Lightning U-14
Matches
Sat 15 Jan 2022
Teddington Athletic FC
Lightning U-14
0
4
Caterham Pumas U12 Youth
A week is a long time in football

A week is a long time in football

Jonathan Young15 Jan 2022 - 21:54
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A brave display from Lightning - but sadly not enough to prevent the Pumas wreaking vengeance.

As Harold Wilson famously once said “A week is a long time in politics” – and, following today’s game, it would also appear to be a long time in football. But, unfortunately, in contrast to the ever-growing list of Downing Street parties that “didn’t happen”, today on the pitch, it genuinely didn’t happen for TAFC Lightning.

And so, to the positives. A cold and misty morning at Bushy Park greeted the players as they assembled once again for a re-run of last week’s match against the Caterham Pumas. Thankfully, we were spared the persistent rain that plagued us last week, so conditions were set fair for another exciting match. Following last week’s victory, the whole team knew that the Pumas would be out for revenge, so, in the words of Lady Macbeth, everyone would need to screw their courage to the sticking place and hold firm to come away with another win.

Lightning lined up in their trusty tried and tested formation. Samuel in goal, George at centre back with James and Daniel on the left and right respectively, Louis and Enrique in midfield, Stanley and Joseph wing forwards, and Luke up front.

It was a bright start from the Lightning lads, Stanley took a speculative shot that went wide of the goal, Enrique provided excellent cover in midfield and Luke had a promising strike blocked by the Caterham keeper. The Pumas then pounced and put some pressure back on Lightning who defended a series of corners expertly. George was a towering presence in front of goal, at one stage blocking a scorching shot on goal with his back as Caterham continued to probe the Teddington defence and Samuel made an excellent save to keep honours even. Louis made a jinking run only to be felled by a brutal Puma’s pincer movement, and his subsequent free kick was skilfully delivered into the box, but sadly no-one could get on the end of it.

George continued to battle away at the back like a pint-sized Bobby Moore, at one stage heroically saving a corner and also putting in a stunning defensive header to clear the ball out of the box. Stunning both visually and literally for George, but he shook it off and played on. Enrique broke and very nearly found the net, but the Pumas’ keeper was equal to it. But then, disaster! Caterham broke and scored to go 1-0 up. Followed unfortunately by another which looped over a stricken Samuel’s head and into the Teddington goal. Then they found a third with a ridiculous chip from just outside the area that again Samuel was powerless to prevent.

Lightning battled away as always but just couldn’t find a chink in the Caterham defence’s armour. The Pumas broke again, but it was correctly called offside by some excellent flag-work from Phil, heroically running the line on his dodgy ankle. Lightning won a free kick which very nearly dribbled into the goal, but was cleared off the line by the Pumas’ keeper and George continued his excellent work at the back by cutting off an advancing Caterham striker and preventing a certain goal just before the half time whistle blew. Lightning had played well in the first half, but annoyingly the ball had just refused to fall favourably for them.

Half Time – Teddington Athletic Lightning 0-3 Caterham Pumas

As the second half began Lightning attempted to fight their way back into the game. Louis made a lovely turn, but just couldn’t find Luke up front. Samuel made two solid saves at the back. James fought hard in defence and put through an excellent ball that nearly set Luke free, but he just couldn’t find the touch he needed. Louis made a powerful run but was brought down brutally by one of the Caterham players who earned a yellow card for his trouble.

As the pitch became more and more slippery Joseph was also brought down, despite his usual twinkle-toed work down the right wing. The Pumas play became increasingly agricultural and Louis was fouled again. Up front, frustratingly, the ball was still refusing to fall for Luke to be able to break free and get past the last man. Ray, having come on for Daniel, fought hard at right back but the frustration was building. Luke finally got a chance up front with a sweet turn, but the shot was saved by the Caterham keeper.

Samuel stood strong in goal, heroically tipping one over the bar to prevent a fourth goal for the Pumas. Matthew had a chance at the other end, but the unkind bounce of the ball meant that he just couldn’t get it down in order to guide it into the goal. Then another horror-show tackle from Caterham saw Louis limp off the pitch with an injury, the Pumas player responsible somewhat fortunate to escape with only a yellow card. Enrique was then tripped over, but the referee was unmoved, and the Pumas broke and scored their fourth. Again, there was nothing Samuel could do to prevent it, it seemed like it was just one of those days for Lightning. Daniel continued to put in some excellent tackles at the back, and Enrique had another chance up front blocked by the keeper.

As the full time whistle blew the score line sadly didn’t reflect the heroic endeavours of the Lightning lads. As always they had played their hearts out and it was another one of those matches where, had the ball just given them the opportunities they needed, they might just have come away with a win. Seems like it’s time to say it once again…Onwards and Upwards!

Full Time – Teddington Athletic Lightning 0-4 Caterham Pumas

Player of the match – George

Match details

Match date

Sat 15 Jan 2022

Kickoff

12:00
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