After the bank holiday weekend off, Prime resumed their pre-season with a game against fellow promoted side Woodlands Reserves at Southwood Road.

With several players away on holiday, Prime were only able to field a bare 11 with Davis, Buckland and manager Sykes returning to the defence, Excell starting on the left-wing alongside debutants Josh Ennis and Ben Taylor, with Pete Ferguson joining Seb Ca up front.

The game was delayed by nearly half an hour after the contractor from the council decided to lock the nets in the changing room and then do a runner before our game started!

Eventually though with ex-boss Goldsmith looking on in the company of injured defender Steve Turvey and ex-keeper Dan Balcombe, Prime kicked off down the slope and it was obvious from the start that it was to be a very open game.

Prime should have taken the lead but both Ca and Ferguson missed gilt-edged chances before Woodlands took a surprise lead when referee Miller awarded a penalty when Sykes lunged into a tackle on the corner of the box and missed everything - apparently that was enough to give a penalty!

Joyner was given no chance with the spot-kick and he was soon picking the ball out of the net again as Woodlands' central midfielder smashed a rising 25 yarder into the top corner - a superb goal by a player who on this showing could probably play a few divisions higher!

Prime continued with their profligacy as this time Excell shanked horribly wide of an open goal after Fergie had challenged the keeper.

Eventually though Prime did get on the score-sheet when Taylor's shot from the edge of the box squirmed under the keeper for a debut goal and Prime were soon level when Excell was upended in the box and he stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way.

So it was 2-2 at the break but Prime really should have been 3 or 4 ahead. But they did take the lead when captain Abu's free-kick curled around the wall and nestled in the corner of the net.

The topsy-turvey nature of the match continued though as some weak Prime defending allowed Woodlands' midfielder to waltz past several pathetic challenges and lift his shot into the roof of Joyner's net for 3 all.

Prime then conceded when a cross from the right was headed in unchallenged by their onrushing striker.

Prime's goal of the game came next when Excell - who moments earlier had been lying prone with cramp - picked up the ball just inside his half, beat a couple of players and then as his legs were about to give way, struck a 25-yarder into the top corner!

Manager Sykes then looked set to go one better as he surged through from the edge of his own box, but his right-footed shot from 12 yards went about 10 yards wide!

Excell then won and converted another penalty to put Prime 5-4 up but Woodlands levelled when Sykes chopped down their striker in the box and Miller gave his 4th penalty award of the day - and Joyner again was helpless from the spot.

With time ticking away, Prime stepped up looking for an offside but the winger had timed his run well and finished low past Joyner to win it for Woodlands.

Defending aside, there were a lot of positives for Prime to take with Joyner's distribution in goal very good, Taylor with a debut goal, Excell's fine hat-trick and perhaps best of all Josh Ennis' performance alongside Abu in midfield - a partnership that could work well this season.