Bolton hails his patched-up side

Aug 27 2008 By John Whitbread, Surrey Herald

RYMAN LEAGUE SOUTH Walton & Hersham................... 1 Godalming................................ 0

It may not have been pretty, and they might not have got out of second gear, but Walton's fourth successive victory was enough to leave them on top of the table on Monday.

With local arch rivals Kingstonian only managing a draw, it left a weary but elated Swans as the only club in the division left with a 100 per cent record.

"I know it was a real struggle, but it was no surprise after the incredible amount of effort they put in to beat a really strong Folkestone side on Saturday." said proud manager Jimmy Bolton

"When we came to the ground today I knew it would be difficult.

"We had lost Matt Elverson with a head injury and Jon Boswell had to carry an injury the whole game, while the rest of the guys were almost playing on empty.

"So I have to give all credit to the lads for digging deep and getting a result, however they had to do it.

"I am certain that, given the circumstances, we would have lost that game last year.

"The lads showed great character, and if you can win ugly as we did today, it is no bad thing for our future chances. I am sure it is something we will need at Hythe in the FA Cup on Saturday."

Swans certainly struggled to over-come a Godalming outfit who played neat constructive football in midfield, but lacked a killer punch.

The breakthrough came four minutes before the interval when Zak Graham was fouled just outside the box and Adam Moriarty grabbed his first goal of the season with a curling low free kick just inside the near post.

Bolton tried to freshen things up by replacing Jack Watkins, Jason

Cheadle and Phil Cramp for Tommo Carter, Craig Dunne and Zak Graham.

But it was Godalming who had the better second half chances. Aaron Nowacki had to clear off the line after keeper Anthony Hall made a rare hash of a free kick, while Brahim Eloumani then rattled the home crossbar with a curling effort.

Walton might have made it two just before the end when Adrian Stone got in an excellent cross from the right and Stuart Booth came steaming in, only to see his shot just hacked away at the far post by the outstanding Godalming captain Richard Taylor.

* TWO DAYS earlier, the introduction of substitute Zak Graham proved to be an inspired one as the young Walton striker scored two superb goals in a four minute spell, to complete a superb fight-back.

Graham had only been on the pitch for five minutes against Folkestone Invicta when he met Phil Cramp's cross from the right, and the Invicta keeper could only watch as the ball fizzed low past him off the inside of his right-post.

And four minutes later, Stuart Booth put over a high cross from the right, and Graham leapt at the far post to send a terrific header looping into the top corner to give Swans a 2-1 win.