Balham bounce back brilliantly

Colliers Wood 1 Balham 2

Balham showed fantastic resilience to come back from a half-time deficit to complete the double over their nearest neighbours. A lot of grit was required in the face of a huge energy-sapping pitch, a referee who made very few decisions and consequently let several fouls go, a penalty not awarded and a goal chalked off for offside. Playing in their blue training kit on a bright sunny day, the boys were the better side and can be proud of overcoming a lot of adversity on the day.

With Luke feeling sick and Alex only able to last 20 minutes due to a hamstring injury, the squad was not quite as deep as we might have liked. It was clear from the outset that the home side only really had one way to play - very direct balls to a pacy striker. It proved difficult to defend throughout the game but in most instances Damian and George controlled the threat well. Whilst Balham started stronger, and clearly were able to pass the ball around better, Colliers Wood had two dangerous early corners which were well defended by Joa and George respectively. After a period where the boys were slow to get to the second ball, they started to create more chances. Junior took the ball down well after a great sweeping pass from Jude, but couldn't quite find a Balham attacker; AJ nearly muscled his way through on a couple of occasions, and Jude's free-kick was narrowly wide. After AJ was fouled just on the edge of the box, their keeper made the first of an excellent reverse-handed save from Jude's resulting free-kick. Just before half-time, an absolute sucker punch when yet another direct ball was not cleared leaving a simple tap-in for the striker.

The heads were down at half-time but they did not need to be as the boys had played well and were unlucky to find themselves in this situation. The second half saw an excellent performance throughout though, and the boys showed wonderful grit and determination to win the match. In the first of several highly controversial decisions, AJ was hacked down when clean through and the defender was only given a yellow card. Not a decision we would have seen with VAR! George's beautiful free-kick looked like it was in but an amazing leap from the goalkeeper saw the ball palmed on to the bar.

Thankfully, it was not too much longer until a deserved equaliser came. Jude's wicked shot bounced just in front of the keeper, and the boys were level. With all the momentum, Igor then suffered a sickening injury to his neck, which looked like a nasty off the ball elbowing incident after he had released the ball, although no infringement was called. The match then had a feisty period with Wilbur being fouled on a few occasions. From one of them, George's lofted free-kick evaded everyone and Wilbur could not quite head in unmarked on the far post.

Colliers Wood missed an excellent chance on the break but this was one of their rare forays into our half as the match wore on. Junior was on fire on the left-hand side, a constant outlet showing fantastic skill even when doubled up on. A consistent threat, there were several occasions when he got to the bye-line and nearly found an onrushing Balham player. He also chased back several times to prevent attacks and showed brilliant energy to keep going strong.

With just over ten minutes to go, the match turned. An excellent driving run from George into space looked dangerous and so it proved as he chipped the ball through to AJ. With his customary strength and power, he fended off the defender to finish with his left foot to put Balham ahead. The last few minutes saw further controversy - a penalty was not awarded when AJ was clearly clipped, and Max's follow-up to a goalkeeper save was deemed offside by the linesman. We will let the VEO let us know whether he was right or not! Jude also rifled a shot just wide, and it looked more like Balham would extend their lead than be pegged back.

The boys can be delighted with this victory, but they are still only two-thirds of their way through their League matches. Next week has a ding-dong top of the table clash with Carshalton, who remain 4 points clear having played three more matches. It looks like a three-way battle for the title, with Leatherhead definitely one to keep an eye on and now in third place.

Carshalton, P15, 35PTS

Balham, P12, 31PTS

Leatherhead, P12, 26PTS

Reigate, P16, 26PTS

Colliers Wood, P15, 25PTS

Bring family and friends to support the Mighty Whites next weekend!