Southern League Premier South – Saturday 21st February 2026
Walton & Hersham 6 vs 2 Basingstoke Town Attendance 727
Where: Elmbridge Xcel Centre, Waterside Drive, Walton-On-Thames, Surrey. KT12 2JP
Manager Dan Brownlie with a number of enforced changes, went with a starting line-up of: 1. Simon Grant, 2. Elliott Legg, 3. Joe O’Loughlin, 4. Scott Armsworth, 5. Jack Ball, 6. Billy Upton (Capt), 7. Joe Grant, 8. James Dickson, 9. Cheick Sylla, 10. Josh Green, 11. Tom Blake,
On the bench: Charlie Prall, James Clark, Ben Cook, Joe Barough, George Reid
Referee – Deryll David
After a bright start from Stoke in the opening minutes, the first chance came to the homeside, as Simon Grant was forced into a diving save.
Stoke had its first half-chance on seven minutes as a cross from the left, was just out of reach of Billy Upton inside the goalmouth.
Four minutes later, Walton took the lead, as their forward had acres of space on the right, who beat Grant in goal with his shot from just inside the penalty area. Walton & Hersham 1-0 Basingstoke
Stoke were to hit back on the twenty-minute mark, as a cross into the Walton penalty area, saw a Walton defender mis-timed his challenge as he went into the back of Cheick Sylla, giving the referee no option but to award the penalty. It was Sylla, who picked himself to beat the Walton keeper for the equaliser GOAL! Walton & Hersham 1 – 1 Basingstoke Town (Sylla 20 mins Pen)
Walton went looking for another goal, but good defensive work from Upton and the a minute later by Jack Ball, kept the homeside at bay.
Stoke were also still looking for a second, and good work down the right, saw Tom Blake force a save down low as the Walton keeper cleared the shot with his feet.
Jack Ball then appeared to have picked up an injury, but was able to return to the field a minute later.
Stoke with a more defensive set-up, continued to hold their own in the middle, as went into four minutes of added-time, which apart from a Walton shot that was dragged wide of the left-hand post, there was little to note, as we went into the break level.
Halftime Score: Walton & Hersham 1 vs 1 Basingstoke Town
The second-half got underway and it soon became clear that Jack Ball’s first-half injury, was more serious and he was replaced by James Clark (49 mins).
Stoke continued to look for the next goal, as Tom Blake received the ball just inside Walton’s half, as he drove twenty-yards, before hitting his shot high over the bar.
The league leaders started to push forward, and two shots were well blocked by Stoke defenders.
Stoke were then made to pay for poor marking at the back, as a corner from the left, saw a Walton forward on his own in front of Simon Grant, and the ball was knocked home. Walton & Hersham 2-1 Basingstoke
Walton were to increase their lead, as from their own goal-kick, a long clearance down the middle, appeared to dissect our defence, and a Walton forward ran onto the ball, and slid the ball past Grant in goal. Walton & Hersham 3-1 Basingstoke
A minute later, Walton came close to making it four, but good work from Scott Armsworth, who blocked the shot.
Stoke continued to battle, and a ball fell to Josh Green eight yards out, but his shot was punched clear by the Walton keeper.
Stoke’s hard work, was to pay dividends, as we were back in Walton’s penalty area a minute later, and a chip across the face of the goal by Joe O’Loughlin, was well retrieved by Elliott Legg, who sent back a cross from the right, which saw Blake rise above the Walton defenders, heading the ball home into the net from four yards. GOAL!! Walton & Hersham 3 – 2 Basingstoke Town (Blake 68 mins)
This was to be Elliott Legg’s last input of the game, as Stoke made its second-change, as he was replaced by George Reid (69 mins).
Two minutes later, Walton should have regained their two-goal lead, but their forward fortunately dragged his shot wide of the goal.
With Stoke going all-out to get back into the game, Walton were starting to find holes at our back, and Walton were to add their fourth, as another shot inside the penalty area, found the net. Walton & Hersham 4-2 Basingstoke
Stoke made two more changes, with Billy Upton replaced by Ben Cook, and James Dickson replaced by Joe Barough (80 mins).
Stoke won a corner on the right, but Joe Grant could not direct his header on the goal.
Walton’s fifth was to arrive, as a Walton player drove thirty-yards untouched into our half, and then slid the ball past Grant in goal. Walton & Hersham 5-2 Basingstoke
In the first-minute of added-time, Ben Cook was to win a header, that forced the Walton keeper to tip the ball over the bar.
Walton continued to attack, and their sixth goal came deep into added-time. Walton & Hersham 6-2 Basingstoke
Fulltime Score: Havant & Waterlooville 6 vs 2 Basingstoke Town
Odiase 11 mins, Savage 58 mins, Sylla 20 mins (Pen), Blake 68 mins
Powell 62 & 78 mins, Obeng 84 mins,
Horan 94 mins,
Match Thought’s
Let’s be clear, Walton are the runaway leaders for a reason, as they attack with skill and pace, and finish a good percentage of their chances.
Stoke battled well, and gave a good account of themselves for an hour or so, but Walton had another gear to go to if they needed it. More injuries to the squad will not help us moving forwards, but with other results from teams around us, we still sit in fourteenth place.
Up Next:
We are back at Winklebury on Tuesday night as we host Gosport Borough in the Hampshire Snr Cup Qtr-final
Match Report by Martin French..
English 
Polish 