Ashton Prime 0-0 Woodlands Reserves

Saturday 9th April 2011, Cadogan Recreation Ground, Tunbridge Wells

Following a string of disappointing performances, Prime were left with little more than pride to play for in their final home game of the season.

However the side were motivated by the fact that Woodlands had won all corresponding fixtures between the sides and it was time for revenge.

Prime were missing Davis and Ellis from last week's squad so Sander and Barnham started at full-back with Mazurkiewicz partnering Parsons at centre-back.

Matt Walker moved into midfield at the expense of the unfortunate Polinski who was joined on the bench by Goldsmith and Overy.

The game kicked off in glorious conditions that were more suited to a day at the beach than a game of football on the rock-hard Cadogan surface - but nonetheless Prime's effort and renewed team spirit was evident from the off.

Woodlands shaded the opening exchanges but Prime's defence coped comfortably with Woodlands' lone striker. Barnham and Mazurkiewicz were both strong in the tackle, Parsons was imperious in the air and Sander seems a player transformed at right-back and the Woodlands left-winger barely got a kick all day.

Woodlands thought they'd taken the lead after 20 minutes but their striker had strayed a yard offside before volleying home a right-wing cross.

This seemed to wake Prime up and with Matt Walker and Abu edging the midfield battle, The Numbers were starting to look dangerous.

They nearly scored after Joe Walker's run caused confusion in the Woodlands defence and Walters was unlucky to guide a right-footed effort inches wide of the near post with the keeper beaten.

They came close again when Walters' inswinging corner was met by Parsons at the back stick but he planted his header just wide.

The best chance of the half came after Joe Walker fizzed in a 20-yard drive that the keeper could only parry. The ball looped up and Matt Walker should really have scored the rebound which he hit over the bar on the half-volley.

At the break plenty of water was taken on board and they all knew that it was likely to be the first goal that won the game.

Henshall was looking dangerous and his mazy dribble resulted in a shooting opportunity but again it went high over the bar.

Polinski replaced Barnham at left-back and shortly afterwards Overy replaced Excell who had worked hard but was again starved of service.

Immediately Overy injected the pace that Prime were after and he latched onto Henshall's though-ball and was unlucky to see his left-footed strike saved by the keeper's feet.

Woodlands were still dangerous and their midfielder had a 25 yard drive brilliantly saved by the scrambling Kerton with 20 minutes left.

But it was Prime who were pushing for the winner and Goldsmith threw himself on upfront for Walters with Joe Walker moved out to the left. He won several headers and flick-ons but none fell kindly for Overy.

In the last minute Prime won a throw deep in Woodlands territory. Goldsmith hurled in a deep throw which Parsons met on the run, but he put his header narrowly over the bar.

That was the final action in an entertaining 0-0 draw. Plenty of positives for Prime today and if they can perform like this for the rest of the season they will win more than they will lose.