After losing 5 consecutive matches to Rusthall IV (now Rusthall Reserves) in the last 14 months, Prime aimed to gain some revenge - this time against Rusthall III.

The Barker brothers were both missing as was Gilbert, so changes were made to the starting XI. Kerton returned in goal, Goldsmith came in up front and last week's goal-scoring super-sub Gray returned to his more familiar centre-back role. Flamank, Cary and Postlethwaite made up the bench.

Prime won the toss and switched to kick down the slope with the sun in their keeper's eyes. They started well with Goldsmith and Overy closing down Rusthall's back 4 quickly and keeping the ball firmly in their half.

But on pretty much their first attack, the home side took the lead after a mix-up between Abu and Kerton. Abu's back-pass was weak and the striker nipped in and got to the ball before Kerton and the 'keeper clattered into him and a penalty was awarded and then converted.

Prime suffered another setback soon after when Overy was left clutching his ankle following a challenge on the left-wing. He had twisted it badly and needed to be helped from the pitch - not the ideal 18th birthday present for the young striker! Flamank replaced him in an unaccustomed centre-forward role.

Prime were still enjoying more than their fair share of the play with Henshall and Abu finding space and wingers Coleman and Sander both seeing plenty of the ball.

Prime deservedly equalised midway through the half after Goldsmith's bulleted throw-in was met perfectly by the leaping Ellis at the near post - a goal straight out of Stoke's scrap-book!

As Prime sensed a potential weakness, the following 10 minutes produced a series of long throws which Rusthall dealt with - or be it at full stretch.

Prime took the lead 10 minutes before the break when Henshall beat the last man to the ball just inside Rusthall's half and from his cross-shot, Sander slid home at the far post to notch for a second consecutive week.

Goldsmith and Flamank were continuing to cause problems with Goldsmith winning everything in the air and Flamank's pace a constant threat, but Prime could not add to their tally before the break.

It was obvious that Rusthall would improve in the second half with the slope in their favour and the blinding low sun now a real menace for the Prime backline. Prime held up well for 10 minutes or so, with Gray, Barnham, Davis and Ellis all putting in some vital tackles to deny the home side.

But just as it seemed Prime had weathered the storm, Rusthall equalised with a goal that had more than a touch of good fortune about it. A throw in down the left-wing was hooked on hopefully into the box from an acute angle and Kerton watched in anguish as the ball dropped into the far corner of the net.

Prime were getting sucked deeper and deeper and Goldsmith was by now ploughing a lone furrow up front and with 3 defenders for company most of the time, he could not hold the ball up and provide much respite for the back 4.

Rusthall were in front just after the hour when a cross-shot from the left wing again eluded Kerton and found the corner of the net.

Cary came on for Gray as Prime tried to find a way back into the game, but it was 4-2 soon after as Prime only half-cleared a corner and Rusthall's midfielder fired a shot through a ruck of legs and into the net.

Prime dug really deep and Rusthall - perhaps now comfortable with their lead - sat back and with Sander and Flamank switching positions, Prime threatened to make a comeback.

The closest they came was when Abu burst through the defence but his shot was high and wide.

At the other end, Postlethwaite - who had just come on for Barnham - produced an excellent goal line clearance as Prime committed numbers forward.

Another defeat then against Prime's bogey club, but at least Prime posed plenty of problems for Rusthall and they will be confident of avenging this defeat back at Cadogan next year.