Season draws to a close with a mixed 80 minutes

The boys can be proud of the way they have played since the easing of Lockdown, and the first half of the first match was without doubt the best they have played all season. As the double header wore on though, a smaller squad than the opposition came to pay as the boys tired and endured another mixed afternoon.

Tomasz was forced into a formation change with the players available, and played three at the back and three up front. Jude, Will and Gethin were constantly buzzing around their defence, pressing high, forcing mistakes and ensuring the Whites were on the front foot throughout the first half.

Amine and George were showing lovely feet in midfield, constantly setting up the front three. From a very early attack Will hooked the ball over to Jude, who watched the ball absolutely superbly, allowing it to drop and settle before firing home with his left foot.

How it was only 1-0 at half-time is anyone's guess. Luca, Dylan and Ethan were mopping up everything in defence and the Junior Elites' goal was being bombarded at the top.

Amine fired in two long-range shots which were well saved; George's dipping long-range effort hit the post with the keeper beaten; Gethin hit over from a free-kick after sublime skill from Amine; Will volleyed just over from Jude's corner; and Luca's superb break was nearly finished by Jude who was buzzing around the pitch with great energy.

Astonishingly, but predictably, with their only chance of the half, the home side capitalised after a long ball unhinged the defence and the striker struck home.

Whilst not as dominant in the second half, Balham - playing in their black training kit - were the better side in the second half too. Their goalkeeper was having an excellent game, denying Gethin from close range. The boys took a deserved lead with ten minutes left. Ethan's free-kick was picked up by Luca, who made one of many rampaging runs to fire the shot in.

With our next attack we nearly sealed it but George's shot was tipped on to the post.

Again, the home side struck after Balham gave away an unnecessary corner with two minutes left. The big opposition player was left unmarked in the box and it looked like victory had been denied.

With brilliant energy and passion, and frankly a desire to get the result their play deserved, the boys hit back with the last attack of the match. An excellent cross across the area was tapped in by Gethin to a mix of relief and joy. 3-2 and a thoroughly deserved result.

The second match was a very different one though, with the home team looking much more dangerous from the off. It was clear that the boys were tiring throughout. Jacob deflected a shot with his feet on to the post early on, but the stalemate did not take long to break. Yet again, it was a long ball from the back which undid the boys as their rapid attacker rolled the ball in.

Dylan was getting his head to every ball in defence, and both Luca and Chris set up multiple attacks. Whenever we worked the ball out to Ethan on the right we looked dangerous but did not create nearly as much as the first match.

Having said that, Balham should have gone in level. Jude hit just over from George's cross, and Amine hit the bar with a swivelling shot from a corner. Will's volley from George's free-kick was well saved and it was 0-1 at the break.

In the second half, Will's good effort was well saved after he was well set up by Amine and Gethin.

Sadly, the home side doubled their lead, again from a corner. It looked like the boys had cleared it but a looping header just beat Jacob's despairing dive.

Balham had a few chances in the last five minutes but never really looked like scoring. It got to desperation stages at the end with Jacob up for a corner, but he could not turn the low corner in with his left foot.

So, the 9 a side journey comes to an end, and the boys can look forward to a new type of football next season as they move up to 11 a side for the first time. The set-up and squad will be clearer after the club trials next Thursday. In the meantime, the boy can have a well-deserved Summer break and start thinking about how they can build on their improved performances as they step up again next season.