FC Revolution 3-1 Ashton Prime

Despite more heavy rain throughout the week, the host's pitch at Horsmonden was declared playable, so Prime went in search of a 4th straight win at the title contenders.

Prime had a defensive emergency, with Jamie Barker and Mazurkiewicz joining long-term absentee Gilbert on the sidelines. Matt Walker stepped in to fill the void alongside Garside at Centre-Back, with Sander and Davis at full-back.

In midfield, Ellis came back, allowing Goldsmith to switch to the right-wing, replacing Skovborg-Hansen. On the bench, Barnham and Walters were back and were joined by new signing Gates.

From the first few minutes, it was obvious that the pitch was going to be very heavy and passing football was not going to be easy.

Revolution pride themselves on their passing style and their slick movement gave them the first goal as their left-back was put through and he finished well beyond Kerton after just 10 minutes.

Prime needed to work hard and close down faster and with the combative midfield pair of Abu and Hodges particularly influential, they began to gain a foothold in the game.

In-form Joe Walker was looking particularly dangerous up front and he was denied on a couple of occasions by last-ditch tackles.

Largely though, Revolution dominated and only some superb defending by Garside and Matt Walker kept the prolific strikers at bay - along with a large slice of luck - after a free-kick curled over the wall and came down off the underside of the bar and the referee ruled the ball not to have crossed the line - when it seemed obvious that it had done.

The home side did get their second goal though as a sweeping move from the right left Sander with 2 players to mark and the first of these stabbed home beyond Kerton.

The Prime keeper was being kept busy and he made an excellent save from a long-distance strike.

In the last 15 minutes of the half, Prime started to get forward more and they got a route back into the game when Abu's free-kick from the right wing eluded the keeper and sailed into the net.

At the break, Prime knew they were right back in the game and that the next goal was crucial.

The stricken Sander was replaced by Barnham, with Davis switching to right-back.

Revolution started the second half by pushing Prime back, and the visitors had Kerton and Walker to thank for keeping them in it with some fine saves and tackles.

Somehow Prime got through this torrid period and started to create chances of their own.

Excell and Joe Walker were working manfully to hold the ball up and bring the wingers into the game. Both Ellis and Goldsmith were quiet in the first half, but had more joy in the second period.

Goldsmith's long throws were a constant menace with several flick-ons going agonisingly across the face of goal.

Walters and Gates both came on down the wings to give Prime added impetus and it looked like the plan might work as Excell burst clear - but the keeper made amends for his first-half calamity by denying the striker with a fine save.

Moments later Walters curled in a teasing cross towards Excell who seemed to be fouled as he closed in on the header - but the referee gave nothing - to the dismay of the visitors.

Prime's sense of injustice was compounded when Revolution won a soft free kick down their left wing and took the kick quickly - leaving Kerton stranded as the ball flew over his head and into the far corner.

In the closing minutes, Matt Walker went down with cramp and had to come off - leaving Prime to see out the match with just 10 men - but to their credit and with Hodges slotting in at the back - Prime held firm and the home side - scoring goals for fun all season - could not add to their tally.

Man of the Match: Matt Walker - Excellent debut - made light of Prime's defensive injury problems.