Balham fight back to grab a point

Carshalton 2 Balham 2

For the second week running, Balham found themselves 2-0 down, and showed great courage to fight back. Despite dominating possession and territory in the second-half, the Whites were unable to secure the victory but scored twice to draw the game.

On a unseasonably hot October day in the mid-twenties, the boys were lucky to play at Carshalton's stadium complete with large 3G pitch. Both the weather and the size of the pitch made it an energy-sapping game, although the Whites looked the fitter side as the match wore on. Balham started the match well, stroking the ball around, and making a couple of half-chances. After some great skill from Ethan, Jude was just beaten to the ball in the box; Max shot just wide after cutting in from the right flank after some good interplay between Ty and Dylan; and Jude's shot was blocked after an excellent cross from Max.

As the half ticked by though, Balham started to lose their way, leaving big gaps in midfield and only really shooting from range. The home side had a couple of pacy wingers who caused some problems on the counter-attack, but it was sloppy defending which gifted Carshalton the opener after the boys tried too many touches just outside the box. The strong striker burst through and capitalised.

Semi had a couple of blocked shots at the other end, but it was from one of these that the Reds broke quickly against an exposed defence to make it 2-0.

A couple of shouts for penalties were ignored, the first when Jude looked to be bundled over in the box and the second for an unlikely handball. At half-time, Balham had it all to do.

The second half saw a vastly improved performance, with the Whites camped in the opposition half for most of it. With Ty carrying an injury, he still caused problems for the opposition defence having been moved up front. Wilbur got on the ball more in dangerous positions and nearly set up a chance in the first minute after a surging run to the bye-line. Semi hit a chance just over, and Ty's rasping shot was spilled by the keeper. The pressure was intense and a deserved goal came after Ty hassled the defender, poached the ball in the box and squared to Max for a simple finish.

A minute later, Wilbur showed echoes of Ricky Villa in the 1981 FA Cup Final (look it up boys...), dribbling through at least four defenders having picked the ball up 40 yards out. Unfortunately the final shot was too close to the keeper who prevented a wonder goal. Undeterred, Balham continued to press: Jude volleyed a chance when perhaps he had a little more time, and Semi shot wide after an incisive pass from George. The linesman had his flag up but it looked like the referee might have overruled him.

As the clock ticked by, Balham missed a couple more half-chances, with George not quite getting his head to a corner and Wilbur bursting through again. Finally, a well-deserved goal did come after James knocked a ball through into the box. Ethan showed lovely composure to round the defender and curl the ball into the net.

The Whites had one more chance to secure the victory with James' snapshot being well saved after excellent tenacity from Ethan on the left. The home side had a couple of counter-attacks in the last five minutes but nothing came of them.

Sheen remain the team to watch with 3 straight wins putting them ahead of Balham by a point with a game in hand.