MATCH REPORT: Walton & Hersham 1-0 Wimborne Town
Wimborne Town were beaten 1-0 at league leaders Walton and Hersham, after an early Johl Powell goal decided the tie at the Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub.
Despite a resilient effort from the Magpies, in particular with substitutes Max Bustamante and Ajani Burchall bringing extra energy in a dominant second half, they were unable to find an equaliser in their first away match since 10th September.
Tim Sills made just one change to his side, with Josh Carmichael replaced by Owen Roundell after the midfielder’s accumulation of yellow cards leading to an untimely suspension.
The visitors started on the front foot, but it was Walton who had the first real chance of the match. On six minutes, Dawid Rogalski slipped a ball into Powell who tried to round Cam Plain, but the Wimborne stopper was able to get a touch on it and clear.
The Swans took the lead five minutes later after a great ball was played out from the Walton midfield before a cross was put in from the right-hand side and parried by Plain straight to Powell, who poked in from close range.
Wimborne didn’t let the early deficit get to them, with Cam Munn finding space in the 19th minute to get a shot away after a scuffle in the box, though it was comfortably held by Jos Barker.
As the first half went on, the Magpies grew into proceedings and started to threaten. In the 40th minute, Roundell flicked a ball over the top of the Walton defence and Lewis Williams was there to chase onto it, disappointingly being just beaten to it by Barker.
With only a few minutes remaining before half time, Munn won the ball brilliantly high up the pitch and won a foul outside the box. Josh McQuoid delivered towards Will Fletcher whose header looped high and bounced out of play.
The Magpies carried their momentum from the latter stages of the first-half, with multiple crosses into the box testing the Swans’ defence within the first ten minutes of the second period. Munn had another big chance in the 57th minute after Alex Borges put in a cross that fell to his feet, getting the shot away but seeing it blocked well.
Bustamante was brought on for Borges with half an hour to go, as Sills looked to add fresh legs to the Wimborne attack. Burchall and Joe Smith were also introduced.
Burchall’s lively cameo was highlighted at 82 minutes on the clock, as he got past a few Swans players on the right side but lost his footing attempting a cross. Moments later, he broke away from a defender outside the box and unleashed a shot that was well saved.
Richardson, another substitute, diverted a shot over the bar from distance as the Magpies started to feel the pressure of the clock. In the five minutes added on, Bustamante managed three attempts on goal but was unable to create late jubilation for the visitors.
The final whistle confirmed a narrow 1-0 defeat at league leaders Walton & Hersham. The loss leaves the Magpies in eighth position after ten games played, picking up 15 points in that time. Next up is a return to the Wyatt Homes Stadium, hosting Yate Town on Tuesday night.
Plain; Eccott-Young, Walker, Roberts, Jackson; Roundell, McQuoid, Munn (Richardson 87’); Borges (Bustamante 58’), Williams (Burchall 71’), Fletcher (Smith 75’)
Unused sub: Scorey
Match report by Euan Thomas
