Wasteful Balham rue missed chances

Balham 2 Worcester Park 2

Today was one of those days. How Balham did not go into a handsome half-time lead is anyone’s guess; amazingly, they had to come back from two down to rescue a point in the second. The Whites missed so many chances, found a keeper in form who made two astonishing stops, and seemed reluctant to shoot on several occasions throughout the game. Despite the comeback, it really does go down as two points thrown away and with it the chance to put pressure on the leaders.

The parents had the unfortunate pleasure of putting 4 nets up after a last-minute change in pitch to the full-size. Both keepers made excellent point-blank saves early on: after James’ great cross Max volley was well saved, and Jacob did the same two minutes later to keep the scoreline blank.

The Whites then had three clearcut chances to score, as well as a handful of free-kicks on the edge of the box which came to nothing. The goalkeeper did spill one of them straight into George’s path but somehow the skipper could not bundle the ball in. Ty headed just over from Wilbur free kick, and with the best move of the game, including excellent one touch passing from Charlie and Joe, Ethan’s left foot shot was a foot over the bar.

Tomasz replicated the reverse fixture and put Ty up front for the second half and it nearly worked immediately. After a sharp break from Jude, the new striker hit the chance just wide. Shortly afterwards, Jude hit over with his left foot after poor defending gave him a chance.

Then came the sucker punch. Jacob pushed over from a dangerous free kick bit was then beaten directly from the resulting corner and it looked like the away side were on for a smash and grab result.

The goalkeeper then made the first of two exceptional saves after superb skill from Wilbur saw him through into the box but somehow his shot was smothered. From the corner, an unmarked Ty headed over again and the Worcester Park goal continued to lead a charmed life.

Astonishingly, the away side doubled their lead after a quick break ended with an excellent cross being headed in.

It really did look like that was it, particularly when Jude’s shot was excellently saved again. To be fair to the boys, they did not let their heads drop and they struck back with their next attack. With the ball bobbling in the area, Ty found Max who hooked the ball in. With ten minutes to go, the Whites had time to strike back and so they did after Max slotted it through to Ty with the goalkeeper stranded.

The last five minutes was end to end with Jacob making a few saves from long distance and Balham pressing but not really finding the chance. With only one defeat from ten, and undefeated in six, the boys’ form is excellent but today was an incredibly disappointing result on reflection - the players’ glum faces matched by the parents as everyone trudged off home to warm up.

Ashford Town 3:4 Farnham

Sutton Common 2:1 Sheen

Mitcham Park Stripes 3:1 Reigate Priory

Epsom & Ewell 3:0 Walton & Hersham

A couple of critical matches at the top have left the table looking like this. Balham remain fifth.

1. Sutton Common P16 29 PTS

2. Farnham Town P14 27 PTS

3. Ashford Town P11 23 PTS

4. Epsom & Ewell P15 23 PTS

5. Balham FC P13 22 PTS

6. Sheen Lions P13 22 PTS

7. Mitcham Park P11 21 PTS