Balham smash six in Sunday derby

Balham 6 Balham Eagles 0

Balham's poor run came to an end with a comprehensive result against rivals Balham Eagles. The Whites could have ended up scoring double figures, such was the number of opportunities created, but equally were lucky to escape with a clean sheet with at least three clear chances being blazed over the bar. Nonetheless it was a deserved result on a cold and muddy day, achieved with a positive attitude from the off. With a few of the squad absent too, it was a particularly fine performance.

The Eagles actually started the match better and passed the ball around crisply in the opening stages without creating too much. At the other end, Matthieu looked ruthless drifting to the right, creating a string of chances which Jude did well to get to but couldn't quite convert. With little pressure from the 'away' side, a direct ball did nearly undo the boys' defence after a tentative back pass. Having created so many chances, it was only fitting when Wilbur whipped in an excellent corner for George to power in with his head. The boys really should have extended their lead before half-time, with Jude coming close on a couple more occasions, Matthieu hitting just over after excellent pressing from Jude and Patrick, and Dylan creating a good chance for Matthieu who headed at the keeper. At the other end, a couple of defensive errors nearly caused problems, but our goal remained intact. In the last play of the half it looked like Max had doubled the lead, but despite initially giving the goal, the excellent 16 year old referee overturned his decision after consulting with the linesman.

If Balham needed reminding that more goals were required to make the game secure, it came in the first couple of the the minutes of the second-half after their pacy striker blazed over having exploited a gaping hole in the Balham defence - another example of how direct football causes the boys problems. It did not take long for the Whites to extend their lead, perhaps surprisingly from a set-piece again. Max met a Wilbur corner with his knee, and accompanied his goal with a knee-slide in the corner to the delight of the Balham substitutes.

The third goal came after a bizarre passage of play in the penalty area, when Matthieu hit the post twice, the goalkeeper made a save, but the tenacious Matthieu followed up to hit the ball in off the defender. The game looked safe, despite another poor back pass falling short and giving the opposition striker a chance which he again fired over. With Wilbur dominating midfield, and Charlie making a series of strong tackles, Balham looked ruthless and it really was a matter of how many they wanted to score. The fourth came after a strong Semi run was converted by Matthieu and the boys lead 4-0 with fifteen minutes to go.

Jude showed some great skill to get the ball on to his left foot but the keeper made an excellent save. It looked like it would not be his day with his goalscoring boots, but shortly afterwards Balham were awarded a soft penalty which he dispatched confidently. Matthieu came close to his hat-trick after a wonderful whipped free-kick from Wilbur was flicked on by a defender and somehow he still got to his head to it. It fell agonisingly wide, but a deserved third came after his strong run and shot saw the ball inch over the line off the post.

With Charlie having to limp off with a nasty injury to his leg, the match drew to a close to the sound of the U16 centre-forward being sent off and a parental scuffle on the neighbouring pitch. A beaming set of boys seemed to quite enjoy the additional piece of entertainment to round off an excellent day.