Thrilling last ten minutes to rescue a point!

Farnham Town 3 Balham 3

A barnstorming last ten minutes, not really in keeping with the rest of the match, ensured that Balham picked up a well-deserved point in their delayed season opener. After a respectful minute's silence for the Queen, the match - delayed as a result of bad traffic on the A3 - started at a serene pace. The Whites only had eleven available players; with both Jacob and Matthieu suffering from injuries picked up at rugby, you could sense how tentative the team were to begin with.

For the first ten minutes, despite the long grass, both sides passed the ball around well but did not really fathom any chances. Sammi, Charlie and Patrick were all sharp in the tackle, and the odd break looked like it might threaten but to no real avail. James had the first half-chance, after a well-worked piece of play down the left from Jude and Patrick, but the keeper was equal to it. The first real decent chance was from a lofted free kick by Ty which the keeper fumbled and Jude just poked wide.

Disappointingly, with their first chance of the game, the home team scored with a well-drilled shot from outside the area nestling into the corner. Perhaps there was the opportunity to close down the attacker a little earlier to prevent this. The rest of the half drifted and the boys went into half-time with it all to do.

Balham started the second half well, albeit being limited to long-range efforts: James' shot from distance was just wide, and George's free-kick was well saved. The home side then had an excellent spell, forcing several corners with Balham unable to clear their lines. From a corner that we really should not have given away, an unmarked attacker on the far post headed home their second, and with fifteen minutes to go, it was looking bleak.

The boys showed excellent passion and determination to get back in the game though, and quickly struck back. From Ty's long clearance, James' delightful flicked header put Jude through on goal. The winger showed great composure to slot the ball in with his left foot - an excellent finish and no more than the boys deserved.

Then came a crazy ending to the match with every player on both sides stretching every sinew and going for the win. Balham looked exceptionally dangerous every time they attacked. George's excellent free kick was well saved but could only be parried and Jude again was so close to popping in the spill. On the next phase of play though, the boys equalised with an absolute belter from Patrick, who really deserved the goal after a superb league debut performance. Cutting in from the left, he unleashed a curling effort which sailed over the keeper into the far side of the net.

Despite looking the stronger side, Balham nearly threw it away conceding a couple of needless free-kicks in dangerous areas. The second floated through everyone and somehow found the net to the boys' despair.

With only a minute to go, the boys' heads did not go down and they pulled themselves back into the game once again. With Ty upfront, he completely out-muscled their centre-defender and finished brilliantly to snatch a draw.

The boys can be proud of their effort and determination today and hopefully with more players available next week will be able to push on again. They can expect an incredibly physical game against Mitcham who bullied the boys last season.

Other results from the division as follows. Those who were here last season might also be thrilled to read that South Park Lions were spanked 9-0 at home by the other Farnham team in the division above.

Epsom & Ewell 4:5 Carshalton Athletic

Reigate Priory 1:3 Worcester Park

Sheen Lions 4:0 Walton & Hersham

Sutton Common 2:4 Mitcham Park