Ashton Prime 2-3 TW '99 Reserves

A strong Prime side came up against TW 99 Reserves at Hilbert hopeful of securing their first win of the campaign.

With Leaver AWOL, as usual, Garside was forced to fill in at right-back, with Kneebone making a debut on the right-wing and Smith-Foreman coming in up front.

With the persistent rain making for a skiddy surface, Prime passed the ball around well in the opening period. Garside and Sankey were both tested early on and stood up well to the test as '99 failed to make an impression - though Sankey had to produce an outstanding last-ditch tackle.

However, after 25 minutes, a hopeful pot-shot from long distance squirmed out of Allcorn's grasp and trickled into the corner.

Prime continued to be the more impressive unit and got a deserved leveller when Mellors broke down the left and cut back for Goldsmith whose mis-hit cross from fully 30 yards curled perfectly into the top corner, leaving the keeper helpless.

Prime were penning the opposition in their own half and deservedly took the lead when Smith-Foreman's cross was knocked down by Matthews and Knebone drove home from close range.

At the break Prime brought on Leigh in goal, along with Ellis on the left of midfield and Skovborg-Hansen up front.

With the slope in their advantage, the visitors pressed, and Leigh needed to make an excellent save to preserve the Prime lead.

However, the equaliser came mid-way through the half as Prime only half-cleared a corner and the impressive TW 99 midfielder smashed in an unstoppable leveller.

Goulding entered the fray along with Rhee at this stage, but it was more of the same with '99 in the ascendancy, but they took the lead in bizarre circumstances as from Sankey's back-pass, Leigh unwisely tried to take a touch and was closed down by the '99 striker who tapped in.

Buckland entered the fray with 15 to go, enabling Garside to move to his preferred midfield role.

A tiring Prime battled hard for a late reprieve and nearly got it when an excellent cross from Mellors was just too high for the on-rushing Skovborg-Hansen.

Man of the Match: Kneebone - a constant threat and a debut goal.