2022 is here - A New Year dawns with all the hope and expectation that accompanies such calendrical events. But for TAFC Lightning it was straight back to business as usual on a damp and drizzly January day in Bushy Park. With the feasting and over-indulgences of the festive season well behind them, the boys were ready to run off that extra helping of Christmas pudding and get back to the task in hand. Winning football matches.

Today’s opposition in this league match were Caterham Pumas U12 Youth, a relatively unknown prospect. The game was originally scheduled as an away match, but due to a waterlogged pitch it was re-arranged as a home game for the Lightning lads – much to the rejoicing of the parents! And, despite the persistent January rain, Bushy Park remained thankfully un-waterlogged, unlike the players and the supporters by the time the full time whistle blew!

After an extended warm up session to blow any Christmas cobwebs away, Lightning lined up in their usual formation with Samuel between the sticks, George at Centre Back flanked by James on his right and Ray on the left. Enrique and Louis formed the Midfield contingent, whilst Joseph and Stanley took up their usual wing-forward roles. Matthew started the match as today’s lone striker up-front.

The Puma’s immediately showed their claws as they attacked the Teddington goal straight from the kick off. Despite good cover from George, they quickly forced a corner which flew tantalisingly across the face of the Lightning goal. Then, unfortunately with only 3 minutes on the clock Caterham broke again and a shot sailed past a diving Samuel and took a deflection off the far post that guided it into the net. Despite this setback early doors Lightning dug deep and battled their way back into the game with their usual dogged tenaciousness. Ray scrapped away at the back, thwarting the Puma’s attacks, but Lightning just couldn’t find the distribution play that they needed to break through the Caterham defence. A speculative shot from the Pumas flew over the Teddington crossbar at one end and Louis went on a solo run at the other, only for his shot to be saved.

At this point of the match, Lightning found another gear and ramped up the pressure on the Pumas. Deeply encamped in the Caterham half they began peppering the goalmouth with repeated attacks. Stanley’s shot from the edge of the box was saved by the Puma’s keeper. Matthew had a chance but agonisingly couldn’t find the finish. Enrique blazed one inches over the bar, Matthew got a second bite of the cherry but put it wide, as did Joseph with a similar chance.

Finally Lightning got their just desserts as a cross was fired in by Joseph which took a deflection off one of the Caterham defenders and dribbled across the line for Teddington’s equaliser. Considering the relentless attack that had preceded it, it was a somewhat anti-climactic goal in the end, but nonetheless, Lightning were back in the game. With no let-up in intensity Teddington continued to pile on the pressure. Louis fought like a lion in Midfield and Enrique burst through the Caterham lines, but couldn’t get his shot away, and even then, when he did, it was saved by the keeper.

But then, something magical happened. The ball was delivered into the box from the corner and Enrique, summoning his inner Wayne Rooney in 2011, hurled himself into the air with an audacious bicycle kick. As his foot made contact with the ball it was as if time itself stood still. The ball looped into the air, sailing over the Puma’s defenders who stood open mouthed in wonder, and rattled into the top right hand corner of the net! It was a sublime piece of skill and truly a goal to remember. As the half-time whistle blew the Lightning lads were deservedly 2-1 up, and to be fair, they could have scored many more…although, no doubt, none as spectacular as Enrique’s!

Half Time – Teddington Athletic Lightning 2-1 Caterham Pumas

The rain continued to fall and the pitch was becoming increasingly muddy. The decision to play in white was beginning to look like an Ariel Automatic advert. As the second half began Lightning swiftly foiled another early Caterham attack and Joseph went on one of his trademark jinking runs, only to be stopped by the Puma’s defence. Then in the 37th minute an excellent team effort saw Lightning conquer the Caterham defence and Matthew found the finish he’d been looking for all game to guide it skilfully into the net. Despite the incorrect cries of offside from the Caterham players the goal was given and Teddington now had a clear two goal lead.

Rattled, the Pumas bared their claws again and the game began to get increasingly physical. James and Joseph battled away, but then Joseph was brought down to win Lightning a free kick. Louis stepped up to take it and nearly found the back of the net, but it was not to be. Joseph was then scythed down again and this time Enrique took the free kick, linking up with Louis neatly, but he couldn’t find the finish. Unfortunately for Joseph, it would appear that misfortune comes in threes as a ridiculously late tackle from the Puma’s Centre Back saw him eating the dirt once again. This reckless challenge rightly earned the Caterham player a yellow card. The subsequent free kick was then handled in the area by one of the Puma’s defenders and a penalty was awarded. Luke stepped up to take it and hammered it past the keeper to chalk up Lightning’s fourth.

The game continued in a similarly physical manner and George took a knock that took him off the pitch, substituted by Jack. Lightning continued to battle away, but then with the clock edging into injury time the Puma’s broke and despite Samuel’s best efforts in getting a diving hand to it, he tipped the ball into the back of the net. Louis then made a promising run, but couldn’t find the angle he needed to get the shot off. As always the Lightning lads fought on to the bitter end and as the full time whistle blew, despite all the players looking like a mud-caked 1970’s rugby team, Teddington Lightning had emerged victorious and kicked off 2022 with a famous win.

Full Time – Teddington Athletic Lightning 4-2 Caterham Pumas

Goals – Puma’s o.g (26’) Enrique (30’+1) Matthew (37’) Luke (49’ pen)

Player of the match – Louis