FC Elmstead 1 Balham 7

In an absolutely thrilling performance, Balham rounded off pre-season in style with a hammering of the hapless Elmstead side. The victory was all the more impressive as last season had seen two very tight games between the sides. Balham were superb to a man, and it was a pleasure to see such excellent passing, astute positioning throughout the game, and an energetic pressing approach. Whilst tougher tests will surely come when the league kicks off next Sunday, the boys in white could not have put in a better performance.

On the front foot from the start, it quickly became clear that Balham were going to have a good day. Jude was buzzing around up front, and Wilbur was showing excellent positional sense to build attacks from the back. Jude had a couple of early chances: the keeper saved well with his feet after Amine put the first of numerous slick passes through to him, and he headed over unmarked from a corner. Ethan was combining superbly with Amine down the right and had a good effort well saved. After ten minutes though, Jude's lively start was rewarded with a superbly taken volley from George's corner for Balham to take a well-deserved lead.

Somehow, the Whites did not manage to score again before half-time despite numerous attacks. George put in a crunching tackle in midfield to set up one for Jude which was well smothered by the keeper. Wilbur fired just wide from a corner, and Ethan and Amine combined for another chance. A warning sign was sent to Balham though, with a long-range effort excellently saved by Jacob diving to his right.

From the resulting corner, Balham put on a pulsating counter-attack and showed great stamina and speed to get up the pitch. Dylan showed excellent pace to latch onto a through ball from Jude, with Amine's effort just being turned wide. It deserved a goal, but it wasn't to be, and Balham went into half-time with a slender one-goal margin.

The third quarter of the game was absolutely ruthless from Balham, and the scoreline started to reflect the true nature of the game. Ethan scored an excellent goal from the edge of the area after a well-worked corner. It looked like the post might deny him (again!) but the shot deserved the goal. Wilbur then showed two excellent pieces of defending in quick succession to snuff out some dangerous-looking attacks, and the boys continued to pass crisply along the floor.

Ethan showed sublime skill to set up a free kick on the right flank. George's cross was met well by Jude, who just got in front of the defender to stab the ball in. Whilst it took a slight deflection, it was definitely the forward's goal even though he tried to talk himself out of it!

Jacob had not been tested that much, but again showed alertness saving with his feet.

Two quick goals before the drinks break put the game to bed. Another shot from Ethan could only be parried into Jude's path for his hat-trick. Dylan, who looked very sharp and lively in an unusual centre-forward position, rifled a fifth after George had slid him through.

Amine's excellent play throughout really deserved a goal, and he nearly obliged with a well-thought out lob which the keeper did brilliantly to save. Nonetheless his richly-deserved goal did come after some great tenacity from Ethan to win the ball on the right.

In the last few minutes, Balham were down to 8 with both Luca and Chris off with knee injuries. Elmstead looked more dangerous as a result, with Jacob having to turn a dangerous spinning ball around the post. He also put in a fine tackle to block an attacker out of his area but could not clear far enough with the team in red and blue scoring a long-range consolation with him out of his goal.

Amine nearly scored his second with the post rattled, but shortly afterwards set up Dylan who showed searing pace again to outsmart the defender and rifle home a seventh.

What a performance from the boys, and they can go into the new season proper with every confidence.