High Brooms Casuals Reserves 4-0 Ashton Prime

Ashton Prime completed their September fixtures with a disappointing 4-0 defeat at High Brooms.

After a farcical week of injuries and late withdrawals, Prime had to call in Ian Goulding and Mark Fox to bolster their depleted squad.

Prime were again slowly out of the traps and an incisive through ball caught the defence napping and allowed the Casuals a 5th minute lead.

In keeping with their injury-hit season, Prime then had to make a double substitution after just 15 minutes with Sturmey's ankle giving way and Allcorn's persistent back problems proving too much to bear. This meant a reshuffle with Fox hurried on for his debut at left-back with Whiting coming on at right-midfield.

The changes did not appear to affect Prime too much as Goulding and then Smith-Foreman both had chances to equalise.

However, as Prime pressed, their work was undone by a howler from the otherwise impeccable Leigh, who let a near post cross squirm out of his grasp to allow the Casuals a simple tap in.

Prime continued to look dangerous especially down the left with Goulding and Goldsmith linking up well, and it was Goldsmith's measured through-ball that gave Smith-Foreman a one-on-one chance with the keeper which he spurned.

The miss proved costly as the Casuals went straight up the other end and made it 3-0 with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

The Casuals dominated the start of the second half, but resilient defending from skipper Walsh, plus debutants Ellis and Fox kept the score at 3-0,

At the other end Prime looked dangerous from corners and Goulding nearly got on the end of Goldsmith's inswinging corner, and then Goldsmith himself had a header cleared off the line.

However, as Prime tired, the 4th goal came with 20 mins to go, effectively killing the game off.

Walter injected some energy when he replaced the stricken Goldsmith following the 4ht goal, but Prime still could not find a consolation goal, despite Bendall's spectacular 40 yard volley which was saved.

Prime Man of the Match: Mark Fox - dependable defending and never gave the ball away.