Walton overcome disappointing Borough for away win
By Connor Steel
WALTON & HERSHAM secured a perfect double header over this Bank Holiday Weekend as they travelled to Gosport Borough for this latest Southern League Premier match on Monday afternoon (August 25); completing a dominant and perfect away performance against their ‘out-of-touch’ hosts that was enjoyed by one thousand fans at the AEI Stadium.
The visitors started quicker and were zipping passes with confidence on the artificial surface; Johl Powell seeing a fine effort blocked at source by a home defender at an angle. But Walton kept the pressure and forced Charlie Wassmer to make a poor back pass, which was intercepted by Dawid Rogalski who touched the ball into the net after nine minutes.
It should have been two-nil moments later when Anis Nuur’s attempt was saved sharply by Ryan Hall following a quick passing move whilst a corner looked to be heading into the top corner before being caught. There was further chances for Walton as Mason Obeng fired wide off target and Powell saw a low shot denied; this water break arriving soon after.
This ‘stoppage’ briefly assisted Gosport and they thought their leveller had arrived on the half hour; a corner seemingly bundled over the line including the keeper Josiah Barker who was awarded a free kick. And Walton responded with the second goal on 35 minutes when Rogalski finished a flowing attack; whilst he was denied his ‘hat trick’ before half time.
Although Borough were improved upon the restart, it was Walton who were looking dangerous; Jack Wood lashing his shot harmlessly wide after a cross was flicked into his path. Elliott Bolton then went close with an angled run and pass that evaded the back post sprint by Powell before the hour mark, that saw Teo Kurtaran introduced off Walton’s bench.
Further substitutions followed across the 2 benches including five within two minutes and this led to a spell with limited attacking intents, which ended when Rafa Ramos broke through and was denied brilliantly by Barker. This seemed like the last chance for Gosport and it led to a spate of frustrated tackles across both outfits resulting in four rapid bookings.
A ‘miserable’ afternoon was worsened when Gosport were reduced to ten men after eighty-eight minutes; Ethan Taylor shown a straight red for a late tackle ‘chasing down’ the defender. But to their surprise they arguably created their best chance via the nine minutes of added time as Ben Greenwood forced a diving free-kick save to preserve a clean sheet.
Their defeat is a 3rd loss in Gosport’s five league matches so far and ends a 2-game unbeaten run at the AEI Stadium this season, but nobody can state they deserved anything as Walton made it two wins in three days. Attention turns to the FA Cup this weekend as Borough are scheduled to play Basingstoke Town FC this Saturday afternoon (August 30).
PICTURED BY MJ PHOTOGRAPHY: Home striker gets through on goal in second half and prepares to drive on target.
