The rain finally relented and temperatures rose, allowing Prime to play their first match of the new year at home to Hawkenbury III.

Manager Goldsmith had a 17-man squad to choose from, but the only change to the starting XI from Prime's last outing in the cup win against Brenchley was the return of Excell in place of Chapman. Barnham, Davis, Gilbert, Sander and Goldsmith were on the bench with Goulding missing the cut.

The first 10 minutes passed without much incident or quality - with the strong wind not helping the rustiness of all 22 players.

Prime were struggling to put passes together, and the Hawks were looking increasingly dangerous with their striker Streeter testing Kerton from distance.

It was no great surprise when the visitors took the lead. A long throw caused confusion in the Prime defence with Parsons and Mazurkiewicz both going for the same ball. Neither could effect a clearance and the ball dropped for the Hawks striker who converted well from close range.

Prime seemed to awaken from their slumber and after a flowing move, Henshall's cut back left Excell with a golden opportunity to level, but he scuffed his shot and the chance was gone.

It was not long before Prime were level though. Joe Walker escaped down the left wing and after eluding their full-back, he crossed for Henshall to slide home.

But Prime shot themselves in the foot with some more slack marking from set-pieces which allowed Hawkenbury to go 3-1 up. Firstly a long throw from the right found their striker in space to nod home and minutes later, an inswinging corner was nodded home by an unmarked Hawk at the far post.

Prime were handed a surprise lifeline through a flashpoint 10 minutes before the break. Joe Walker was upended by the Hawkenbury right back and frustration led to Walker taking a nibble at the full-back's ankle as they were on the floor. This resulted in the red-mist descending and the Hawks player repeatedly kicked out at the prone Walker, sparking a mass brawl amongst a dozen or so players from both teams.

When everything calmed down, referee Delves rightly showed a red card, but both Walker and Walters were lucky to escape even a booking.

Prime's hopes of gaining a 10th straight win were boosted right on the half-time whistle when Polinski converted brilliantly at full stretch at the back post to reduce the arrears to 3-2 at the break.

Prime needed to keep their heads and be patient and the goals would come. Sure enough they did.

On 55 minutes, Joe Walker and Abu linked up well and Abu curled one of his trademarked efforts over the keeper and into the net for 3-3.

Goldsmith was keen to allow Abu to push forward even more and as a result, Polinski was replaced by Gilbert with captain Matt Walker pushed into a holding midfield role.

Soon Prime were ahead when the prolific Joe Walker burst through and smashed home an unstoppable strike beyond the keeper and into the far corner.

Barnham came on for Mazurkiewicz for the last 25 minutes as Prime sought to seal the 3 points. Hawkenbury were now forced to change to a 4-3-2 formation and the change nearly paid dividends as Kerton came out smartly to deny their dangerous right-winger.

But with 20 minutes left, Walters put the seal on the win with a well struck shot that deflected in beyond the keeper, following good work by Henshall down the right.

Sander came on for Henshall who had been a marked man throughout and Prime will hope that he is fit to face league leaders AFC Valour Reserves next Saturday.

There was still time for Hawkenbury to force Kerton into action after a Gilbert slip, but Barnham helped usher the ball to safety.

Parsons and Ellis were both solid throughout with Ellis going on a surprisingly energetic surge forward in the closing stages, but his final ball for Sander was blocked.

Prime saw out the final 5 minutes and claimed a crucial win which keeps the pressure on Valour who won 2-0 at East Peckham Juniors to maintain their 4 point advantage over The Numbers ahead of the massive game at Cadogan next Saturday.