We'll take the points and move on

Balham 5 Old Ruts 2

It seems strange to be saying that this was one of our poorer performances of the season with 5 goals in the GF column, but the scoreline really did flatter Balham. A hard-working and industrious side, Old Ruts battled well throughout and it is surprising that they currently sit at the bottom of the division. Nonetheless, a win is a win, and the Whites now have 19 points from 21.

The boys actually started superbly winning a penalty after 3 minutes when Jacob's excellent clearance was latched on to by AJ, with Max getting hacked down in the box. Unfortunately George's penalty was a comfortable height for the keeper and Wilbur couldn't bundle home the rebound. The keeper then made a great save from Max after some fine skill from AJ, blocking with his legs. Finally, a well deserved goal came with a bullet from Igor ending up in the bottom corner.

The rest of the half saw a significant downturn in performance, summed up by very poor defending for the Old Ruts' equaliser, with a static defence not reacting to a well delivered set-piece. Neither side created much for the rest of the half, with the opposition limited to long-range efforts. WIlbur's match came to an end just before the end of the half with a bad knock to the knee.

The second-half saw an improved performance and the boys started off the half passing the ball around beautifully. It looked like we had scored with a lovely effort from Jude, but the ball flew wide. Balham got a break with their second goal, a hopeful ball from George which the defence allowed to bounce in the box. AJ was alert, quickly on to it and heading the ball past the stranded keeper. The boys celebrated with unnecessary exburance which came back to bite them a minute later. Dom fouled the striker to give away a penalty which was expertly dispatched.

There was then a case of deja-vu when George's hopeful ball, this time from a drop ball, bounced in the box for AJ to head home. Whilst the Old Ruts had a chance on the break, which they blazed wide, the Whites finally held on to the lead and looked to complete the win. Jude did just that, rounding the keeper with great composure for his 10th goal of the season. Whilst there was a suspicion of offside, it was an excellently finished goal. Igor nearly added a second, but the fifth did come after a wicked free-kick from George was put in exactly the right area. A nightmare for the goalkeeper to try to defend with AJ attacking the ball, the shot sailed straight into the net bouncing just outside the six yard box. With the match won, Max was taken down again in the last minute but AJ's tame penalty was saved by the keeper.

With Colliers Wood beating Worcester Park 10-0 today, the Whites know that they have tougher fixtures ahead which they will need to play at a much higher level for. With Reigate losing to Leatherhead 2-1, it looks like there are three teams stretching away - Carshalton, Collliers Wood and Balham all remain unbeaten although the others have both drawn twice.