Insulators 4-1 Ashton Prime

The Numbers headed to Paddock Wood as firm outsiders for a Quarter-Final clash with Division 2 pace-setters Insulators.

Their chances weren't helped as they missed several first teamers and were forced to bring in Swann for a debut at left-back, with Webb starting up front and Sander making his first Prime start on the right wing.

The only plus point for Prime was the surprise return of Mellors who was expected to be out for the rest of the season - but he was fit enough to join fellow ankle injury victim Goldsmith on the bench.

The home side started positively and Kerton had to be alert to stop Prime falling behind within the first few minutes.

But Prime looked dangerous on the break and with Excell and Webb holding the ball up well, Prime did have an outlet and wingers Kneebone and Sander were posing enough of a threat to keep Insulators' full-backs busy.

In the heart of the midfield, the versatile combination of acting skipper Skovborg-Hansen and Goulding was working well, limiting the time and space that the home side's midfield were given.

The home support was getting restless as time ticked by and Kerton kept his clean sheet through a combination of good saves and excellent defending by the back four, with Swann particularly impressive, keeping the Insulators right-winger very quiet.

Prime produced a flowing move soon after, with Sander winning the ball and Excell's deep cross headed narrowly over by Skovborg-Hansen.

Prime continued to come into the game and Goulding fired over from distance as alarm bells started to ring in the home side's defence.

The Insulator's supporters sensed danger and their worst fears were realised when a weak goal kick was intercepted by the ever-lively Kneebone. He diverted the ball into Webb's path, and the striker out-muscled the Insulators centre-back before rolling the ball in beyond the hapless keeper.

The goal seemed to awaken Insulators and they managed to level matters just before half-time as Prime got caught over-comitting players forward and a cut-back from the right wing left their midfielder with time and space to beat Kerton from close range.

The Numbers were delighted with their performance - no doubt their best half of the year so far, but the hard work was still to come, and as the second half started, Prime were immediately penned into their own half.

Kerton produced a number of excellent saves and claimed several dangerous crosses, and Swann hacked away under pressure, as Prime hung on.

But eventually the pressure told and from a break down the left, a ball was rolled across the box, allowing the onrushing midfielder an easy tap in.

Prime were starting to tire and were were lacking a threat on the break, although Kneebone was still lively and from his mazy run, Prime had screams for a penalty turned down as he seemed to get tripped in the box.

The ref waved away his claims and soon after, the killer third goal was headed in.

Mellors and Goldsmith joined the action for the last 15 minutes and Prime battled hard to stay in the game. But a fourth goal followed as a long diagonal ball fell to their striker in the box and he coolly lobbed over the advancing Kerton.

Man of the Match: Gilbert - Won every tackle.