Mitcham mauled!

Mitcham Park Stripes 0 Balham 6 (Six!)

There are some days when everything goes perfectly, and this was one of them. Despite a very early start, made to feel even earlier by the clock change, Balham battered their local rivals in a wonderful performance. With England playing this afternoon, it was fitting that there were a few memories of yesteryear: Patrick resembling Terry Butcher after an unfortunate ball in the face from Ethan's clearance; Jacob making a save similar to Gordon Banks in the 1970 World Cup against Brazil; and the boys in white determined, dogged and brilliant throughout.

A muddy and rainy pitch may have seen a stalemate but the Whites tore into the opposition from the off. Patrick headed in the first after Wilbur had headed back over from the wing after a corner, a lead that you could tell shocked the opponents who seemed to have the air of a foregone victory. This was Balham's 50th goal in all competitions this season. It was not long before the second, Matthieu scoring his tenth of the season after an exquisite ball from Wilbur once Joe had won the ball.

Balham were tenacious and snappy in midfield with Chris getting to the ball first every time, and George controlling the ball well with some lovely touches. Ethan and Ty formed a superb centre-half pairing, and both Charlie and Patrick were sniping at the dangerous wingers to prevent anything too dangerous. So it was no surprise when Balham scored their third - again after some excellent tackling from Joe and a ball through to Matthieu to score his second.

You could tell that the opposition were shellshocked and the Whites were well on their way to a victory which would lift them above their opponents in the table. Despite a strong spell of pressure from the home side, with Patrick off with the unfortunate nosebleed, the Whites defended heroically and were the first to every ball.

The sodden boys came into half-time beaming, and Tomasz was particularly pleased to hear the opposition manager yelling vociferously at his team. He encouraged the boys to repeat the performance in the second half, and so it would prove. Whilst Mitcham were more dangerous in the attack, they left gaping holes at the back time and time again for Balham to capitalise upon. It nearly came early on after Jacob defended the ball outside of his area to find Wilbur who ran the whole length of the the pitch to win a corner.

The fourth did arrive shortly afterwards when George played a wonderful through ball to Max who calmly slotted past the keeper to inch his way ahead of Matthieu again in the scoring charts! Jacob made a couple of decent saves as the home side threw players forward but it looked like the match was well and truly over. Max hit it just over the bar after an excellent through header from Matthieu, but he did score his second after some brilliant pressing from Matthieu. A hopeful shot from the corner of the box was spilled into his own net by the keeper and the boys were in dreamland.

The only question remaining was whether Balham could keep a clean sheet, and with some first-rate defending it looked like they would. Ultimately it came down to Jacob's save of the season, a brilliant stop at his feet from a point-blank header. There was still time for a sixth, with Ty's free-kick spilled by the keeper, narrowly avoiding Chris but Dylan rifled it in, reward for his non-stop running throughout.

This is the third time that Balham have scored six this season, interestingly on all occasions away from home. In fact, six of their eight league victories have come on their travels - with only one away game left, let's hope this translates to some similar home form for the rest of the season.

The result takes Balham up to fourth, and they remain well positioned to finish in the top three provided they work hard and play to their potential for the rest of the season.

Farnham 5 Walton & Hersham 0

Sheen 3 Worcester Park 1

Farnham's big win puts them in a great position and they are just ahead of Balham as the top scorers in the division. Ashford and Sutton Common still have to play each other twice so all to play for.

1. Farnham P17 33 PTS

2. Sutton Common P17 32 PTS

3. Ashford Town P13 29 PTS

4. Balham P16 28 PTS

5. Mitcham Park P14 27 PTS

6. Sheen Lions P17 25 PTS

7. Epsom & Ewell P16 23 PTS

8. Carshalton P16 22 PTS