Winchester City came from behind to obtain their first home league win of the season, and in the process achieved both their first league win in eight games and their first league success for eight weeks.  The result moved Winchester two points clear of the relegation zone and represented the second successive season in which Winchester came from behind to win the home fixture against Walton and Hersham 2-1.

Walton and Hersham, who joined this division last season after three successive promotions, finished two places and three points off a playoff place.  They went into this match in sixth place and obtained 18 points from 10 league games with just two league defeats in the process.

There have been a lot of changes at Walton and Hersham since last season with manager Scott Harris leaving the club and taking many of last season's players with him.  However, Nana Owusu and Johl Powell who were both amongst the scorers in Walton and Hersham's 3-1 against Winchester last season were still important players in Walton and Hersham's attacking play.  Joey Jones, whose form as a box-to-box midfielder helped Eastleigh reach the National League playoffs in 2018/19 earned him a move to Salford City for whom he made 21 football league appearances. was the Walton and Hersham captain in Saturday's game.

Winchester's last three games had seen a total of five players go off the field with injuries and these players were three defenders in Jordan Rose, Kieran Douglas and Callum Buckley and midfielders in Dom Panesar-Dower and Dan Bartlett. None of them were in Winchester's match day squad for this game.  It is also fair to say that, in addition, some of the players who were included in this were not completely match fit.  However, the one change to the starting line-up from Tuesday saw Danny King replace Buckley. The Winchester substitutes bench was unchanged from Tuesday.

The visitors started the game very strongly with a cross early on by Johl Powell finding David Rogalski whose effort was only just off target.  However, Walton and Hersham did take the lead in the 4th  minute when, from a Tom Olyott free kick, Nani Owusu headed home.  Walton and Hersham continued to be very much on top in the game's early stages with Jordan Esprit hitting the bar.

Winchester came back into the game as the half progressed with Jamie Barron forcing a save from Jack West-Astuti in the visitor's goal and Josh McCormick putting in a cross that no one could get a decisive touch to.  Walton and Hersham also had a goal disallowed and always looked a threat when they attacked with their pace up front especially on the right flank causing Winchester plenty of problems.  In truth after their early dominance, Winchester probably did well to restrict Walton and Hersham to a one-goal advantage at the interval.

At half time Winchester replaced Danny King, one of the players struggling for fitness, with Mark Jamison who moved into the centre back with Alex Wilkie switching to left back and also making some switches to the formation.  This soon proved beneficial early in the second half when, from an excellent cross by Josh McCormick, Tommy Wright headed home, and Mark Jamison gave a very solid performance at centre-back.

After the equalizer, it was very much an end game with the visitors David Rogalski having a shot saved by Winchester goalkeeper Luke Cairney and Johl Powell having an effort blocked.  Walton and Hersham also had a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions one of which resulted in a disallowed goal.

Winchester also in the second half had bought on substitutes Luka Chalwell and Simba Mlambo for Ollie Griggs and Trevor Caborn and later in proceedings George Britton came on for Tommy Wright.  It was in fact two of the substitutes who combined for the winning goal with George Briton shortly after coming on for his Winchester debut producing an excellent run and cross that was headed home by Simba Mlambo.

Even after Winchester took the lead in the 88th minute the game remained end to end, but there were no further goals as Winchester obtained a much-needed win, with Tommy Wright having the distinction of scoring in both of Winchester's 2-1 victories against Walton and Hersham on this ground.

After the game, Winchester manager Craig Davis was very complimentary about Walton and Hersham, saying they were a good side who had improved since last season which added to his satisfaction with the result.

After Tuesday's home game with Gloucester, Winchester are away to Tavistock in the FA Trophy on Saturday.