By James Gray
Dorchester Town will be targeting a first win of the season today (3pm KO) as Walton & Hersham make the trip from Surrey to the Avenue Stadium. The two sides produced a pair of hotly-contested Southern League Premier South fixtures last season, enroute to each securing a play-off finish.
Both sides will be looking to bounce back from midweek defeats to Tiverton Town and Hanwell Town respectively, and, with clear, summer weather forecast, it's set to be yet another bumper occasion to get down and support the lads! Here's what you need to know ahead of the visit of Walton & Hersham.
Walton & Hersham In Brief
Founded: 1945
Nickname: The Swans
Stadium: Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub
Capacity: 2,097 (318 seated)
Playing Surface: Artificial
Ones To Watch
Walton boast a wealth of dynamic, attacking talent at their disposal, and no-one epitomises that more than striker Dawid Rogalski, who finished last season as the club's top scorer in the league (22).
Elsewhere, fellow attacker Jack Wood has started the season in fine form, with an opening day hat-trick against Plymouth Parkway, whilst former Woking and Salford City midfielder Joey Jones brings considerable experience to what is an otherwise youthful Swans squad.
The Gaffer
Billy Rowley oversaw an impressive first season in charge of the Swans, culminating in a third-place league finish and Surrey Senior Cup final win over National League South side Dorking Wanderers.
Rowley was part of the management team that helped Walton & Hersham achieve three successive promotions to Step Three, having initially joined the club as assistant manager in 2020.
Previous Meeting
Last April, the Magpies ended Walton & Hersham's impressive 16-game unbeaten league streak, with a 1-0 win at the Avenue Stadium. Amidst a feverish atmosphere, Olaf Koszela's second-half penalty was enough to decide a tight contest, which ebbed and flowed throughout.
Dorchester fans can remind themselves of that day and watch Koszela's winning spot-kick here!
Form Guide
Magpies - DL
Dorchester are still looking for their first league win of the season, after a goalless opening day draw away to Uxbridge, which was followed up days later with a 3-1 home defeat to Tiverton Town.
Swans - WL
Walton & Hersham will be looking to put right the wrongs from a 1-0 defeat away at Hanwell Town in midweek. The Swans kickstarted their season with a blockbuster 6-3 home win over Plymouth Parkway.
Magpies Mind-Boggler
1.) Dorchester drew 2-2 away at Walton & Hersham last season, with both Magpies goals scored by the same player. Who was the man at the double for Killick's side?
2.) For a time during the 1980s, Walton and Hersham's club president was none other than the first winner of the prestigious Ballon d'Or award. Can you name them?
See answers at the bottom of page
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Team News
Dorchester will be boosted by the return of defender Will Spetch, after he served the last of his two-match suspension against Tiverton, and there may yet be further good selection news with Killick hopeful that Jack Dickson could return from injury.
The Magpies, however, will remain without Gerard Benfield, Wes Fogden and Marcus Daws all through injury. Ollie Haste is also a doubt, after picking up a knock midweek.
Admission Prices
Adults: £12 in advance online / £14 on the turnstiles
Concessions: £10 in advance online / £12 on the turnstiles
Students: £9 in advance online / £11 on the turnstiles
Aged 12 to 16: £4 in advance online / £6 on the turnstiles
Under 12s: £1 in advance online / £3 on the turnstiles
Tickets for the visit of Walton & Hersham can be purchased in advance here.
Travel Information
Full travel information on how to reach the Avenue Stadium can be found here.
Magpies Mind-Boggler Answers:
1.) Jack Dickson
2.) Sir Stanley Matthews