Ashton Prime 6-1 Woodlands Reserves

A new look Ashton Prime squad, resplendent in their new kit, kicked off the new season against Division 3 new boys Woodlands Reserves.

Prime gave a debut to new keeper Gary Latter, with Rich Excell starting up front with last season's top scorer Carl Barker.

The game started in scrappy fashion, with The Numbers looking particularly rusty and out of practice. This encouraged their young opponents who looked the more dangerous in the opening exchanges.

On the 20 minute mark, Woodlands took the lead when a long through ball led to confusion between Jamie Barker and Latter, enabling the Woodlands striker to nip in and scramble home.

Woodlands continued to look dangerous, with their left-winger causing Sankey some problems, but Prime suddenly started to find their feet and they equalised with a superb goal.

Garside crucially hooked clear as Woodlands threatened, Flamank kept the ball in play and played it in-field. Prime swept from left to right quickly and when the cross came in from the right, Paul Kneebone was in space to lash home the equaliser.

Prime nearly took the lead when an Excell strike was saved and Walters did well to keep his half-volley on target but the keeper saved well.

Goldsmith and Skovborg-Hansen entered the action on the half-hour mark and Prime were soon in front. Excell found himself in space and with Goldsmith and Skovborg-Hansen drawing markers away from him, he let fly from 20 yards and the keeper didn't even move as it scorched into the net.

Prime knew they needed to start quickly in the second period and they soon increased their lead when the prolific Carl Barker was on hand to finish coolly.

Prime's superior fitness and strength was starting to show and from Goldsmith's long ball, Skovborg-Hansen stretched out a leg and flicked past the advancing keeper.

Excell and Barker each added further goals in the last quarter, and with Jamie Barker and the excellent Garside keeping the Woodlands strikers quiet, Prime ran out convincing winners.

Man of the Match: Garside - Put in a strong claim for a starting place at CB.