Walton & Hersham vs Poole Town – Match Preview
An exciting end to the home clash with Yate Town on Saturday saw us take a point when at one stage, it looked like we were going to finish the match with nothing to show for our hard work. Yate were on top for much of the first half, but we took a one goal lead through Selim Saied. Yate came out with all guns blazing in the second half and their pressure resulted in a 2-1 lead. However, the Dolphins were not to be denied, and we took a well-deserved point by virtue of a penalty kick which was despatched by non-other than Shaquille Gwengwe. That point keeps us in second place in the table (P26 W14 D7 L5 49 points) 11 points behind the leaders Walton & Hersham, who have two games in hand having played 24 matches.
Most teams have played 26 games and as we move deeper into the second half of the season the table is beginning to take shape. Walton & Hersham are still way out in front but the next four, us, Gloucester City, Farnham Town and Gosport Borough, have opened a four-point gap on 6th placed Sholing. Farnham did much to secure their play-off place on Tuesday evening with an impressive 7-2 win over Hungerford Town. It’s going to be a long run in with many changes along the way we feel.
Next up for the Dolphins is the mouthwatering trip to the Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub this Saturday to face Walton & Hersham. It was only back in early December that we faced the runaway leaders at Tatnam where we considered ourselves unlucky not to have got more than the 2-2 draw. We fell behind to an early penalty but went into the break level at 1-1. Midway through the second half Shaquille Gwengwe put us in front from the spot, and both teams went all out for the win. However, substitute Ethan Light salvaged a point for Walton & Hersham with a late near post header from a corner.
The Swans perhaps surprisingly, come into the match on the back of a 3-1 defeat at Weymouth last Saturday, their first defeat since August. They have won 19 of their 24 matches and have yet to be beaten at home. The only points that they have dropped at home were in the goalless draw against Hungerford Town. They have scored 34 home goals so our defence will need to be at its best to keep them at bay.
The Swans are managed by Jakub Pietrzak. After being a part of Billy Rowley’s management team for the past two seasons, Jakub was appointed his successor following his departure in November. He spent time with Millwall as a first team scout, identifying talent for the Polish FA and working as a director and head coach for Elite Player Programme
Top scorer for The Swans is the forward Johl Powell on 11 goals. After being with Charlton Athletic as a young player, Johl played for Maidstone United on loan before moving to Dulwich Hamlet and then Tonbridge Angels. He joined Swans in January 2024 from Dover Athletic.
Not far behind with 10 goals is striker Dawid Rogalski. He signed for The Swans in the summer of 2024 from Marlow, who he helped win the Isthmian League South-Central Division Play-offs the previous season, scoring 45 goals in all competitions.
Pat and Joe will not have a great deal to do to motivate the team as we look forward to what is sure to be a very entertaining encounter between arguably the best two teams in the league this season.
Enjoy the game
Neil Wellington.