High Brooms Casuals Reserves 4-0 Ashton Prime

After a gap of 6 weeks, Prime finally got back to action at Southborough with a tough trip to the title-chasing Casuals. Prime were able to name an unchanged starting lineup, with Mazurkiewicz joining Walters and Walker on the bench and the fully fit Goldsmith forced to wait for his return alongside Goulding.

Prime headed into the breeze in the first half and had a golden opportunity to take an early lead when Skovborg-Hansen found himself with time and space ater less than 60 seconds, but he shot tamely at the keeper.

This early repreive seemed to kick the hosts into life and they were then on the front foot for the majority of the half, with Latter and his defence working overtime to keep them out.

Prime were clearly suffering from not having played for so long and they lacked composure on the ball and were struggling to clear their lines effectively.

Eventually, after just over 30 minutes, the hosts took the lead with their striker slotting home into the corner.

Prime did well to hang on to just a one goal deficit at the break, but they had to ride their luck as the hosts forced chance after chance.

At half-time, Mazurkiewicz replaced Barnham and Prime were urged to get on the front foot with the wind behind them.

They again started the half positively with Kneebone producing a typically mazy run, but his dangerous cross was cleared.

The stuffing was knocked out of Prime moments later as Prime half cleared a corner, but the Casuals midfielder hit an unstoppable half-volley from the edge of the box.

Prime heads were down and a third goal soon followed. The Numbers misery was compounded when Mellors had to come off with a knock to his knee, enabling Walker to join the action.

The sub had an immediate impact on the game, showing calmness and composure that had been lacking in many areas of the team.

One of his runs was cruedly ended by the Casuals defender and the ref mystifyingly gave the free-kick the way of the home side as Prime's frustration grew.

A fourth goal from an overhit cross summed up Prime's day, and shortly after Ellis - who had battled manfully throughout - was booked for a late hack on the fiery Casuals winger who himself was very lucky to escape caution for a series of infringements throughout the game.

Walters was the final sub to be introduced, but despite his endeavour, it was clear that this was not Prime's day.

The manager was left scratching his head at the apathetic performance, and with a must-win game at Paddock Wood coming next week, it is likely that changes will be made.

Man of the Match: Ellis - One of only a few players to perform anything like they can do