The annals of sporting history are adorned with inspirational tales of heroic comebacks. The miracle in Istanbul, Botham’s Ashes, The Rumble in the Jungle and Dennis Taylor’s incredible victory over Steve Davis in the 1985 World Championship to name but a few. Today at Nork Park, Teddington Athletic Lightning added their own humble, yet no less exhilarating story to these legendary events that are now etched in the living rock of sporting endeavour.

The autumnal sun was shining as the Lightning Lads assembled in Banstead to do battle with Nork Park Rangers. With Manager Kevin and Assistant Manager Richard both unfortunately unable to attend, Johnny and Paul admirably stepped into the breach to take on Caretaker Manager / Coach positions to attempt to steer the boys to victory. As the venue was not the easiest pitch to find, a hastily but effective warm up was quickly arranged and promptly the boys were ready for the main event.

Lightning lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Jake between the sticks with Ray, Daniels E and W and George making up the back four. The midfield comprised Nathan, Sam, Joseph and Jack with Vansh and Stefanos up front. Game on!

Lightning started well, putting on some good early pressure, but then the game settled into a more cagey affair. Nathan started in his usual high tempo fashion and Lightning’s defensive unit were working together well. Nathan put a nice ball through to Stefanos, but he was stifled by the defence. Then, however, Rangers managed to break the deadlock with an excellent bit of skill and a pinpoint strike that saw the ball fly past Jake at full stretch and into the back of the net. No matter. Lightning were playing well and this was surely a hiccup that could be overcome. Jack then forced a save from the Rangers’ keeper and Nathan continued his midfield general-ship admirably. However, a powerful strike from outside of the area from one of the Rangers players took everyone by surprise and there was nothing Jake could do to keep the ball out of the net. Lightning were 2-0 down with only 19 minutes played. Was it going to be one of those days? Fortunately the feeling amongst the Lightning lads was that today was certainly not that day.

Lightning fought back like lions. Jack was then brought down in a carbon copy of the challenge that granted Teddington a penalty last week, and a penalty was duly awarded. Jack (who else?) stepped up to take it and buried it hard and low into the left hand corner exactly as he had last week. 2-1. The comeback was on!

Teddington tails were firmly up. As far as they were concerned it was definitely not going to be one of those days. Nathan immediately made another heroic run into the box and crossed beautifully to Jack who sent it home with aplomb to bring up the equaliser. 2-2. This game was very much alive again! Ranger’s won a free kick in a dangerous area that was well defended by Lightning and then Joseph went on one of his trademark jinking runs, setting up a goalmouth stramash in which eventually Stefanos managed to find the back of the net to put Lightning into the lead. The comeback had been swift and effective, but there was still plenty of time on the clock. At the other end, a Ranger’s shot rattled off the upright but Lightning knew that they had the wind of fortune behind them. Daniel W defended calmly at the back and Nathan continued to power forward like a relentless storm. Another Rangers’ shot flew over the bar and just before half time Nathan got another chance, but could only guide it into the side netting, but as the whistle blew Lightning had made their intentions crystal clear. They were only here to win!

Half time - Nork Park Rangers U14 Athletic 2-3 Teddington Lightning.

The second half began with exactly the same tempo with which the first half had ended. Jack battled away and Lightning continued to press hard. Chris and Ray were both rocks in defence and Nathan continued to run his heart out. Stanley, who had come on up front had a decent chance but the keeper was equal to it and Lightning held their own when they were put under the pump. Teddington were caught offside on several occasions, mostly due to a somewhat ‘flag-happy’ opposition linesman (in this reporter’s opinion!) but they continued to pile on the pressure. Vansh put in some really good distribution work, at one point setting Nathan free but again the keeper saved his attempt. The margins were tight at this point and with only a one goal buffer no one was safe, but then Jack broke through the defence again and slotted it home to score his hat trick and put Lightning two goals in front.

Teddington continued to turn the screw with Nathan powering through the middle of the pitch, but he simply couldn’t convert his chances. Stanley also had a chance, but it went over the bar. With five minutes left on the clock Lightning had to soak up a bit of pressure in their own half, but up front the kitchen sink was being firmly deployed. Jack had another chance, but his shot went straight at the keeper. With two added minutes it felt like Teddington had done enough, but a scary Rangers’ break had everyone’s hearts in their mouths, fortunately Jake stood strong in goal and made the save. Finally, and thankfully, the referee blew his whistle for full time and the comeback was complete. Lightning had done it!

As Martin Luther King Jr once said “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”. Today TAFC Lightning exemplified that fighting spirit and they should be rightfully proud of themselves that, even when 2-0 down with the odds stacked against them, they were able to rise like a phoenix and come away with the three points that currently sees them equal top of the league table on points. It was an all-round excellent performance and every player on the pitch today can put this victory down as one of the great Teddington Lightning comebacks. Nine points from three games so far this season, I think we can all agree that there’s still only one way to go…Onwards and Upwards!

Full Time – Nork Park Rangers U14 Athletic 2-4 Teddington Lightning

Goals – Jack (20’ pen, 22’, 62’), Stefanos (26’)

Players of the Match – Hat-trick Hero Jack and Daniel W for his customary solid defence.

Plus – Thanks to Johnny (Happy Birthday btw!) and Paul for stepping into the managerial breach so effectively.