Balham hang on to snatch a draw.
Following the 4 nil thrashing last month the lads wanted to make amends today and boy did they do that. From the very first whistle the Colts dominated this game. The attack looked lively, the diamond shaped midfield worked hard and those in defence stood firm in front of a keeper who was in top form again.
The Balham keeper was the reason they took a point from this game, he was outstanding and made a half dozen great saves to deny Stuart, Nathan, James and Jack A-B. Both Nathan and Stuart had one on one’s against him in the first half and both couldn’t get past him. With Jack A-B and James playing down the flanks today and working hard to defend when needed, it did give us a different attacking option today, which worked well.
Jack O played in an advanced midfield role and was supplying the forwards well. Richard played just in front of the back four giving extra cover but it still gave him the chance to feed the ball to the five players in front of him, which he did very well all game. Frank brought a bit more zest to the midfield in the second half when Jack A-B was pushed upfront.
Defensively today we were awesome. George, then David at right back, were very solid. JJ as always plays with passion and heart, and a nice touch too. But Scott, who was standing in for Ollie, played superbly well with Remy. Both made last gasp tackles right in front of goal to deny Balham. Rhys was back to his very best today, he commanded his area exceptionally well, his kicking, catching and punching were all top draw and his confidence just oozed through the team today.
As the final whistle drew near it was the Colts who were the braver of the two teams as they went in search of the winner they so richly deserved. The game was stretched as wave after wave of attacks came and went but we just couldn’t find that final touch in front of goal today, but it wasn’t for the want of trying, which is more important.
Following three straight defeats the lads showed great courage and character to come in to this game and play as well as they did. They deserved both points and Balham knew this as they scuffled off with their tails between their legs!!
MoM nominations included Scott, James, JJ, Rhys and Nathan but it was Richard who won it and deservedly so for a great all round contribution to the team.