Three changes from the side that lost on Boxing Day. Finley Walsh-Smith and Charlie Wassmer both come in to partner up in defence. They came in for Rory Williams and Joe Morrison. Hisham Kasimu made his debut up front since co-signing from AFC Totton, coming in for Trevor Caborn, who is on the bench.

The first chance of the game fell to the visitors when Gosport countered down the left after comfortably dealing with a Swans’ corner. Michael Fernadnes led the charge before squaring into Rafael Ramos inside the opposition box. The pass was just a little bit too slow which meant by the time Ramos received the ball, the Walton keeper had already charged him down to make the save.

Defise on fourteen minutes from inside his own half slid a wonderful through ball into Powell sending him through on goal. Powell rifled a shot past Blackledge to open the scoring.

Defise played another blinder of a pass ten minutes later, this time from the halfway line feeding a ball into Wood. The home-side striker went a little too early with his run, seeing him offside, but nonetheless struck a powerful shot wide of the post.

Gosport had an ideal opportunity to level when a Charlie Wassmer long, high-hit pass, dropped to Kasimu. He played it back to Ethan Taylor open in front of goal, who went for goal but Barker made a great stop to keep his side’s advantage.

Unfortunately for the visitors’, the Swans grabbed their second on 33 minutes. Fernandez striding down the centre of the pitch drove a pass right into Wood who played a cross into goalscorer Powell. The Walton Nu10 confidently slotted his second into the back of the net to increase the lead.

First-half | Walton & Hersham 2-0 Gosport Borough.

Powell nearly turned provider ten minutes into the second interval when he received a pass from Wood right of the penalty box. The Walton-man fed a pass into danger-man Rogalski who stabbed a shot just wide.

Debutant Hisham Kasimu had his first chance in his new colours after Rafael Ramos knocked a ball inside the hosts’ box. Kasimu didn’t connect too well with the ball, slashing his chance well wide.

Rogalski had another brilliant opportunity to find his goal when Barker’s goal kick bounced forward to him behind the Gosport backline. The striker got onto the end of the ball before dragged wide again.

The final big opportunity fell to the league leaders when a last minute Gosport corner was caught by Barker. With Gosport keeper Henry Blackledge coming up for the corner it meant we had very little back to defend the counter. Barker drop-kicked it onto Obeng and from thirty yards out, the Nu7 went for an audacious shot from distance which rolled wide.

The final whistle followed shortly after as it finished:

Full-Time | Walton & Hersham 2-0 Gosport Borough.

A Massive Thank You to every one of the Gosport Borough Supporters who went to the game in great numbers in freezing conditions to support the boys…..as always you were Awesome!

Gosport will be looking to bounce back next week away to Plymouth Parkway in another difficult challenge. We look forward to seeing you at that one, but final words from me: UP THE BORO!!!