MATCH PREVIEW | Walton & Hersham FC (A)

Attention turns to Saturday, with the boys rewarded with a glamour tie in the first round of the FA Trophy against step 3 outfit Walton & Hersham. The Dons will travel down with a strong away contingent, as we look to cause another cup upset. Kick off 3pm.

Need to know

Founded: 1945

Nickname: The Swans

Manager: Billy Rowley

League: Southern League Premier Division South

Stadium: Elmbridge Sports Hub

Capacity: 2097

Hendon

As The Dons prepare to face Walton & Hersham this weekend, Hendon will be hoping to channel the spirit of Oldham away 2024 and continue our tradition of defying expectations in the FA Trophy. On that historic day, arguably one of the greatest in our history since we secured a place in the last 16 for the first time since 1999, Niko was there that day to score an injury-time winner that capped off a memorable day for the club.

That is why when we travel south this Saturday, we mustn't forget what this club, its fans and players are capable of. Although we are coming off the back of a tough result away to Portchester, the lads will know that this is a real test of character and quality. Walton & Hersham are a team that are a step above us in the football pyramid and with that comes an expectation for them to just roll us over. As we have shown in the past, Hendon always work best when we are the underdogs.

As Ben alluded to in his post-match interview, Saturday's not a free hit any more because we need to get out of the rut of winning games then losing a few. Now is a time in the season to start getting a consistent run of form going. With Tuesday night's wake-up call, the players will be eager to put on a performance. Especially, for the first-class Dons who turned up to support their team on a cold, wintry night in Hampshire.

It will probably be similar to the Dulwich game in the previous FA Trophy tie, where itll be a backs against the wall type performance if we are to grab a victory. For that to happen the back five, which usually picks itself will need to perform well, with the likes of Big Dave and Khrokin looking to lead the backline. Also, protection needs to come from whoever is anchoring the midfield, whether that be Ferrini or Grey who will most likely partner mainstay Rohdell Gordon.

Whatever the result The Dons will have as always, a fantastic away following and after Bens call for more fight, the lads will be giving their all to get a result this weekend.

Opposition

Founded in 1945 through the merger of Walton FC and Hersham FC, Walton & Hersham Football Club has long been a staple of Surreys footballing identity. The Swans had soared from early, winning three consecutive Corinthian League titles in the late 1940s and later claiming the Athenian League crown in 1969. Their golden era came in 1973, when they lifted the FA Amateur Cup at Wembley, famously thrashing Brian Cloughs Brighton 40 on the way.

However, the departure of manager Allen Batsford and several key players to Wimbledon marked the beginning of a decline. The club slipped down the Isthmian League and endured decades of fluctuating fortunes, including near extinction in the late 1970s and a brief presidency by England great Sir Stanley Matthews.

Fast forward to 2019, and Walton & Hersham were languishing in the 10th tier of English football, drawing fewer than 50 fans per match. So that summer, a group of seven university students aged just 19 stepped in to save the club, purchasing it for 1 and becoming the youngest owners in world football. Their youthful energy and digital savvy expertise transformed The Swans into a modern Non-League phenomenon, with over 1.1 million TikTok followers and a growing global fanbase.

Under their stewardship, the club achieved three promotions in five seasons and now competes in the Southern League Premier South. Crowds have surged to over 700 per game, and the team plays at the Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub, which has fantastic facilities.

With a new ownership structure in place as of late 2024, The Swans continue to grow and are a club that are where we would like to get to.

Last five results

Hendon

AFC Portchester 2-1 Hendon

Hendon 1-0 Horndean

QPR U21s 1-1 Hendon (QPR W Pens) 2-1

Hendon 1-4 Bognor Regis Town

Harrow Borough 4-1 Hendon

Walton & Hersham

Farnham Town 1-2 Walton & Hersham

Yate Town 1-2 Walton & Hersham

Walton & Hersham 2-1 Havant & Waterlooville

Walton & Hersham 1-0 Wimborne Town

Hayes & Yeading 0-0 Walton & Hersham (3-4) pens

Club Honours

FA Amateur Cup: Winners (197273)

Athenian League: Winners (196869)

Corinthian League: Winners (194647, 194748, 194849)

Surrey Senior Cup: Winners (194748, 195051, 196061, 196162, 197071, 197273)

CCL Premier Challenge Cup: Winners (202122)

Barassi Cup: Winners (197374)

Opposition Gaffer

Billy Rowley may be one of the youngest managers in the Southern League, but his impact at The Swans has been anything but novice. Appointed as permanent first-team manager in May 2024 after a successful interim stint, Rowley has quickly become synonymous with the clubs high-energy, pressing style of play.

Rowleys coaching pedigree includes time spent in the academy setups of Chelsea, Millwall, and Fulham, experiences that have shaped his philosophy of nurturing young talent and instilling tactical discipline. Under his guidance, Walton & Hersham have become known for their never say die attitude, scoring in the 90th minute or beyond in six of their League matches last season.

His appointment was met with enthusiasm by the clubs director Chris Corey, who praised his role in the clubs recent growth and his commitment to attractive, attacking football. With a contract running until at least 2026, Rowley is clearly seen as a long-term figurehead for the Swans.

As Hendon prepare to face Walton & Hersham in the FA Trophy, theyll be up against a side moulded by a manager, who blends youthful exuberance with tactical maturity, which is a combination that has made the Surrey-based outfit one of the most exciting teams to watch in the division.

One to watch

Leading the line for Walton & Hersham is the Polish Pele Dawid Rogalski, a forward whose journey through the tiers of English and Polish football has shaped him into a clinical and composed presence in front of goal. Born in Szczytno, Poland, and raised in England from the age of five, Rogalski has a perfect blend of European flair mixed with gritty Non-League toughness.

Since joining The Swans in July 2024, Rogalski has quickly become a talismanic figure. Wearing the number 9 shirt, he has netted 9 goals this campaign and is The Swans top scorer, showcasing his ability to find space and finish with precision. Rogalski is a technical target man, as the 29-year-old centre-forward offers a physical threat in the box and a deft touch in build-up play.

His career has taken him from youth stints at Maidenhead United and Wealdstone to professional spells in Poland with GKS Katowice and Resovia Rzeszw, before returning to England where he enjoyed a prolific run with Marlow, scoring 43 goals in two seasons.

Rogalskis experience and eye for goal make him a key figure in Billy Rowleys attacking setup. The Greens backline will need to be alert to his movement and clinical edge, especially in transition, so Ben and his staff will need to find a plan to nullify one of the best strikers in step 3.

Written by Kyle Bodker