Ashton Prime 1-6 High Brooms Casuals Reserves

Prime finally played a home game for the first time in over 3 months, but it was by no means a happy return.

The Numbers were missing several players, including Jamie Barker who has undergone ankle surgery and is likely to be out for the rest of the season.

Goldsmith filled the hole at Centre-Back with Mazurkiewicz returning to the starting XI at right-back. In midfield, the versatile Ellis joined Matthews in the heart of the pitch, with Walters back on the left-wing and Walker joining Excell up front.

The game eventually started after a 20 minute delay due to the ref turning up late, and when it did, it was a fairly even contest for the first 20 minutes.

Prime had an excellent chance to take the lead but Walker was denied by a last-ditch challenge as he seemed set to scramble the ball across the line.

The game turned on 20 minutes when Casuals won a free-kick right on the edge of the box. Latter lined his wall up, but left far too much of his goal on show and the Casuals midfielder smashed the ball in.

Within 5 minutes it was 2-0 as Casuals' striker mis-hit a cross and it sailed over the helpless Latter into the top corner.

Prime were suddenly being over-run as they struggled to come to grips with Casuals' 5 man midfield, and the third goal soon followed as their striker got clear and rolled the ball past Latter who mystifyingly did not come off his line to close the angle.

By half-time it was 4-0 and Prime were heading for a battering as their left-back scored directly from a corner. At the break, they dropped Excell back to midfield to mirror their opponents formation.

Prime were competing much better, but Casuals were still in the ascendancy and added a fine 5th goal following a flowing move and crisply hit shot from the edge of the box.

There was some relief for Prime when Kneebone found space and his deflected shot deceived the keeper and rolled in at the near post.

Prime nearly pulled another goal back as from Excell's free-kick, Goldsmith beat his opposing skipper to the ball and flashed a diving header just wide.

But Casuals had the final say as they broke away and their striker slotted home the sixth.

Man of the Match: Kneebone - Looked dangerous and deserved his goal.