-1 down after gifting Teddington a goal with a short goal kick, but at least Jon Bn made it 6-2 with another of his speciality breakaways, unselfishly slipping the ball to TK for an easy tap-in.

All in all a game to forget; Bookham next week and three crucial points for the taking!