A day to forget

Balham 1 Westside 4

It was such a disappointing day for Balham today, who had trained this week with a renewed enthusiasm and energy. With a horrible injury to poor Ethan, who will need to undergo surgery on his arm, the day really could not have been much worse.

Despite wearing their new kit for the first time, the boys were flat throughout. The game was played in an almost eerie-like silence throughout with both teams unable to string much possession together. It was scrappy and unfortunately one of the poorest performances of the season.

It all looked so different at the outset, with the resplendent new white kit on a bitingly cold day. Gethin even gave the boys an early lead after some good work from James and it looked like a fine day was ahead.

After Westside scored with their first attack of the game, the remainder of the half was scrappy and rushed. Max had a couple of half-chances, and Tarquin's long-range effort was saved after he was set up by Will.

After Ethan's injury, and a long break in play, half-time could not come quickly enough.

Will's shot early in the second-half was saved by the keeper but inexplicably a corner was not given. From the goal-kick, Westside went up the other end and were awarded a penalty after Luca's challenge. Despite Jacob pulling off an outstanding stop to push the shot on to the post, not one Balham player followed up and the striker had an easy rebound tap-in.

The rest of the half was pretty much all Westside with Balham unable to assert any authority on the game. Wilbur had a chance from a corner; the rest of the half saw Jacob pull off a number of saves and two breakaway goals to put an unsavoury look on the scoreline.

There can only be one MOTM today and that is Ethan. We all wish him a speedy recovery, and start thinking of some messages to put on the cast boys.