Disappointing feisty defeat in first home League clash

Balham 3 South Park Lions 4

If ever there were a game of two halves, this was it. A brilliant first-half had both teams level-pegging at 2-2, and it had been played in a good spirit throughout. All changed in the second half though, with Balham playing poorly for the first ten minutes, falling behind to a disputed goal, and then losing their heads in the face of a referee who had lost control of the match. It was disappointing to see the turnaround; the boys need to learn to rise above difficulties and show more resilience in the face of disappointment.

The South Park Lions had travelled up from Reigate, and started the game well. Nonetheless, Balham showed some excellent crisp passing in the first half, working triangles and finding space across the pitch. The Whites had the first chance of the game, with Jude's left-footed effort well saved by their keeper.

Sadly, the Reds struck first after a tame shot bobbled over Jacob - a chance that should have been stopped. Right from the restart, he made amends with a brilliant 1 on 1 save with their fast attacker clean through.

Balham upped the ante with Luca tracking back well, and Gethin asserting himself down the right. After an excellent burst, Will shot but the keeper saved.

It remained end to end and Jacob had to save top corner after another South Park break.

Balham pulled back a deserved equaliser after a lovely long-range free kick from George caused consternation in the defence. The keeper looked troubled, and Wilbur was right on cue to slot the rebound in.

The boys were starting to put more tackles in, winning the 50-50 balls and showing more aggression across the pitch. After a brilliant break from Gethin, Will slotted in but the goal was ruled offside.

Both sides were making chances and Alex had to put in a superb block to thwart their centre forward. Moments later, though, an absolute rasper of a shot was fired in to the goal before anyone could do anything to block it.

Balham struck straight back again though to equalise after Dylan showed his pace to trouble the keeper; this time Will was there to tap the rebound in.

With Will off injured after a poor tackle, both sides had chances at the end of the half. Ollie, Gethin and Dylan combined well but it was fired over, and Jude skewed wide after another scramble in the box. At the other end, Ollie backtracked well to block a dangerous-looking attack.

Hopes were high for the second half, but Balham just did not get going. The first ten minutes were spent entirely camped in our own half, as the Reds pressed. The game was becoming stop-start with lots of niggly tackles being put in by both sides, and the ref seemingly incapable of stamping any authority on the game. South Park took the lead to a hotly disputed goal, with the referee overruling the linesman who had flagged for offside several seconds before the goal was scored. After some debate, and some nasty baiting by both sets of players, the goal was allowed to stand.

For the rest of the game, it looked like the Whites had lost their heads - questioning every decision (or lack of), and sadly incapable of restoring the one-touch football from the first half. After a defensive error, South Park were clean through and extended their lead to 4-2 with 15 minutes to go.

After a dreadful two footed tackle on Dylan went unpunished, and Wilbur having to limp off with a thigh injury, the boys were forced to play the last 5 minutes with 10 players. As often happens, it resulted in their best passage of play of the half. Ollie broke well and was unlucky to see his cross deflected behind. In the final move of the game, George's free-kick resulted in a penalty after their mammoth defender was clearly fouling Ollie. George stepped up to slam home, but it was too late. The match ended in a spiteful atmosphere, with both players having a go at each other.

The boys must learn to accept that decisions will not always go their way, and not to let their heads drop when they feel aggrieved. When their energy was focused on playing good football, as it was in the first half, they will be difficult for any team to contend with. Balham should take that philosophy into future games, and they will be more than a handful for the opposition.