WALTON & HERSHAM 1, FARNHAM TOWN 0

RESURGENT Walton & Hersham made it four wins and four clean sheets in their last five Combined Counties League matches as they edged past Farnham at Stompond Lane on Saturday.

But Town were unlucky to come away with nothing to show for their grit and determination as they strove to make amends for a disastrous 5-0 defeat at Bedfont Sports in midweek.

Farnham had a depleted squad out for that game and availability problems continued to dog them on Saturday, with Max Meaton having to start in an unfamilar central midfield position.

He proved a good choice, full of energy and selfless running, and with Farnham looking solid in defence, the in-form Swans were limited to just one decent chance in the first half.

In the 27th minute, Louis Taylor’s left-foot blockbuster looked destined for the top corner, but Richard Ossai, who made one appearance for Walton last season, pulled off an acrobatic tip-over save.

The visitors then caught Walton napping as Meaton broke down the right and drove a dangerous low ball across the six-yard box.

Approaching half-time, TJ Nkoma crossed from the left and Jamil Okai headed over the Town crossbar when a goal beckoned.

But it was Okai who took advantage of a fatal Farnham lapse on 53 minutes. Substitute Malachi Thomas, sent clear by Nkoma’s long pass, could have gone for goal, but instead laid the ball across to an unmarked Okai who stroked it home.

Farnham pushed hard for an equaliser and the Swans were hard pressed to defend their lead. Elliott Cardona drove the ball just over from a free-kick and, late in the game, Meaton’s long-range strike brought the best out of keeper Liam Beach.

“We were able to compete against a top-four side for long periods, even though we were five players short,” said manager Paul Tanner.

“We move on to Saturday at home to Knaphill. I believe we need four to six points to secure our position for next season as the lower teams have started to pick up.”

Farnham: Ossai, Horner, Williams, Spiers, Ford, Cox, Peck (Holland 87), Staines, Poole, Meaton, Cardona. Subs (not used): Nelson, Wilson, Slater, Owusu.