Nerve-wracking victory to bounce back

Balham 2 Carshalton Athletic 1

After last week, Balham needed to bounce back and give a performance that their new kit deserved. And so they did, showing determination from the outset in a ding-dong battle against Carshalton. Perhaps the boys rode their luck a little at the end in a nerve-racking last ten minutes, but they held out and climb back up to fourth in the table. With third place South Park Lions to play next week, there is all to play for.

On a freezing bright day, the spectators could tell instantly that the performance was going to be an improved one. Sharp in the tackle from the off, Dylan showed his intent with a strong run in the first minute. The Whites looked lively, with a couple of early corners, but did not have anything to show for it.

After the initial period of domination, the game turned a little scrappy for a while until Carshalton grew into it - their striker wasting a glorious chance when clean through.

Soon afterwards the boys scored a superb goal, playing out from the back in superb Balham style. George, picking it up from Jacob, released Luca who drove forward into the opponent's half. He found Max, who turned quickly and set up Dylan to rifle a shot into the top corner. The keeper was stationary and unable to prevent the Whites taking a deserved lead.

The rest of the half was end to end, with Jacob making a smart save when the striker shot across the goal. Tarquin's shot was just about smothered by the goalkeeper on to the post and Max fired just wide after a good ball from Luca. The game was too open - apparent after Ty had to clear a ball from the line after another break - so Tomasz made a tactical change, putting Chris at CDM and Gethin dropping back to right-back. For the rest of the game, Chris was superb - blocking countless attacks and always finding a white shirt when he robbed Carshalton of possession.

The rest of the half was a little flat, with the exception of a couple of players in red making a meal of fair challenges and lying on the floor for extended periods of time.

With Gethin having to come off for the second half, having 'headed' the ball with his eye, Balham were forced into another change with Dylan dropping to right-back and Tarquin coming back on in right midfield. The game continued to be end to end: Alex's strong break after George's pass was deflected for a corner, but Carshalton missed a sitter at the other end. George started to show his magic feet more, and danced through the defence to win a corner - with Max's resulting shot being saved.

Tarquin played in an absolutely sumptuous ball into the box after Wilbur had released him down the right wing. Somehow all three onrushing Balham players missed it with the goal gaping in front of them.

The next goal was going to be critical. Luca nearly scored it with a volley just wide from George's corner. Shortly afterwards, Balham did score the crucial second after George's cross could only be parried by the keeper. An alert Tarquin had rushed into the box and was on hand to tap the ball in for his first Balham goal.

Carshalton hit the bar with a cross-shot and it was clear that the boys would need to hold out for as long as they could. In fact they had a chance to settle it after Max set up Wilbur but his shot was too close to the keeper.

With 15 minutes to go, Balham had too many players forward leaving Ty exposed at the back. He was unable to do too much being on the wrong side of the attacking player and gave away a penalty which the striker dispatched easily.

The remaining few minutes required lots of resolve and grit. Chris, Wilbur, Basil, Ty and Luca all put in excellent tackles and blocks and Dylan marshalled the dangerous left winger well. The Whites had a chance to score a third when George's free-kick missed all the attacking players again and so the last five minutes were full of parents pacing around and looking nervous. The boys held out though and can be absolutely thrilled with their victory.

With Westside hammering Reigate 9-1, there are new leaders in the table on goal difference. Balham are five points off top spot, but have the opportunity to move up to third next week against the South Park Lions who scraped a feisty 4-3 win against us at REMG earlier in the season.