Tonbridge Athletic 4-3 Ashton Prime

Saturday 25th October 2014, Tonbridge Farm

Ashton Prime were unlucky not to come away from Tonbridge with a point after a brave display against Tonbridge Athletic.

Prime were able to name 3 substitutes for once and Sykes was left with the unenviable task of informing birthday boy Rich Excell he had to wait one more week to make his return from an ankle injury.

Prime were unfortunate to go 1-0 after matching Athletic for the first 15 minutes. A clumsy tackle from Sykes on the edge of the box wiped out the league leaders striker who picked himself up to confidently dispatch the penalty.

Prime were left rattled and Athletic pushed down their right hand side were causing Dave Barnham problems at left back with the right winger beating the left back on a number of occasions. The final occasion was when he was left exposed after a fine run from Nowak was stopped abruptly from the Athletic centre half. Abu was left incensed with the referee about the merits of a penalty while the Athletic speedy winger carried the ball down the right side and fed their whites striker to make it 2-0.

A short and fiery exchange between Abu and Sykes followed the goal, with each other blaming one, left Sykes making a change switching himself with Barnham in an attempt to nullify the right wingers effectiveness.

Prime rallied before half time after a long freekick was nodded down by Man of the Match Cary which fell to Fergusons feet who composed himself before pulling a goal back for The Numbers.

Prime went into half time knowing they were giving the league leaders a game and were still capable of causing what would be seen as an upset.

Prime then immediately levelled just after the break when a clearance ricocheted off the hard working Jan Nowak and flew into the net after good work from the front two of Siekanka and Ferguson.

Unfortunately for Prime, Tonbridge restored their lead immediately after some slow reactions and a couple of failed attempts to clear the ball. Prime were deflated but with the introduction of Buckland at left back after Henshall had been keeping the right hand side quite with Taylor.

Prime were pushing forward for an equaliser and putting plenty of pressure on Tonbridge midfield with Abu and Westcott gaining more control throughout the second half and releasing the impressive Nowak on a couple of occasions putting them on the back foot.

Athletic then knocked the stuffing out of Prime when they added a 4th when Siekanka and Nowak both failed to clear a near-post corner.

Prime were awarded a late penalty which Sykes scored after good work from Nowak again. Taylor was then replaced for Abrahams making his return from a few weeks out, and Santos replaced Nowak who was suffering from cramp but they could not help Prime find a late equaliser, despite their late pressure.