South London Kings Knights 0 Balham 6

Balham had some good results in the Cups last season, and carried on in the same vein with a comprehensive victory on a poor Clapham Common pitch. With the opposition being a couple of divisions below the Whites, a win was expected, but the boys showed their superiority with a straightforward victory. With two clean sheets on the trot, Balham can be pleased that they have tightened up their defensive performances in the last two games.

All this despite suffering the blow of not being able to play Will, who was ruled ineligible as his registration has yet to arrive. He looked on from the sidelines wishing he had the chance as goals would surely have come.

Balham were on the front foot from the start, and spent the first fifteen minutes in the opposition's half. Despite a horrible bobbly pitch, they were able to control the ball well for the most part, and passed around the other team. Amine was still able to show his nifty feet in the middle of the park, and nearly set up a chance in the second minute. George missed a good chance to put Balham ahead from Amine's corner, and Jude was showing his trademark buzz, hassling defenders and putting in a dangerous cross.

Luca nearly got in on the attack with a good effort from Gethin's cross, the first of several chances fathomed by the left-back. George then showed some lovely twinkly toes to set himself up, but the keeper pulled off the first of several excellent saves.

It took an absolute screamer of a goal to take the lead. Wilbur's eyes lit up as the ball fell to him on the edge of the box. Smashing the ball on the half-volley, the goal nestled into the top corner for undoubtedly the goal of the season so far. Jacob said he could see it curling in from his own penalty area, an absolute beauty.

A couple of minutes later, a lively Jude followed up from a George shot to extend the lead. Chris was putting in some strong blocks at the back, and the team in blue were struggling to mount any attacks. He released Ethan who showed great drive to skip through the defence and follow-in with a rebound from his own shot.

Balham were incredibly dominant, and but for the keeper it would have been many more. Both George and Jude were denied by excellent saves.

Dylan had been brought on up front, and he showed great energy to reach an overhit cross. Playing back to Gethin, the wideman put another lovely cross in for Amine who was clattered to the ground unceremoniously. It looked like he might be injured, but he shrugged it off and smacked the resulting penalty home.

As the half drew to a close, Wilbur showed a deft touch with a back heel putting in Dylan, but again the keeper was a match.

At the other end, the blues had their first target which Jacob pushed round his post. From the corner, Ethan cleared the ball off the line and the half was over.

With the game won, the second half lacked as much action as the first. The goalkeeper foiled George in an one-on-one situation, and for a long time it looked like Balham would fail to extend their lead. In fact, at the other end Wilbur had to glance a header wide to prevent a goal.

Balham were looking increasingly dangerous from corners, and very nearly scored from a scramble. Shortly afterwards George did finish from an Amine corner.

The opposition had a couple more chances but never looked particularly threatening. With the game petering out, Dylan showed lovely feet to accelerate past his marker, but his shot was well saved at the near post. The sixth did come just before the end, with Amine burying Wilbur's corner with a bullet header.

There was one last chance for Jude, who ran almost the whole length of the pitch, but he was stopped at the death.

With no game next week, there will potentially be some friendlies over half-term to keep the boys sharp. A more difficult test in the League Challenge Cup against Sevenoaks awaits.