And we're off!

With Ali G gags ringing in their ears, the boys had a dream start to their 11 a side adventure, with a thumping 7-2 victory. On an excellent pitch, and a bright day, Balham played incisively and assertively across all areas of the game, and thoroughly deserved the victory.

With Tomasz away at the Great North Run, it was actually a tentative start to the game as both teams looked to suss each other out. Balham passed the ball around well, but did not really test the keeper for the first 15 minutes with only a couple of tame long-range efforts to show for their possession. Similarly, Jacob was not tested and it looked like a tight result was on the cards.

The Whites had a flurry of corners which came to nothing, but were looking the more dangerous side. Gethin tested the keeper from range after some excellent skill from Wilbur, but the match remained goalless.

In a blistering spell immediately afterwards though, Balham took complete control of the game. George swept home for the opener after a good run from Jude, and shortly afterwards an excellent run and cross from birthday boy Max ended up with Gethin rifling in.

The team in blue did not know what had hit them, and their misery was made worse with a looping long-range effort from George proving impossible for the keeper to reach. Wilbur nearly added another with an identical effort, which just brushed by the top of the left post.

An incredibly tenacious Dylan set up the fourth to make the result a foregone conclusion. Hassling the defenders, he was able to nick the ball and set up Gethin for his second of the game.

The defence had looked strong to that point, with Jacob passing well from the back, and Ethan and Luca able to set up attacks on the flanks. Alex, Chris and Basil all looked comfortable against the attackers. Unfortunately, one slip of concentration let the Staines striker through when the ball could have been cleared though, and the home side opened their account.

Not to be deterred, Balham were straight on the attack and made it 5-1 just before half-time. After some lovely skill from Will on the left-hand side of the penalty area, Jude slotted in and the boys were beaming as they came in for the break.

The second-half was less one-sided and Balham were conscious how Clapham had struck back in the friendly last week. In fact, the Whites were lucky not to concede in the first couple of minutes after a defensive slip but the attacker panicked and fired wide.

The ever-lively looking Dylan nearly poked it past the keeper who made a good save, and Luca headed over from close range after a dangerous whipping corner from George.

The game became a bit scrappy for a few minutes, only to be elevated by a sumptuous strike from Max. Receiving the ball on the edge of the area, he curled a left-footed beauty around the defenders and in off the post for an excellent sixth.

Balham's final goal came from a quick-fire clearance from Jacob, which Will helped on. Ethan was firing down the wing like an express train to pick up the ball, round the keeper superbly and finish into an empty net.

There was time for Luca to have one last effort saved as he switched to the right for the last few minutes, and a final consolation goal for Staines with a quick break.

The boys can be thrilled with their start to the season. The 4-3-2-1 formation looks to suit them, particularly with a more diligent midfield performance ensuring the defence had greater protection than in the friendly games.

#COYB