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Knott and Moreno score first goals as Tadley pick up four points




A spectacular fingertip save denied Tadley Calleva all three points in a 1-1 draw with Balham on Saturday.

Balham arrived at Barlows Park in a rich vein of form and were unbeaten in their last five but were behind inside 10 minutes when Jamie Johnston created space on the left hand side and picked out Rudy Knott, who marked his first Tadley start with a goal.

Balham equalised in the 27th minute when the hosts failed to deal with a corner and the visitors tapped in to level the scores at 1-1.

Tadley in action against Banstead Athletic
Tadley in action against Banstead Athletic
Ben Dillon and Joe Lawler watch on
Ben Dillon and Joe Lawler watch on

The London-based side had the wind in their sails and went close to a second five minutes before the break but a strong hand from Tadley goalkeeper James Andrews kept the hosts on terms.

Tadley had a chance of their own before half time when Johnston fashioned some space and bent a shot just wide of the Balham keeper's far post as an entertaining and evenly-contested half came to a close.

Following a frantic 10 minute spell at the start of the second period Knott spurned two chances to fire Tadley ahead, first missing after the Balham keeper had misplaced a pass that landed straight at his feet before failing to make proper contact with a strike in the 69th minute.

Both sides were trying to win the game and Tadley were looking the likelier but when a Ben Wright free-kick cannoned back off the post with four minutes left on the clock, the hosts were beginning to feel like it wasn't their day.

And it wasn't to be, a wonderful save at the death from Balham's goalkeeper made sure the visitors took a point back to south London as Tadley failed to win at home for the second time in succession.

"Balham are a very good side, I was impressed with them," Ben Dillon, Tadley's joint-manager, said.

"We haven't quite been firing on all cylinders, we've created a lot of chances but haven't taken them.

"We're playing well but haven't been getting results, it's frustrating.

"We've just got to keep plugging away and trust that we'll come good and start putting the ball in the back of the net again.

"I think Balham are the most underrated side in the league so it's not a bad point, we're happy with where we are."

Dillon's frustrations were assuaged on Tuesday night as two late goals helped his side to a 3-1 win at strugglers Banstead Athletic.

A 75th minute penalty for the home side cancelled out Brad Neal's opener before late strikes from Alex Fragata and Tiago Moreno, who marked his first team debut with a goal, fired the visitors to their first win since January 7.

Tadley are seventh in the Combined Counties Premier Division South table ahead of a trip to Horley Town on Saturday.



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