Mudbath creates thrilling second half

Balham 2 Ashford Town 2

In the boys' first game for over a month, Balham had an excellent turnout with 16 players available, including a welcome return for Ethan and Luca. In a thrilling match, Balham started as if they had eaten too many mince pies and chocolates, but worked their way into the game, pegging back the visitors twice. Either side could have won in a barnstorming last ten minutes, and the result was probably fair in the end.

The Whites started poorly, unable to get out of their half for the first five minutes. Despite some appalling defending, when the boys had multiple opportunities to clear, Ashford's lead was deserved when they bundled the ball home. For the first fifteen minutes, Balham were being dominated - Ty put in an excellent tackle to prevent a certain second and a tenacious Patrick was doggedly winning the ball consistently on the flank. The home side's first attack resulted from a strong Wilbur surge through midfield, but James' effort was easily saved.

Tomasz made a decisive move and changed from 433 to 442, which immediately made an impact. With Matthieu joining the midfield, the boys were much less open and also looked more dangerous on the attack. Despite a trigger-happy linesman from the away side, who must have flagged a dozen offsides during the game, Balham gradually started to work their way back into it. James showed some excellent skill having peeled off to the right flank, showing great speed to outpace the left-back. An excellent cross hit the heel of the defender and an onrushing Matthieu was there to tap in a simple equaliser.

As the pitch got muddier in a spell of rain, Balham had a couple of chances to extend their lead. Ty popped a ball through to Jude after some excellent defending, but the keeper - who played a very high line throughout - stopped the ball at the edge of his area. Ashford created a couple of half-chances from corners, but it was Balham who had the last chance of the half when James shot from the edge of the area after Ethan had put him through.

The second half was a superb affair - and the away side started off stronger. Luca put in an excellent tackle after Ty got caught in possession, and the opposition created several attacks down their left wing. Eventually the pressure told after the ball was not properly cleared - with the striker firing home despite Jacob getting his fingertips to the shot.

The Whites then had a superb spell and struck back immediately with an excellent drive from Max. Wilbur had dinked the ball through, and he rifled his shot in from 25 yards with the keeper far too high up the pitch.

Both sides had chances to win it, starting with an excellent period of pressure from Balham. Max was close to doubling his tally from a corner, and came close again after the move of the match. Some superb one-touch football through the midfield scythed through the Ashford defence, but unfortunately the cross fell on his right foot and the ball screwed wide. Ashford looked dangerous on the break and came close a couple of times but Balham continued to look lively with George coming close from a Wilbur cross, their goalkeeper making an excellent save when our attackers were erroneously flagged offside again, and Wilbur somehow hitting the crossbar from a corner.

Right at the death, Balham were not awarded a foul when they probably should have been - which would have been in a dangerous position 40 yards out. Instead, Ashford broke rapidly and a last-gasp challenge from Ty and Ethan prevented a killer goal. The away side shouted vociferously for a penalty but it was not awarded and the match drew to a close.