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Another match severely affected by adverse weather conditions resulted in a hard earned draw for Whyteleafe against a strong Walton side sitting high in the table.
A wet pitch and a swirling wind demanded a crisp passing game but both teams seemed content to lump the ball high in the air and as a result neither side created many convincing chances. Whyteleafe played into the wind in the first half and at times the defence were stretched but the home side forwards struggled to chase over hit long balls.
If anything, it seemed easier to attack into the wind with the ball holding up and Sam Butler looked the most effective player on the pitch during the first half has he created chances from the left wing for 'Leafe.
Five minutes after the break, Walton now playing into the wind themselves, made a breakthrough as the 'Leafe defence struggled to clear their lines. Michael Charles received the ball on the edge of the box, was left with time to control it and fire home a fine volley on the turn.
With tiredness setting in in both sides, the visitors struggled to make any major impression on the Walton defence with neither Paul Scott nor Danny Oakins in the first flush of youth. But they kept batting to the end to earn the point.
Walton could have made it safe after good work from former 'Leafe striker Kevin Lock but his striking team mates failed to capitalise and Whyteleafe cleared their lines.
In the end, Sam Butler found Danny Oakins unmarked in the box and his quick feet found the time to poke the ball home in the 81st minute. 'Leafe could have stolen the points in the dying moments when a flying header from Fred Fleming went just beyond the far post, the visitors looking marginally the stronger side at the end.
Whyteleafe: O'Hara, Goodchild, Aldhous, R Coleman, Fleming, Wilson, Oakins, R Kember, McDowall (Platel), Scott, Butler. (these are all in the wrong order so don't too uch notice!)
Unused sub: M Kember