Balham Nullify Tadley - Balham FC 2-1 TCFC
A flat second half performance ultimately cost Tadley the game in South London last weekend as hosts Balham FC were able to nullify any attempt of an attack.
Tadley travelled to The Mayfield Stadium off the back of a home win last time out against Horley Town and were looking to secure another 3 points away to a Balham side with one win in six - albeit having played the current top 5 in the Combined Counties South.
After a largely uneventful first 20 minutes, the small crowd was finally treated to some action as the linesman on the near side pulled up with an injury. This resulted in a spectator (Fully qualified) picking up the flag and running the line for the remainder of the match.
The final 10 minutes of the half saw Tadley push forward in an attempt to lead at the break. A series of long throw ins were dealt with well by the Balham defence and the first 45 ended all square
Half Time Balham FC 0-0 TCFC
An early second half substitution saw the introduction of Brett Denham as Tadley changed their shape to try and force a way through the resilient Balham defence.
It wasn't to be though as all the attacking press came from the hosts with a shot narrowly missing the target just minutes after the substitution.
6 minutes later, on 56 minutes, a ball deep into the Tadley 18 yard box, from the left hand side, was turned in by the Balham forward to open the scoring. Tadley simply had not got going in the second half.
With still no joy in breaching the hosts back line, managers Ben Dillon & Joe Lawler made a double substitution and introduced some fresh legs in Ousman Darboe & Chris Horton.
Balham thought they had secured the win with 20 minutes to go when Adebayo picked up the ball on the half way line and carried the ball past the Tadley defence and into the box, he squared the ball for a tap in but the flag was up and the goal was ruled out for offside, a let off.
Moments later, a searching ball into the box was met by Alfie Saunders who was fouled in the air. Penalty to Tadley.
The golden opportunity to get level in the game was converted confidently and accurately by Ben Wright and against the run of play, the score was level.
No less than a minute later, Tadley fell behind again. A lapse in concentration allowed Adebayo once more to pick up the ball in a dangerous position and get a shot away. The shot rattled the post and fell kindly to his strike partner to tap home a second and put the hosts back infront.
Tadley could not get going after this and resorted to pumping the ball high up field, but to no avail.
A disappointing result on the road and full focus must now turn to Saturdays home fixture versus local side Alton FC.
