FC Revolution 3-0 Ashton Prime

Saturday 21st March 2015, Hayesbrook School 3G pitch, Tonbridge

Prime moved away from league matters this week and were competing in the Chairman’s Cup Semi Final at Hayesbrook 3G pitch against FC Revolution.

Manager Sykes had been fortunate of sorts to be able to call on Williams giving Cary an orthodox centre half partner. However Prime were still missing key players notably Henshall and Taylor, a sign of the future of the club.

The Numbers lined up with a 4-5-1 formation with subs of Santos, Goldsmith and Lower. Sykes selected himself in goal, with Buckland, Cary, Williams and Barnham in front of him. Sykes delivered instructions before the game of ensuring 2 banks to prevent Revolution playing.

Westcott, Abu, Excell and Siekanka were doing a good job of stopping the ball breaking through to the defence and Prime were looking assured. Despite pressure from FC Revolution, Prime were looking solid and despite Buckland having a nightmare, they didn’t look like a team who were searching for their first win in 6 months.

After a poor kick from Sykes, the home side broke down the left and after a missed tackle from the reliable Williams, and Barnham out of position, Revolution took the lead after powerful shot across the keeper and into the bottom corner.

Prime rallied and after neat play from the midfield a good ball from Abu found Ferguson who found himself one on one however he delayed and the chance was wasted. This did nothing to dampen the spirits of The Numbers who then had a great chance of an equaliser, when Siekanka rounded the keeper but the Revolution defender stopped the ball on the line and despite the attempts of Ferguson was unfortunate not to grab a scrappy goal.

Despite the solid banks of 4 and 5 Williams was key to keeping the score to just 1-0 making a number of last minute tackles and blocks, showing exactly what Prime have been missing and lacking during recent games.

Half time was positive, Prime were playing some of their best football they had stopped the attacks of Revolution and had limited them to mainly long balls over the top. Buckland targeted his team mates, telling him to keep his hands down.

Prime were kicking into the wind and with the age, fitness gap telling against FC Revolution they found chances limited during the 2nd half however they were disciplined and limited Revolution to few chances.

Revolution's left midfielder continued to give Buckland a torid time and found space to give himself a free header 8 yards out however, Sykes was equal to him and got a solid hand to put the ball over the bar for a corner.

Sykes made his first change after the hard working Siekanka was struggling, and replaced him with Santos hoping he could change Prime's fortunes.

Revolution pressure finally paid after the 3 sets of fresh legs introduced broke the back line and left a simple finish for the substitute whose shot was too much for Sykes to keep out. Prime continued to push for another goal and Westcott was at the forefront of lots of the good work. He was unfortunate not to grab a goal from 30 yards when his first time curved effort, was very close to giving FC Revolution a squeaky bum final 10 minutes.

Sykes introduced Goldsmith going 4-4-2 hoping the extra man and pressure would pay off, Goldsmith gathered his standard yellow card by winding up the Revolution winger!

The result was slipping away from Prime and was compounded when a robust tackle from the Revolution midfielder on Westcott who fell awkwardly and suffered a suspected broken wrist. This meant Lower was introduced for the final few minutes.

There was still time for Buckland to complete his terrible afternoon picking up a booking for a range of offences, ranging from handballs, late tackles and from the resulting free kick, the Revolution player whipped and unstoppable free kick into the top corner which was swiftly followed by the final whistle.

Prime can be pleased with their performance and take a lot into their final league games and hope to finish the season on a high in their final games.