Walton & Hersham continue to fly the Southern League flag in the Isuzu FA Trophy as they created history by making it into the fifth round at the weekend.
A single-goal victory over National League outfit, Brackley Town, has handed the Premier South leaders a mouth-watering home tie against either Woking or Emirates FA Cup heroes, Macclesfield FC, at the end of January.
“I was over the moon after the win on Saturday,” talented goalkeeper, Jos Barker, told us. “Going in to the game, we all had the belief that we could win and progress further in the competition.
“We knew that if we could be defensively strong, then we have the talent at the top end of the pitch to make an impact and the game plan worked.
“It was a great feeling to get the win and create history for the club. I speak for the whole team when I say that we were all bursting with pride at the end and what we have achieved together.”
The prospect of facing Woking in the round of 16 is particularly appealing for Barker.
“I’m ecstatic with the draw in all honesty,” he added. “I live in Woking, so growing up my dad would always take me to Woking games and as I got older, I spent a lot of weekends standing in the KRE with my mates, so if Woking win tonight it would be a game I’d definitely be up for.
“If it’s Macclesfield that win tonight, well they just beat Crystal Palace, so I’d also have no complaints with that fixture as well!”
These are halcyon days for the Swans and Barker is playing his part with some reliable displays between the posts.
“The team are going strong this season,” he continued. “We will be hoping to bring these performances into the second half of the season as well. We all love playing and working hard for each other.
“It’s a great environment to be in; we’re putting the extra work in because we know that there is the opportunity for us to achieve something really special here.
“Personally I’m very pleased with my own performances this season. I feel I’m definitely playing the best I have ever played so far in my career with 17 clean sheets in all competitions so far.
“I’m really enjoying my football and playing for this club is an absolute pleasure. Obviously, for as well as we’ve done so far, the season is far from over and there is still plenty of football to be played.
“We’re taking things game by game and taking nothing for granted. We just have to keep doing the right things and maintain the high standards that we have displayed so far.
“Every team provides its own challenges and our focus now is firmly fixed on Weymouth on Saturday and getting three points from this encounter. That’s the way we doing things every week regardless of who we are up against.
“We know what we want to achieve this season, but we have to keep working hard in order to achieve those goals.
“Our main aim is to take the League title and then anything else that comes with that in the FA Trophy is a bonus.”
IMAGE: Walton & Hersham FC
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