Halloween horror show for Worcester Park defence

Worcester Park 2 Balham 6

The Whites deservedly earned their first League victory of the season, with a pulsating second-half display which completely transformed the game. The pitch, complete with dug-outs, had a proper 'non-League' feel to it, with a significant slope to one corner significantly impacting the way the game was played.

Wilbur, captaining the side in George's absence, elected to play up the hill in the first half, a decision which definitely benefited the boys in the second. Despite the tougher assignment in the first half, Balham nearly scored after a minute when Dylan's shot hit the bar after smart build-up play from Matthieu and James. The match then became a real battle for 15 minutes or so, with both sides tackling well - particularly Charlie, Chris and Sammi for the Whites. Chances were few and far between: Jacob needed to make a smart save from a shot from the edge of the area; James had a couple of long-range efforts on the break for Balham; and some chaotic defending by Balham nearly resulted in an opener for the home team.

It was shaping up to be a tight game, which was incredibly well managed by a superb referee. He admonished a chippy opposition player with expert management, resulting in him being taken off to calm down. Shortly afterwards though, some calamitous defending by Balham resulted in the game's opener: with at least two opportunities to clear, the ball fell to a midfielder at the edge of the box - a shot that Jacob should really have saved.

Balham were rattled and required a heroic Matthieu header off his own line directly from a corner - a forewarning of a very similar corner at the other end. The Whites were still in the game though, with Jude coming close after a fine run down the left was foiled by the keeper at the base of his post.

The next goal was critical and it nearly came to the home side with a shot rattling the post. It ended up going to Balham though after a superb corner from Alex caused chaos in their defence - the ball sailed straight in and the boys were level. The goal spurred the boys on and they had a few chances to take the lead with a strong spell of pressure: Wilbur's expert pressing created a chance for James who fired over, and Dylan's pace unnerved the defence with a counter-attack poked just wide.

The beginning of the second half was tight with few chances - Chris marshalling the defence expertly with a fantastic tackle in our penalty area. After ten minutes, Tomasz elected to change things putting Ty up front, James on the right and Chris and Alex in the centre of defence. Immediately there was a sense the game might change after a couple of dribbles from Ty created terror in the home side's defence. A superb goal kick from Jacob found the adapted striker, who combined brilliantly with Jude who was bearing down at goal. Just as he was about to unleash his shot, the left winger was hacked down unceremoniously by the lumbering centre-half and Ty stepped up to give the Whites the lead from the spot.

The Whites were rampant, and a superb spell followed. Ty and Matthieu combined again with the keeper making a superb save, but the third quickly came for the hard-running midfielder after he showed great passion to pick up an overhit cross - cutting back towards the edge of the box and hitting an unstoppable finish. James was showing excellent skill on the right and his cross somehow evaded the whole team. Then Ty beat several defenders to unleash a pile-driver which smashed against the bar, and the boys were playing their best football of the season.

On the rare occasion the Blues attacked, the Whites were more than a match for them with a particularly stunning tackle from Wilbur in the penalty area having tracked back 60 yards.

Balham showed no let up though and scored the goal of the game to seal the points. Tomasz had been debating bringing Ty back to defence, but elected to keep him up front. Some glorious interplay between him and Matthieu resulted in an overlapping Dylan smashing the ball across the keeper into the corner - a superb finish.

With the game won, a final chaotic five minutes ensued. Worcester Park's captain was disappointingly allowed to march through a large chunk of the team to finish brilliantly into the corner of the goal, and on the next attack Jacob pulled off a wonderful one-on-one save. There was time for the Whites to wrap it up with no mercy though - Wilbur rounding the keeper with deft composure for the fifth and Matthieu chipping him for the sixth - a truly satisfying and deserved result.

An amazing test awaits the boys next week with a Cup tie against Premier Elite side South Park in the Cup. Today's win take them up to seventh with the following results:

Reigate Priory Youth Eagles 0:6 Mitcham Park Stripes

Sheen Lions Lions 2:2 Ashford Town Juniors Tangerines

Sutton Common Rovers Colts Yellows 4:0 Epsom & Ewell Colts Blues

Walton & Hersham United Juniors 1:2 Carshalton Athletic Youth Whites