Balham Blaze Past Lammas - Staines Lammas vs. Balham

It was an afternoon of sunshine and showers in Laleham

My initial plan this weekend had been to go to Weymouth for their FA Cup qualifier with Brimscombe and Thrupp but I'd forgotten I had people visiting in the evening and so I had to go for something a lot closer to home. I'd been meaning to visit Staines Lammas' Laleham Rec Ground home since they ended their ground share at Ashford and so this weekend was the ideal occasion for that. Their opponents in today's Combined Counties League Division One game were Balham. I hadn't visited a new Combined Counties Ground for a long time, the last one I think being Hartley Whitney which was a good three years ago. This was Balham's first season in the CCL following their promotion from The Surrey Elite League and they were more than holding own, sitting comfortably in mid table, one place above their opponents on the day. Lammas didn't have a match the previous weekend but claimed a decent friendly draw against Spelthorne in mid week.

Kick off at The Laleham Rec

The game has a fairly even start with Balham having the first clear cut opportunity when the forward heads the ball wide after being left unmarked at a free kick. Staines then come close as the attacker is able to get through the defence but his shot is blocked before the keeper is quick off his line to smoother the loose ball. The visitors take the lead when after a long ball forward the ball falls kindly for the Balham man who slots home from close range. They double their lead as the forward is played in and is tripped by the last man, the referee awards the penalty but takes no further action and the penalty is converted to make it two nil. Balham look to try and get out of sight before half time and the Staines keeper does well gather a miss hit which could have easily gone in.

Two nil Balham

Staines look to get back into the game straight away and the Balham defender does well to get his head to a threatening cross. It is however Balham who strike next. The Staines keeper makes an incredible low save from a close range header but the rebound is forced home. The heavens then open and while my back is turned heading towards some shelter, Balham get the fourth goal. Things then get worse for Staines when the player receives a harsh looking second yellow and the hosts are reduced to ten men. Balham now push for the firth and the Staines keeper does well to get quickly off his line and smoother a through ball before the forward can get there. Balham are then played in on goal but the chance is put wide of the target. Staines get a consolation goal from the penalty spot late on and they create a good chance for a second in the final moments but the cross is just too high.

Staines on the attack in the first half

Laleham is a commuter village just outside of Staines and it here where the nearest train station is located. Trains to Staines depart from Waterloo with the journey taking just under an hour. Then from Staines Bus Station you can catch the twice hourly 458 to the centre of the village which takes little over five minutes. There is a pleasant river side in Laleham and if you're lucky you'll one of the parakeets who live in large numbers in the local area. A short walk from the river side is The Three Horseshoes which is very much a gastro pub but had a good selection of beers. The Turks Head just opposite the ground is a more of a locals pub and had the early kick off on TV. The clubhouse is one of the best ones in The CCL and had Sky Sports as well as the usual selection of drinks.

View down the touchline towards the clubhouse