Capel Sports & Social 2-1 Ashton Prime

The Numbers headed over to Five Oak Green in confident mood after last week's second half demolition job on Brenchley.

Man of the match from last week Scott Walters was the only absentee - giving Alex Bishop a place in the starting XI after re-signing for the club last weekend.

Abu edged out Hodges for a place in midfield, but the rest of the side was unchanged.

The home side started well and were knocking the ball around nicely - making light of the news that star striker Rob Jenner will be ruled out for a year with cruciate ligament damage suffered against Penshurst.

But Prime were up to the task and with the back four looking solid and Bishop and Kneebone's pace a threat down the flanks, the visitors knew they were well in the game.

Prime fashioned the first real chance after good work by the central midfield duo of Walker and Abu gave Bishop space to fire a fierce drive towards the corner, but his effort was well saved.

Capel were rattled and they seemed more intent on arguing with every decision made by the ref and linesman Goldsmith than on playing their football.

But after Barnham tripped their winger in a dangerous position on their left-wing, an inswinging free-kick was headed into the roof of the net from point-blank range, giving Kerton no chance.

Prime were disappointed to be behind, but they were level with a minute.

Walker found some space in the midfield and played a perfect through-ball for the on-rushing Bishop to outstrip a static defence and lift the ball delicately over the advancing keeper and into the net.

Prime were visibly lifted by this goal and were now coming forward with more vigour with Kneebone firing a long-range shot in straight at the keeper.

Ellis - who had the Capel winger in his pocket all half - linked up well with Bishop down the left moments later. Bishop wriggled to the bye-line and dug out a superb cross for Skovborg-Hansen. The striker leapt and powered a header towards the near post, but the keeper made a terrific save.

With 10 minutes left in the half though, Capel went back ahead after a long clearance by the keeper was allowed to bounce by the centre-backs and they were punished when their striker - easily Capel's best player on the day - volleyed the ball over the advancing Kerton and into the net via the underside of the bar.

It was a cruel blow to Prime who still had a chance to go in on level terms, but Kneebone pulled a shot wide after another burst down the right-wing.

At the break, the hard-working Skovborg-Hansen was replaced by Carl Barker as Prime sought a way back into the game.

The game was still very even after the interval with Abu and Walker working overtime to keep Capel's midfield 3 quiet.

Prime's main threat continued to come down the flanks, but Excell and Carl Barker were also a handful for the Capel backline.

At the other end, Prime's back four was re-inforced when Jamie Barker came on for the tiring Garside and his pace was vital in keeping Capel's frontline quiet. Ellis continued to look solid defensively and he started to foray forward as Prime pushed for a leveller.

Barnham had a superb second half, the highlight probably being an excellent tackle on the Capel midfielder on the edge of the box just as he was about to shoot. Ironically, the ref gave this as a free-kick to the home side despite the ball clearly being won.

Capel appealed vociforously for 2 separate penalties and when both appeals were turned down by the ref, they vented their frustration on a bemused linesman who supposedly should have given the decision.

Prime old boy Jagniaszek came on down the right-wing midway through the half and he provided a comical moment as he hit possibly the worst ever corner - sliced straight out of play!

Walker, battling manfully against a knee problem, was replaced by Hodges for the closing 20 minutes as Prime continued to battle for a point.

It was a half of few chances, but Bishop again had a shot well saved and with normal time running out, Kneebone's cross from the right deceived the keeper and came back off the outside of the post.

Capel cleared and ran to the corner to try and run the clock down. Ellis slid in and put the ball out for a throw, but the Capel player reacted to the challenge in a foul-mouthed rant at linesman Goldsmith - articulately telling him the the tackle could have broken his leg and that he was cheating (amongst other four letter words!).

Goldsmith informed the ref of the flashpoint and he sent the player off for dissent.

Capel players were furious, but for any of them reading this, please speak to your only other player within earshot, who said that the ref made absolutely the right decision.

It was a disappointing end to a good match, and Prime will consider themselves unlucky to go home with nothing after such a battling display.

Man of the Match: Salk Abu - Ran himself into the ground