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Walton & Hersham 0 - 1 Whyteleafe
Saturday 24th January 2009
Ryman Division One South

Whyteleafe secured a well deserved victory, their first since November with a courageous attacking display at Walton's Stompond Lane. After mid-week experimentation in a cup defeat at Merstham, manager Stuart Massey returned his players to more familiar positions.

'Leafe attacked from the off and in the second minute a Mark Hammond corner was headed on by Asher Hudson to Andrew Martin to force a save from keeper Tom McNeill. Five minutes later the visitors won a penalty after Callum Maclean was chopped down by Matt Elverson in the area. Despite looking to be the "last man" Elverson surprisingly only suffered a yellow card and Martin's tame penalty was comfortably saved by McNeill.

Walton did threaten on the break and on ten minutes Jason Goodchild who had a magnificent afternoon at right-back made a vital interception to deny Owusu-Bekoe a shot on goal. Leafe remained on top with both Hudson and Martin further testing the busy McNeill before his opposite number Rob O'Hara was forced to make a final double save from Dave Stevens and Adam Moriarty on 35 minutes.

The last chance of the half saw Leafe skipper Paul Scott hit a drive from 25 yards which McNeill turned around his post.

After the break the home side pushed forward and on 55 minutes a Jordan Cheadle screamer rattled O'Hara's crossbar. The game grew increasingly competitive with some crunching tackles and tempers flairing but referee Mr Jaye enjoyed a fine game and kept order, still allowing play to flow.

On 74 minutes Leafe took the lead when a Hammond free-kick was parried by McNeill but Rob Smith latched on to the rebound to fire home. Three minutes later Scott again shot from distance, his drive flying just the wrong side of the post.

The visitors remained in control of the game and at the final whistle celebrated an excellent and crucial victory that lifts them a little further away from the relegation-zone.

Whyteleafe: O'Hara, Hudson, Jabbie, Maclean, Broomhead (Conroy 60), Goodchild, Gray, Smith, Martin, Scott, Hammond (Green 85). Subs not used: Mann, McKenzie, Murray-Price.


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