AFC Valour 3-2 Ashton Prime

A trip to East Peckham to face the league leaders was the last thing The Numbers needed following on from their defeat to fellow title-chasers Rusthall IV. In their 5 previous meetings Valour had prevailed, but Prime took some confidence from their narrow 2-1 defeat at Pippin Road last season, and this season's opener at Cadogan that they lost 1-0 after a battling performance.

Latter returned in goal and with Mazurkiewicz, Gilbert and Goulding absent, Ellis and Garside filled the holes in the back 4. Kneebone and Mellors made welcome returns to midfield and Skovborg-Hansen - freed from goalkeeping duty - started on the left of midfield. Hot-shots Carl Barker and Excell linked up again up-front, keeping new signing Walker on the bench.

Valour started the game on the front foot, with most of their play coming down their right-wing. But Ellis made several vital interceptions to keep Valour out, and with Garside and Barker looking assured at Centre-Back and Barnham keeping the left-winger quiet, Prime held firm and arguably looked more dangerous on the break.

Every time Prime got the ball forward to Barker and Excell, the Valour rearguard looked stretched and with the pace of Kneebone and Skovborg-Hansen down the flanks, Prime threatened to snatch the lead.

Valour still had the majority of the play and forced a succession of corners, which Prime defended well, but they nearly took the lead when a sliced cross looped just under the crossbar and Latter fumbled the ball onto the post and Ellis had to hack clear.

Moments later Prime nearly took the lead when Kneebone surged down the right and from his teasing cross, Excell and Barker narrowly failed to turn the ball home due to an excellent last-ditch clearance.

Valour made the breakthrough on 35 minutes as tricky midfielder Eslami turned Ellis and slotted home, giving Latter no chance.

Prime kept battling though and got an equaliser just before half time. Mellors won a vital tackle in midfield which released Barker. His slide-rule pass was inch-perfect for Excell who calmly dinked the ball over the advancing keeper with his left-foot.

Prime spirits were high at the break and the prospects of finally taking points off the East Peckham outfit were looking good.

Within 5 minutes of the second half though, Valour were back in front. Their pacey left-winger beat Barnham before curling an inviting cross in towards striker Russell who calmly finished first-time.

With the slope assisting them, Valour were now dominant and would have gone 3-1 up but for a superb save at full stretch by Latter as the ball was sailing towards the top corner.

This reprieve lifted Prime and following a clumsy foul on Kneebone, The Numbers were awarded a penalty. Excell took responsibility and beat the keeper with his 10th of the season to put Prime back on terms.

Skovborg-Hansen had run himself into the ground and was replaced by Walters with half an hour to go. Matthews and Mellors made several heroic challenges in the heart of the midfield and it seemed as if Prime could hang on.

Walker replaced the tiring Matthews and immediately got into the action, along with Walters who himself was putting in a really good shift.

The Numbers were unlucky to concede a goal with just 15 minutes to go as Ellis' clearance from the left-back position hit the Valour winger on the arm from point-blank range. The ref allowed the winger to run on and provide the crucial cross which left the Valour striker with a tap-in.

Sturmey replaced Barnham as Prime tried to pull level for a third time. Time and tired legs were both against The Numbers, but they battled on and forced Valour to defend frantically for the closing stages.

Prime had a glimmer of a chance when Sturmey hit a long ball from the back which Barker and Kneebone chased down, but the centre-back cleared and Prime ran out of time.

Man of the Match: Mellors - Captain courageous