Prime finally got their league campaign underway at Horsmonden against old foes AFC Valour Reserves.

The Numbers did the double over their rivals last season, but they knew things would be much tougher this time around.

Goldsmith was still without the injured Kneebone and Barnham, but still had a very strong side to pick from.

He elected to recall Davis at right-back and Abu started in midfield due to Walters' late withdrawal through a hangover.

Prime started really well and were passing the ball around well and penning Valour in their half and it was no surprise when Abu burst through and played a telling ball through to Joe Walker who had cut inside from his right-wing position.

Walker nicked it past the keeper and despite over-running the ball, he managed to keep his feet and slot home into the unguarded net.

Valour responded well and started to assert themselves on the game, with Prime's back four coming under increased pressure.

Both Gilbert and Mazurkiewicz had to make last-ditch challenges to keep the dangerous Valour striker at bay.

Prime were still looking dangerous though and after a superb lay-off by Excell, Walker fired over - looking for his 2nd of the game.

On the 25 minute mark, Valour levelled though. A deep cross from the left-wing was fumbled behind for a corner by Kerton, and from the resulting corner, some slack marking enabled the Valour midfielder to loop a header over the helpless Flamank on the back post.

Prime were struggling to string any passes together and despite the best efforts of Abu and Matt Walker, Valour were still dominant and forced a flurry of corners which were defended well by the visitors.

Prime went in at the break lucky to be level and the game continued in much the same vein as the game resumed.

Somehow Valour failed to take the lead through a combination of poor finishing and great saves by Kerton - who in the second half was back to his best.

Valour also had 2 strong penalty appeals turned down by the ref as Prime continued to ride their luck.

On the hour mark, Excell - who had cut a forlorn figure for much of the game due to a lack of service - was taken off and Sander was introduced. Joe Walker moved up front and Sander slotted in on the right-wing.

With 20 minutes to go, and Gilbert nursing a hamstring strain, Goldsmith came on, with Matt Walker reverting to Centre-Back.

From his first touch Goldsmith nearly doubled his tally for the season as he flicked on Joe Walker's fierce cross from the left and the keeper back-pedalled well to tip the looping effort over the bar.

Valour were still in the ascendancy though and their striker missed another couple of good chances when well placed.

With Joe Walker struggling with asthma, the now partially recovered Walters took his place up front for the last 10 minutes.

Goldsmith was booked for kicking the ball away after he was adjudged to have obstructed Valour's right-winger.

It seemed as if the game would end level, but with just 3 minutes left, the Valour striker was given too much space by the Centre-Backs and this time he kept his cool to beat Kerton.

Prime threw everyone forward to claim a late equaliser, but after an attack down the left broke down, Valour hit Prime on the break and their 2nd striker smashed home from close range off the underside of the bar.

Overall Prime could have no complaints with the final score and Goldsmith will spend the week contemplating how to turn things around for next week's game with new boys Staplehurst.