Evans strikes late as Gaspar’s Walton make it two wins in a row

Monday 12 October 2026 · By Rosemary Molesey

Walton & Hersham’s revival under new manager Ruben Gaspar is gathering pace. The promoted Swans won 1–0 at AFC Totton on Saturday, with Makise Evans scoring on 83 minutes, to make it back-to-back wins and four league games unbeaten.

It was also their first clean sheet of the season, and on-loan goalkeeper Dillon Addai was the star of the afternoon. Alfie Newby made his debut, and Rovian Ostiana returned from international duty with Aruba, although he missed an open goal.

The win came four days after a 3–1 victory at Braintree Town on Tuesday 6 October. Those two wins have given Walton a big boost in their first season in the Enterprise National League South.

Gaspar was appointed as the club’s permanent first-team manager on 23 September. He had previously managed the club’s B team and stepped up to take interim charge of the first team alongside Wayne Andrews earlier in September. Born in Porto, he holds a UEFA A Licence and has coached at Queens Park Rangers, Oxford United and Aldershot Town.

Speaking on his appointment, Gaspar told the club website: “We’ll build a strong culture, set high standards and create a winning mentality based on hard work, honesty and integrity. The work starts now.”

The results suggest that work is paying off. Walton are 23rd in the table on eight points from 11 games, with two wins, two draws and seven defeats. They have scored ten goals and conceded 27. Their last five league results read lost, drawn, drawn, won, won.

They are level on points with Hampton & Richmond Borough and only two points behind Chesham United, AFC Totton and Braintree Town, so the gap to safety is now very small.

Walton were promoted as champions of the Southern League Premier Division South last season, and Gaspar’s appointment has been described by the club as providing continuity, as he was already familiar with the squad.

Walton will not play this weekend. Their scheduled home game against Dover Athletic on Saturday 17 October has been postponed because Dover are in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

When the league resumes, Walton travel to Horsham on Saturday 24 October. Horsham have not won in six league games, so it is a good chance for the Swans to extend their unbeaten run. They then host second-placed Salisbury on Tuesday 27 October.

The challenge is clear. Walton have conceded 27 league goals, one of the worst records in the division, but Saturday’s clean sheet showed that things are improving at the back. With Addai in fine form and Evans scoring the goals, the Swans have reason for optimism.

Four games unbeaten is a big step forward for a side who started the season badly. If Gaspar can keep the momentum going, Walton have every chance of climbing out of the relegation zone in the coming weeks.