Review Sat 3 to Tue 6 Feb 2018

By Admin ccl

Balham excel in London Senior Cup, Westfield march on

Looking back to Saturday, it was another step towards the championship for Westfield, who enjoyed another substantial victory, this time by 5 goal to nil, at home to Guilford City.

The most amazing result though must have been the 8-4 success achieved by Balham away to Bedfont Sports. Sports led 4-3 with little less than 15 minutes to go but five goals in those closing minutes gave Balham an 8-4 win. The major beneficiary was Sutton Common Rovers, whose 2-0 victory away to bottom club Epsom & Ewell brought them to within a point of Bedfont, with a match in hand. Walton & Hersham's match away to AFC Hayes was postponed and the latter now have a lot of catching up to do following a whole series of postponements

In the Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup, Division One Worcester Park became the second club through to the semi-final with what sounds a fairly straightforward win over Premier Division Colliers Wood United by five goals to two.

In Division One, there were no fewer than three 3-3 draws. Bagshot did well to pick a point by that scoreline at Staines Lammas, whilst two o the other contenders, Badshot Lea and Sheerwater shared six goals at Camberley.

On Tuesday evening, the remaining two semi-finals in the Premier Cup were played out, resulting in wins for Knaphill (2-0 at Godalming Town) and Walton & Hersham (3-1 at Spelthorne Sports)

There was a nine goal thriller at Banstead where visitors Horley Town took all three points with a 5-4 win in a game that fluctuated throughout. CB Hounslow put up a fight against Westfield at home, but lost 2-4 in the end.

Division One saw both Badshot Lea and Staines Lammas back to winning ways, with wins at Bagshot and Raynes Park Vale respectively.

Arguably the result of the night though was achieved by Balham who travelled to Bostick Premier side Hendon and won 2-1 to ensure their place in the semi-finals of the London Senior Cup. Hendon were generous on their web site, acknowledging that Balham deserved to win as per the following extract: " The first team were dumped out of the London Senior Cup this evening as they were beaten 2-1 by Balham, who play two levels lower than the Greens.

It was a thoroughly deserved win for the South London side, who are rapidly progressing through the leagues, with 5 promotions in the last 6 years. And it was Balham who set the pace in the opening period, hitting the woodwork in the first couple of minutes. They were rewarded for their efforts in the 34th minute when Arsen Ujkaj found the back of the net.

Within five minutes of the restart, Ibz Olutunde doubled the lead, only to see Oliver Sprague pull a goal back in the 55th minute. Whilst the Greens had the bulk of second half possession, Balham continued to be well disciplined and defended superbly to keep chances to a minimum and ensure their progression to the semi-finals. "

Balham will face a tough semi-final away to Harrow Borough or Dulwich Hamlet, date tba.

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