Basingstoke Town dropped down to second in the league for the first time since January, with a heavy 5-1 defeat to Walton & Hersham on Saturday.

The game was rightly advertised as a huge top-of-the-table clash in the days and weeks prior, with just one point separating league leaders Basingstoke and second-placed Walton as the day began.

The Swans had already tasted victory over the ‘Stoke this season, winning 1-0 in the reverse fixture at Winklebury back in December – thanks to a stunning Taurean Roberts strike.

With the bumper league-record crowd of 1,651 eagerly waiting in anticipation at the Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub, the game began and it was Walton & Hersham who registered the first clear opportunity of the game – through Teo Kurtaran. The midfield man, who impressed throughout the match, received a neat lay-off from in-form striker Eddie Simon before unleashing a rocket – which was tipped onto the bar well by Paul Strudley in the Basingstoke goal.

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The early chance proved to be a clear warning to the visitors, as Walton did end up taking the lead just over the 20-minute mark. Centre-back Mitchal Gough picked out Joe Pratley-Jones down the left flank with an excellent long ball. The No.17 swung in a dangerous cross, which was initially dealt with by Billy Upton, however Eddie Simon was quickest to react as he prodded the ball into the top-right corner. (1-0)

Basingstoke did, however, have some very good chances of their own to equalise shortly after. Ben Cook floated a free-kick straight into the box from the left-hand side, and central defender Billy Upton beat ‘keeper Liam Allen to it – heading down for striker Paul Hodges. Hodges leant back as he aimed to side-foot the ball into the empty net, though, and it sailed over the crossbar – to the frustration of the ‘Stoke supporters behind the goal.

It was then Brad Wilson’s turn to squander a brilliant opportunity, on the counter attack. Paul Hodges won the ball back from Harry Mills, before poking it through to top scorer Wilson. Basingstoke’s No.7 drove with the ball, but then placed a tame long-range effort into the hands of Liam Allen – rather than returning it to Hodges, who was breaking into space down the left.

The Swans made the visitors pay for their missed chances on the stroke of half-time, when Mitchal Gough rose highest to head home a Teo Kurtaran corner and double the lead. 2-0 at the break.

‘Stoke were vastly improved in the second period, and George Reid gave his side hope when he halved the deficit around five minutes after kick-off. Brad Wilson turned in from the left wing and played a neat pass into Ben Cook, who poked a first-time ball to Reid. Basingstoke’s No.11 then followed with a tidy one-two with James Clark, before he curled into the bottom-left corner. (2-1)

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The game was put just beyond the visitors’ reach around 15 minutes from time, however, as Alex Kelly restored Walton & Hersham’s two-goal advantage. John Gilbert played a quick free-kick to Jordan Adeyemi, who quickly returned it to the taker. Gilbert drew in a couple of Basingstoke defenders, before releasing Alex Kelly in behind the covering James Clark. The technical No.8 got his shot away early, just inside the 18-yard box, and it was brilliantly tucked into the bottom-left corner - out of Strudley’s reach. (3-1)

Things went from bad to worse for ‘Stoke, however, as Billy Upton was shown his second yellow card of the game – and was dismissed for dissent in the aftermath of the Swans’ third goal.

With just 10 minutes to play, John Gilbert played in Eddie Simon, who took a quick to touch to the left, before being bundled to the ground by the only out-and-out Basingstoke centre-back left on the pitch – Scott Armsworth. Referee Will Briers quickly pointed to the spot, and Harry Mills sent Strudley the wrong way as he converted the penalty. (4-1)

Walton had a quick flurry of big chances in the closing moments, but the majority were well-saved by Paul Strudley – who had a good game, despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise.

There was time for the Swans to add a fifth, however, as John Gilbert whipped in a cross from the right which was met by Jordan Adeyemi. (5-1)

It was pure jubilation for the Walton & Hersham supporters, but the complete opposite for the Basingstoke Town faithful who had endured an afternoon to forget in Surrey.

Walton now sit top of the Isthmian League South Central, two points ahead of Basingstoke, with four games left to play.

‘Stoke are back in action on Tuesday evening, when they head to AFC Portchester in the Hampshire Senior Cup – with a potential semi-final tie against Aldershot Town to play for.

The next league game comes on Good Friday, when Basingstoke will be hoping for a ‘Good’ result as Southall come to town.