Ashton Prime 0-3 Rusthall Reserves
Saturday 17th September 2011, Cadogan Recreation Ground, Tunbridge Wells
The Numbers got their 2011/12 campaign up and running against familiar opponents. Rusthall IV have become Rusthall Reserves over the summer and amazingly this would be the 5th meeting between the two sides in less than a year.
Prime's plans were hit by traffic problems which meant that captain Abu and Williams did not arrive in time for kick-off. As a result Sander filled in up front and Mazurkiewicz started at right-back.
Rusthall were brimming with confidence following their 8-1 win in Division 1 last week, but Prime matched them for the first 15 minutes and looked dangerous going forward.
Cary and Gray - Prime's new centre-back partnership were dealing well with Rusthall's pacey strikers and Hodges and Henshall were shielding the defence well.
Prime nearly took the lead from an inswinging Flamank corner which Ellis headed goalwards but it was cleared on the line. Minutes after this, Henshall picked up the ball on the half-way line and strolled through the Rusthall midfield and defence before being denied by the keeper who tipped his goalbound shot just wide.
Prime fell behind on the half-hour mark when the defence failed to clear and the Rusthall midfielder's shot looped goalwards and went in off the inside of the post - leaving Kerton stranded.
Rusthall doubled their lead when another shot from the edge of the box was deflected over Kerton and looped into the net.
It was harsh on Prime who had seen Cary denied a debut goal by a fine tip over by the keeper at the other end.
Abu came on for Sander at the break with Hodges moved up front to help the hard-working Barker. Kerton had picked up a foot injury towards the end of the half when clearing under pressure, but he was able to carry on.
Prime were under pressure at the start of the half, but solid defending from Mazurkiewicz and Davis and the centre-backs kept Prime in the game.
Ellis' legs gave up on him on the hour mark, allowing Williams to join the action at right-wing with Flamank switched across to the left.
Prime were coming into the game more and more and threatened to pull one back. Firstly Cary headed over at the back-post from Flamank's excellent corner and then following good work by Hodges and Davis, Abu put a header wide.
Gray was replaced by Gilbert for the last 20 minutes after struggling with blisters and this co-incided with Rusthall getting back in the ascendancy. Firstly Kerton had to tip over after defensive indecision and then after both centre-backs missed a high ball, their striker nipped in and rolled the ball past Kerton to seal the win.
All in all it was a good battling performance by The Numbers, but they are still in search of their first ever win in the Chairman's Trophy after 6 years of trying.