"Your boys played some great football"

Balham 2 Mitcham 3

When the opposition parents say after the match that Balham should have won, you know the team were unlucky today. After two heavy defeats against this opposition last season, the boys might have started tentatively but were on the front foot from the outset and can consider themselves unlucky today.

The Whites had the majority of the possession throughout the match and dominated midfield. Unfortunately they were undone by an excellent centre forward who showed strength and skill to score a winning hat-trick. Balham looked like they had scored early on from Jude but it was judged offside, George shot wide and at the other end Jacob looked solid behind some long-range efforts. Sammi, Wilbur, Dylan and George were constantly pressing the side in blue and black which proved to be an effective tactic in the most part. On the first occasion we gave an opposition player too much time on the ball, they swept the ball out to the dangerous winger on the right and within seconds the ball was in the net.

Balham nearly hit back instantly, again after some excellent pressing from Jude and James which caused a defensive mistake. Sadly Dylan was unable to capitalise. Disappointingly, another quick break saw the away team double their lead and it looked like a long morning was ahead.

Superbly though, the boys struck back after an insightful pass from Alex found Joe who played some neat short passing with Sammi to set up Wilbur. The midfielder finished with his left foot and Balham went into half-time 2-1 down despite a late scare.

After a positive and energised half-time teamtalk, it was clear that the boys felt that they could pull off a surprise result and they started the second half like a steam train. It was a surprise it took as long as it did to equalise - with Balham looking exceptionally dangerous from set-pieces. Wilbur's excellent crossing from two free-kicks caused chaos in the defence with George nearly getting on the end of one, and Jude's shot somehow being scrambled off the line on the other. A flurry of corners followed and Ty nearly scored from two; the first saw his header inches over the bar and the second was cleared off the line. The home team kept on going though and eventually equalised from a superlative left-foot shot from Max, who picked up the ball at the edge of the area after some great pressure from Sammi. He could not have picked a better spot as he curled the ball into the corner - an early contender for goal of the season to rival Patrick's from last week!

It really could have been either side's victory with fifteen minutes to go but sadly it went to Mitcham who yet again scored from a direct break. Balham looked spent for the last ten minutes and could not really create a clearcut chance unfortunately.

A disappointing defeat but more importantly a really strong performance which should give the boys confidence as they continue the season against unbeaten Sheen next week.

Other results from the division as follows:

Ashford Town Juniors Tangerines 1:0 Reigate Priory Youth Eagles

Farnham Town Youth Blues 3:0 Carshalton Athletic Youth Whites

Sutton Common Rovers Colts Yellows 4:1 Walton & Hersham United Juniors

Worcester Park Colts Blues 4:6 Sheen Lions