Brutal Balham in barnstorming second-half!

Balham 7 Nork Park Rangers 2

Balham remain unbeaten in the League after a tremendous second-half performance put the Banstead side to the sword. With several injuries and absences, the Whites only had 12 players which required great fitness and tenacity to come back as they did. Whilst Balham were clearly the better side, the result could have been very different with the away side taking a shock 2-0 lead, and Jacob pulling off three excellent saves throughout the match. With five different scorers, every single one of them played their part today - a real team performance.

It was clear from the outset that Balham would pass along the floor and Nork Park would be more direct. Whilst Balham started well, the opposition's long-balls did cause some problems with the defence being turned on a few too many occasions. After a spell of pressure from the team in green, Jude's skilful dribbling nearly unlocked the defence but they held firm. Disappointingly, from the resulting corner, Nork Park broke quickly and cut through a stretched Balham defence to take the lead. The Whites were quickly on the front foot, but some hesitant defending again gave the opposition a chance from a direct ball and unbelievably the boys found themselves two down.

To their credit, Balham struck back quickly after Alex's lofted through ball was well finished by Jude. Minutes later, Patrick's searing pass found Max who calmly finished past the shocked defence to make it 2-2.

After yet another direct ball, Jacob made an excellent diving save to his right with the attacker clean-through. For a period, the Whites were giving away too many free-kicks in dangerous areas but managed to hold firm. With poor Charlie still suffering from injury, a reshuffle was required with Patrick dropping back into defence, Joe joining Ethan in midfield, and Semi joining as LWB. For the remainder of the half, the home side had the better chances: after a sublime scissor-kick pass from Ethan, Semi could not quite hook the ball in, and Dylan's excellent skill set up Max who shot wide.

The second-half was an altogether different story with Balham by far the superior side, quicker to the loose ball, and dominant in midfield. Patrick had their most dangerous player in his pocket for the whole half, and Chris consistently rotated possession in the way we have come to love. The boys started as they meant to go on: Max had a couple of early chances with a long shot just wide and a fine save from the keeper at his near post after a really well-worked corner. The Whites had the confidence to play short corners on several occasions and it caused confusion in the opposition defence with a couple of short balls in unlucky not to be awarded penalties for handball. It was a surprise when our first more traditional corner resulted in a goal - Semi beaming as he hooked in Ethan's dangerous cross. From the next attack, it looked like the boys had made the game safe after a beautiful attack. Ethan made another surging run to find Dylan who had the left-back in all sorts of trouble in the second-half. A neat pass in to the box saw Max turn with his back to goal and lay it off to Joe who nestled the ball neatly into the corner for a 4-2 lead.

In the last few minutes, Balham had several more chances and converted three more. Jude hit just over from the edge of the box after a corner, and Alex's excellent corner caused problems for the keeper. The fifth did come though after Max and Semi combined well on the left, for Dylan to head the ball back to Jude who struck home his second. After Jacob made an excellent clawing save from a rare Nork Park attack, George made a couple of surging runs forward hitting the ball wide from distance. From another foul on the edge of the box, his excellent floating free-kick was popped in by Semi to score his second. George did get his goal with almost the last play of the game; excellent play from Joe set him up from distance and a 30 yard lob dumbfounded the hapless keeper.

Balham can be absolutely thrilled with their performance today and well done to every single one of them for leaving everything out there. Results can be found on Full Time; with 7 points out of 9, the Whites can be delighted with their start in the League. Next week sees familiar opponents Carshalton, who suffered a 6-2 defeat to Woking today but beat a higher division side in the Cup last week. Who knows what to expect!