Unbeaten League streak continues

Moor Mead 2 Balham 5

Balham's unbeaten start to the League season continued with a very impressive 16 points out of 18 now on the board. Although the boys have done the double over Moor Mead, they made harder work of the game than they should have done, with several chances going begging particularly early in the second half.

AJ served warning in the first minute, with the first of many powerful runs resulting in the keeper making a save. However, Moor Mead nudged ahead early on from a corner, with some very suspect defending from the boys in White. It could have been worse a couple of minutes later when a shot rattled against the underside of the bar. The opposition coaches called for a goal although the referee decided that the ball had not crossed the line.

After this poor start, Balham rallied and were the better side for the rest of the half. George's header from a corner was tipped over, Dom put a couple of lovely left foot crosses in, and Jude's left foot shot came off the keeper's leg on to the bar. Max and AJ broke excellently to tee up Jude who hit the ball over from inside the box. AJ was terrorising the defence and was hacked down when clean through which should have resulted in some punishment. Finally a deserved equaliser came after Wilbur and Jude combined well for the CAM to place home with his left foot. The boys smelt blood and continued to press for the rest of the half. Igor fired wide after a blistering counter attack, and Jude had another chance after a surging AJ run. The goal did come with AJ toying with their vocal central defender: beating him for pace he struck home with the outside of his foot to take Balham 2-1 up. Moor Mead had not threatened our goal since the early stages, but the boys were given a warning in the last minute of the half after a free-kick was harshly given against George just outside the penalty area. Thankfully Joa pulled off a rebound save after parrying the initial effort.

The first few minutes of the second half saw a lethal spell from the Whites. Max hit the bar when well placed and Jude's follow-up was inches wide. The right-winger had another chance which the keeper saved well, and Jude had an excellent opportunity after being set up by George. A bizarre goal nearly came at the other end after Balham stopped thinking the ball had gone out. Somehow the striker missed from 3 or 4 yards out, but it was a significant warning with the defence being left exposed too much as the boys pushed for a third. The killer goal did come after a brisk move down the right, AJ crossing for Junior to tap home a simple finish.

The boys then had a very casual ten minutes, with too many sloppy passes and players out of position. It was as if they thought the match was sealed and done, but the home side pulled one back with a simple finish.

Jamie made some changes for the last 15 minutes, and Balham regained their shape and control of the game. Balham were finding acres of space on the wide pitch, particularly in the hole behind the attacking line. A penalty shout for handball was not awarded, but the fourth came after Jude found himself in lots of space. His shot hit the post but an alert Joe tapped in thr rebound. With ten minutes to go, the match felt safe. It was wrapped up by Jude after Joa's direct clearance was poorly defended and Balham had their fifth.

Next week sees the return fixture against Old Ruts, the only League match to date where we did not pick up three points. There is a big opportunity for us to improve our performance and continue the winning streak. With Reigate losing for the first time today, the boys must continue winning to keep the pressure on Carshalton and Colliers Wood.