Teddington Titans Triumph In Thrilling 6-3 Encounter

Teddington Athletic FC U12 Titans faced off against Twickenham Saints U12 in a league away match at Orleans Park School on 1st April 2025. The Titans emerged victorious with a commanding 6-3 win, showcasing their attacking prowess and tactical discipline throughout the match.

The Titans lined up in a 2-4-2 formation, with Kerem Polat donning the gloves as goalkeeper. In front of him, Toby Smith and Can Polat formed a solid central defensive partnership, tasked with thwarting the Saints' advances. The midfield was anchored by Isaac Borsley and Elliott Bowen, flanked by Seth Smith on the right and Maxwell Shaw on the left, providing width and support to the forwards. Up front, Rapha Kothakota and George Everett operated as the two strikers, expected to exploit any defensive lapses from the opposition.

The substitutes for the Titans included Jacob Bragg, Ethan Shum, Arthur Bayliss, and Oscar Iddon, all of whom would play pivotal roles as the match unfolded.

The Titans wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with Isaac Borsley opening the scoring just four minutes in. He skillfully turned his back on a corner delivered by Elliott Bowen, producing a measured deflection into the net from close range to give Teddington an early lead. The Saints struggled to respond, and the Titans continued to press, making tactical substitutions to maintain their momentum.

In the 10th minute, George Everett was replaced by Jacob Bragg, followed shortly by Ethan Shum coming on for Borsley and Arthur Bayliss replacing Can Polat at the 15-minute mark. These changes did not disrupt the Titans' flow, as they doubled their lead in the 20th minute when Rapha Kothakota scored, assisted by Shum. Kothakota was proving to be a constant threat, and he struck again just two minutes later, this time with a goal set up by Toby Smith. The hat-trick was complete in the next minute, after being played in by Oscar Iddon.

Kothakota was not done yet; he completed a remarkable first-half performance by scoring his fourth goal in the 26th minute, a solo effort that left the Saints' defence scrambling. As the first half drew to a close, the Titans held a commanding 5-0 lead, leaving Twickenham with much to ponder during the break.

The second half began with a flurry of substitutions for Teddington, as Ethan Shum was replaced by Borsley, and Oscar Iddon came on for George Everett. The Saints finally found their footing and managed to get on the scoresheet in the 34th minute, breaking the Titans' clean sheet. They followed up with another goal in the 37th minute, narrowing the deficit to 4-2.

Despite the Saints' resurgence, Teddington remained composed - continuing to attack, but finding the Saints defence packed. After 20mins with no goal, Saints made it 5-3 - to loud cheers from their supporters. In the 59th minute, Seth Smith restored the three-goal cushion, scoring with a well-placed shot from inside the box, assisted by the ever-influential Kothakota.

As the final whistle blew, Teddington Athletic FC U12 Titans celebrated a well-deserved 6-3 victory, with Rapha Kothakota earning the Player of the Match accolade for his outstanding performance, contributing significantly to the team's attacking display. The Titans' tactical execution and teamwork were evident, setting a high standard for their upcoming fixtures.