Balham beaten comprehensively

Croygas 6 Balham 1

It's very unusual for Balham to be humbled in the manner they were today. A combination of a long-list of absences and some inadequate refereeing did not help but the boys made too many mistakes and seemed to lack the energy and passion needed to make a decent match. Two-nil down after five minutes, there was no way back despite an improved performance as the match wore on.

As has become commonplace, the boys failed to deal with long balls with one goal coming directly from a goalkeeper assist. On a small pitch, it is essential to get your head to the ball and prevent dangerous bouncing balls, but the Whites did not learn their lesson with one goal from a corner and the other two first-half goals a result of long balls. George had a great chance from a free-kick, which was palmed on to the bar (again!). It was only in the last ten minutes of the half that Balham really started to play, claiming one back through an excellent Matthieu strike.

Whilst Balham started well in the second half, the game became niggly and the home side seemed to be getting away with late fouls throughout. Just as it looked like Balham may be doing enough to get back into it, a harsh penalty was awarded against Chris, which was dispatched. More hesitation at the back led to the fifth, and a blatant foul on Alex was not given for the miserable sixth.

Balham have now lost more than they have won in the League and have slipped down the League desperately since Christmas. With the bottom two sides to play next, it would be great to see some determination to turn this around and end the season on a high.