We took on and beat Balham FC at the Reg Madgwick Stadium in Cobham on Friday 8th August in a gritty, hard-fought display — playing the final 30 minutes with ten men after our goalkeeper was sent off.

It was another Friday night game with an excellent attendance of 143, boosted by a strong turnout from Epsom and Ewell Colts as we continue to build a positive relationship with them. More exciting news about this burgeoning partnership will follow in the coming weeks.

Balham FC, who only survived in our division last season after a final-day victory, could be considered one of the form sides in the league after a superb late run to avoid relegation. We knew it would be a tough game, and so it proved — they are a very good team.

Our resources were severely depleted for this fixture, with ten players out through injury, so we had to ‘make do and mend’ with the players available. We handed a debut at right-back to Ryan-Bailey Stedman-Hoyte, who is dual-registered with Chessington & Hook.

In the early exchanges, both sides had chances which were either saved or narrowly off target. In the 24th minute, our goalkeeper committed a foul on an onrushing Balham forward on the edge of the box, earning a yellow card. From the resulting free-kick, the danger was cleared. The match was becoming tetchy, with the referee showing several yellow cards.

Then, in the 41st minute, we took the lead after a superb team move starting in our left-back position. A few quick passes later, the ball reached Kingsley Anokye’s feet. He twisted and turned past two defenders, drew the keeper, and planted his shot into the Balham net.

Half-time: 1–0

We started the second half brightly, with Emmanuel Limpo running the length of the pitch before firing over from the left-hand side. Shortly after, we were unlucky not to double our lead when Luke Miller’s volley struck the left-hand upright. Balham then had a golden opportunity to equalise, but the shot went high and wide following an Epsom defensive error.

In the 58th minute, the game changed. Faebian, our goalkeeper, was sent off for delaying a goal-kick — his second yellow card — meaning he had to leave the field. Captain Adam Green donned the keeper’s jersey. We expected a backs-to-the-wall defensive effort, but instead we doubled our lead in the 68th minute. Toby Young beat two defenders and the keeper to a high ball, powering his header into the net — phew!

Our relief was short-lived, as Balham pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute. We braced ourselves for an onslaught, expecting them to push for an equaliser — or even a winner — with 17 minutes to play. In truth, it never fully materialised. Their efforts became increasingly desperate, with harmless balls into and around our penalty area, well dealt with by our defensive unit.

The tension remained high, but in the 96th minute we were awarded a penalty after Obasanjo Akinniranye was brought down in the box. Kingsley stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick with aplomb to seal a 3–1 victory.

This win took us back to the top of the table — although with the rest of the league playing on Saturday, time will tell if we stay there. What is beyond doubt is that this squad is united and fighting for each other. The team spirit in the clubhouse after the game was wonderful to see and is testament to the fact that, whatever is thrown at us, we remain a strong, collective unit both on and off the pitch. Long may that continue.

We now return to FA Cup action next Friday at the Reg Madgwick Stadium, when we entertain Step 4 side South Park in the Preliminary Round. Come down and support the lads — they really appreciate it, and let’s make it another night to remember!