We’ve come up against three outstanding teams in this tough, tough division during this campaign: In the opening two months of the season, Merthyr‘s Martyrs marmalised us at Penydarren Park, Totton tonked us at the Testwood Stadium, and Walton & Hersham walloped us at the Wyatt Homes Stadium. Fast forward to the last seven weeks and we’ve seen from the reverse fixtures just how well Tim’s team has developed. League leaders Merthyr were very fortunate to preserve their long unbeaten run in a 1-1 draw; and Totton were decidedly second-best as we blew them away 3-1. On Saturday, Wimborne face a massive test against the third of those teams on their 3G pitch at the Elmbridge Sports Hub.
Billy Rowley’s Swans are swimming serenely in third place with a W20 D11 L6 GF 77 GA 49 record (the goals scored figure is the second best in the division); at home their record is W10 D7 L1. They are undefeated in the 15 games they’ve played in 2025. Their last defeat was 5-2 at Merthyr on 28th December; their only home defeat was 1-0 against Taunton on Bonfire night. They have scored in each of their last 19 league games. The Swans’ last six results: 2-1 at Gloucester, 3-0 at Supermarine, 3-3 at Hanwell, 2-0 at home to Poole, 2-1 at Taunton, and, on Saturday, an 85th minute equaliser earned them a 1-1 draw at home to Basingstoke, which leaves them second in the current form table (last six games) with a W4 D2 record.
Wimborne also have a W4 D2 last six games record: 2-1 at Chertsey, 3-1 at home to Totton, 0-0 at Supermarine, 1-0 at home over Plymouth Parkway, 1-0 at Frome, and, on Saturday, an 88th minute equaliser from Will Fletcher earned them a 1-1 at Gosport. The team’s unbeaten run is now ten games, a record for WTFC in Southern Prem, and on the road the boys are unbeaten in six. As a result, we’re third in the current form table, Merthyr are top (5W 1D). In the table that matters, The Magpies are eighth with a W14 D10 L13 GF 45 GA 50 record, the goals scored figure is the lowest outside the bottom four; on our travels the record is W4 D6 L8.
Which of Rowley’s men should we look out for on Saturday? Well, they were a really impressive outfit at The Wyatt Homes Stadium back in August, when all of them looked comfortable on the ball. But to pick out a couple, Johl Powell, Dawid Rogalski and Bobby Taylor have been among the goals in recent games.
Wimborne’s strength has been that defensive unit, currently the best in the division. But the boss may have to shuffle it around following Drew’s red card at Gosport. Further forward Matty Burrows and Will Fletcher are blossoming in the Spring sunshine.
This fixture has all the ingredients for being a late season sizzler as two of the division’s top form teams face each other. The Swans want to finish third or higher to have home advantage in the play-offs; The Magpies want to extend their undefeated run and have their highest-ever finish in the non-league pyramid.
We’ve visited the Elmsbridge Sports Hub three times before to play the now defunct Walton Casuals in 2018-19, 19-20, and 21-22 – winning once, losing once, and drawing once.
There are seats available on the team coach, contact Paula if you’re interested.
Walton & Hersham’s ground: Elmbridge Sports Hub, Waterside Drive, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 2JP – approx 90 miles
Average attendance: 674
Admission: adults £12, concessions £9, 13-21 £6, U12 £2.
Weather forecast: sunny; 16oC; <5% chance of rain.
