If Carlsberg did Sundays...

Balham 8 Worcester Park 0

Balham put a huge marker down on a bright and breezy day at Richardson Evans. Not only did the Whites demolish the opposition but both of the other title contenders lost, with Carshalton losing 2-0 to Old Ruts and Leatherhead thumped at home 4-0 by Moor Mead. The Whites now need a maximum of five points from their final four matches, with a couple of tough-looking ties against Reigate in the run-in.

All sixteen of the squad got a decent chunk of minutes on the pitch today and contributed to a substantive victory. The boys took the lead after ten minutes when Max, whose pace caused problems throughout, skinned the defender after Igor's through-ball to leather the ball home. George blazed a chance over after some excellent skill on the ball from a short corner. The match then entered a scrappy period, with Balham misplacing passes and the opposition spending a surprising amount of time in our half. Whilst they were not really creating much, the boys were having to defend more than expected and managed it well.

After that tricky period, Balham stepped it up again and created several chances before half-time. Damian had a chance from distance after Max's hassling had left the goalkeeper stranded, and Dylan rifled a diagonal shot just wide of the post. The Whites had a goal chalked off for offside, but the second did come before half-time after Jude's shot deceived the keeper, a shot he probably should have saved. Max fired just wide with the final move of the half, and the boys came off a little flat with the performance despite being ahead.

The second half was a totally different story with Balham absolutely dominant from start to finish. Damian had a good chance after a wondrous ball from George and Max hit the ball over the bar after the ball rebounded kindly. There then came a flurry of goals in ten minutes as Balham showed their class. Wilbur's incisive ball through was excellently finished by Damian from a tight angle, and Igor's surging run found AJ who neatly crossed the ball for Max to tap in. In between these two goals George's header from a corner was straight at the keeper, who then made an excellent save from the same player dribbling through. Igor's left foot driven shot also looked like it would nestle in but it flew just wide.

The opposition's heads were down and the boys turned the screw. Joe put a lovely ball through to Jude who took the ball on the half volley to smash home a spectacular finish. Luke poked one in from the edge of the box, and AJ converted a penalty after he was fouled himself. Joe then matched the quality of Jude's finish with a superb shot into the top corner. Jacob, on at left wing for the last ten minutes, tried to outdo the both of them with a scissor kick but the ball went wide with a defender getting a touch.