Match Report: Hersham Boys Leave it Late to Take the Points

Uxbridge 2-3 Walton & Hersham

For large periods of this match against table topping Walton & Hersham, Uxbridge more than held their own, even holding a one goal advantage at the break, ultimately though they were unable to hang on and it was The Swans who took all three points to strengthen their hold on top spot.

Uxbridge gave a full debut to Cam’ron Ismail, and George Moore made a welcome return from injury, where he would start on the bench. The Reds were forced into an early change in the tenth minute as Nnams Nwachuku pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury and was replaced by Ada Okorogheye. The first period though was very “bits and pieces”, with neither side imposing themselves on the match, although Okorogheye was already proving his attacking worth forcing Barker in the Walton goal into a save shortly after coming on. It was the visitors who led though on 21 minutes as a poor defensive clearance attempting to play the ball out of the box was pounced on by Johl Powell who calmly slotted home the opener. The home side almost immediately responded though when a cross from Okorogheye fell to Frank Keita whose shot was superbly saved by Barker low down and bounced over the bar. The Red Army didn’t have to wait long for the equaliser though, as on 31 minutes the lively Dan Hector played in Keita, whose low shot was parried by Barker, but in doing his best impression of an England slip fielder down under, he was unable to hold onto the ball and Okorogheye was quickest to react and tucked in the rebound to level the score. It wasn't long before Uxbridge then took the lead as on 36 minutes a good break saw Keita play in Ismail on the left of the box,who pulled back a fine low cross back for Hector to score with a composed finish. The Reds then saw out the remainder of the half to lead at the break

HT 2-1

The second half began with both sides creating opportunities, within two minutes of the restart good aggressive play by Hector dispossessed a defender on the edge of the box, the ball falling to Cole Brown, but his curling shot just went past the far post. The home side went close ten minutes later as Kai Hobbs' fine pass over the top setup Okorogheye who beat his man, but Keita fired the subsequent low cross wide. It was the visitors from Surrey who equalised though just on the hour mark, as some neat interplay around the box the ball came to Jack Wood on the edge of the box, and curled a superb shot beyond the reach of Rhys Forster. Walton began to exert some real pressure, Forster made a fine save on 62 minutes pushing a free kick round the past at full stretch, when it looked destined for the top corner, and then missing a gilt edge opportunity on 76 minutes as following a corner a deep header was played back across the goal, and Walton somehow contrived to put the loose ball wide, when it looked easier to score. With five minutes left, Hobbs made a superb last ditch tackle to deny Rogalski who appeared to be through on goal. Uxbridge still pressed for the winner, with substitutes Lawal and Moore almost combining with the former just unable to send Moore clear with a pass that was intercepted - sadly from the resulting breakaway, Walton scored the winner in the 90th minute as ball played in from the right found Rogalski who tucked home from close range to seal the late victory, and send Walton eight points clear at the top of the table.

For Uxbridge though, it was a case of what might have been, and a fifth game without a win, however this performance suggests that The Reds can turn round this lean run, and get back to winning ways soon.

FT 2-3

Att: 375

Uxbridge: Forster, Brown (Lawal), Ismail, Fearn, Stepney, Nnadozie, Hector (Moore), Giamattei (Prior-Tack), Nwachuku (Okorogheye), Hobbs, Keita