INJURY-HIT PRIME DEALT FIRST DEFEAT
ASHTON PRIME 2-5 ROSELANDS RESERVES
Saturday 2nd September, Hilbert Rec
A debut brace from Ashley Smith-Foreman was not enough as Prime recorded their first defeat against a strong Roselands Reserves side at Hilbert.
Prime's preparation for the game had been hampered by injuries to keepers Tony Leigh and Phill Allcorn - leaving trialist Steve Bentley to fill in between the sticks.
Other absentees included previous goalscorer Tony Jagniaszek and injured skipper Andy Skovborg- Hansen - with Owen Walsh taking over as Captain on debut.
Prime started promisingly, with Matthews and Bendall controlling the midfield and Whiting's tricks causing problems for the Roselands back four. However it was Roselands who took the lead against the run of play as their pacy striker outstripped Goldsmith and Walsh before beating Bentley.
Their lead was short lived as Smith-Foreman smashed home a loose ball following Goldsmith's long throw. But a second Roselands goal before the break left Prime with it all to do in the second period.
The response was positive and after good work by Buckland, Smith-Foreman found himself clean through and he finished in style - lobbing the keeper with a nonchalant flick.
The home side had their moments thereafter, with Sturmey producing a memorable rampaging run down the left which could have easily resulted in a goal had the ball fallen more kindly for Smith-Foreman.
But as Prime tired in the closing period, Roseland's pacey forward line proved their undoing, and despite heroics from Bentley, 3 further goals were added.
Prime's disappointment was compounded by a twisted ankle to Goldsmith 5 minutes from time which is likely to rule him out of the season opener next week.
Man of the Match: Ashley Smith-Foreman - clinical finishes and looked sharp throughout.
LINEUP
GK: Bentley
RB: French
LB: Sturmey
CB: Goldsmith
CB: Walsh (c)
RM: Buckland
CM: Matthews
CM: Barr
LM: Leaver
CF: Bendall
CF: Whiting
SUBS (all used): Smith-Foreman, Tayler, J
