The Numbers embarked on their second cup competition hoping to reverse recent fortunes and secure a positive result. Manager Sykes rested striker Ferguson, giving Excell and Abraham an opportunity to shine, with ever present Cary engaged watching Notts Forest, Sykes was looking for an emergency centre back who arrived in the form of Pete Henshall, playing his 5th position of the season.

The Numbers started with energy and were on top for the large majority of the opening period, good moves down the wings from Siekanka and Taylor were creating chances for Abraham who saw his scuffed shot saved and Abu unfortunate not to receive a better ball to be able to get a shot away. The hard working Abraham was causing issues for the slow defence of Hunton and Prime looked like the team most likely to score.

With Goldsmith marshalling the defence alongside Henshall, Buckland and Barnham Prime were looking compact and at ease. Henshall was adapting to his unfamiliar role and adding an air of calm to the defence. Sykes was not being tested in goal and was watching some good fluid football from the Numbers.

Unfortunately the game turned on a couple of nasty tackles from Hunton which inexplicably went unpunished from the referee. First Hunton's midfielder wildly jumped into a tackle on Goldsmith which left him reeling on the floor and rightly angry at the lack of response from the referee. What followed was a string of poor challenges that went unpunished from the Hunton defence and midfield which left Abraham unable to continue and resulting in Ferguson being introduced at 30 minutes.

Despite the bad nature that was descending on the game, the Numbers scored first after a deep corner from Westcott evaded the salmon esq leap of Goldsmith but landed on Siekanka left boot inside the 6 yard box and put the Numbers ahead.

Prime were looking strong and commanding but with the lack of protection from the referee evident the Numbers became wary and when Hunton’s forwards began to find space in the final third. The storm appeared to be weather until with a minute before half time a deep cross floated over Barnham's head and the free striker placed his headed into the bottom corner leaving Sykes scrambling, giving Hunton an undeserved equaliser.

Half time was disrupted by the referee arguing with the Prime players despite requests for him to go away; he appeared to be making the game about himself rather than what it is really about.

With the second half kicked off Prime were obviously wary of the fact they had to turn up to work on Monday morning, without being broken in half. Henshall was composed and marshalling the back four with composure. The game played more into Hunton’s hands they pushed forward down the wings causing issues for Buckland and Barnham. The pitch was beginning to churn up and the Numbers were losing their passing football edge.

After a number of close chances for Hunton they scored a second header after the cross from the left hand side was not closed down quickly enough by Prime and the midfielder who was lucky to still be on the pitch got a low header to beat Sykes who should have done better and got his hand to the shot.

Goldsmith was then replaced by Davis, leaving a makeshift centre half partnership of Henshall and Davis yet, the Numbers were still looking like a team who could grab a goal on the break, a number of loose balls fell to the right hand side between Taylor and Excell and Prime were unfortunate not to see Buckland take a first time effort or Ferguson convert a chance. Another day and Prime may have cause Hunton to panic and turn it into a difficult last 15 for Hunton.

Nowak came on for Barnham for the final 15 minutes to give a bit of pace down the left hand side and caused confusion in the Hunton defence and nearly created an equaliser for the Numbers. With Prime pushing forward looking for an equaliser Hunton broke down the left again and the cross was volleyed towards goal and despite a goal line stop by Sykes’ foot the left winger following in beat Buckland and scored Huntons 3rd header from 1 yard out.

Unfortunately for Prime their run in the TWCC was a short unsuccessful campaign however focus now turns to ensuring safety in Division 1 and the big cup semi-final.

Rumours after the game began to circulate that after the lack of protection from the referee club stalward Goldsmith intended to announce his retirement, however sources close to the player suggest this may be a Paul Scholes type retirement, and Sykes expects to be able to name him in future squads when the referee may do something about poor tackles.