Ashton Prime 2-9 Hawkenbury

Saturday 18th April 2015, Cadogan Recreation Ground, Tunbridge Wells

Ashton Prime began the penultimate game of the season struggling for numbers. With Ferguson a late withdrawal, manager Sykes was desperately seeking players; fortunately Sander brought the recruits up to 10 starters.

Prime lined up with a 4-4-1 formation with a plethora of defenders Sykes was forced to deploy Cary in a central midfield role flanked by Taylor, Buckland and Goulding as he made an appearance to become Primes oldest ever player.

Prime started sluggishly conceding 2 quick goals as Hawkenbury made their man advantage count. A long range drive which left Sykes an observer was quickly compounded as one of the many 6ft plus Hawkenbury players was left unmarked to head home making it 2-0 after only ten minutes.

Prime were given a lifeline as Siekanka won a free kick. After a discussion between Sander and Goldsmith, Sander stepped up and the power was too much for the Hawkenbury keeper who could only palm the free kick into the side netting giving The Numbers a much needed boost.

Prime’s euphoria was short lived, another corner and another unchallenged goal - the ball fell onto the Hawkenbury midfielder's right boot to volleyed home leaving Sykes motionless and leaving The Numbers with an uphill task for the remaining 70 minutes.

The Numbers' back 4 responded and dug in, Goldsmith, Sander, Davis and Barnham stopped most threats and they began to win the battle with the Hawkenbury strikers, as the 1st half developed Prime looked the team on top. After Sykes continued to launch kicks long Prime won a corner from which Taylor scored his 4th of the season. A corner which curved over the keeper and straight into the back of the net, leaving the rest of the Prime squad shocked! Prime pushed on looking for an equaliser and were unfortunate not to go into half time level after another corner was cleared off the line.

Half time was positive, Carl Barker had answered the facebook rallying call to give Prime their full compliment.

Unfortunately for Prime, as has been the case for large parts of the season, they ran out of steam. A tame challenge from Sykes allowed the Hawkenbury striker to prod the ball home despite Goldsmith's efforts and after sustained pressure from Hawkenbury, Sykes made a good save only for the visitors to score from the resulting corner after Hawkenbury reacted faster to the loose ball and made it 5-2.

This resulted in a change with the ageing legs of Goulding putting on the gloves for Sykes to take up the left wing role. This left Prime more vulnerable and Hawkenbury came forward with waves of attacks, adding a 6th from long distance after the midfielder came through unchallenged.

The wind had truly be blown from the Numbers' sails and their 1st half exertions took their toll leaving the team out on their feet allowing the away team to add a 7th, 8th and 9th goal past Goulding.

The final whistle was a blessing for Prime who will go into their final game against Capel hoping for a full strength squad and to go out on a high.