Prime's league season kicked off in chaotic circumstances at Woodlands Walk. Already without Kerton, Flamank and Ellis from last week's cup defeat versus Rusthall, Barker and Gray both pulled out less than an hour before kick off due to work commitments.

It meant a last-minute reshuffle with Gilbert coming into central midfield in a 4-5-1 formation, with Goldsmith the lone striker. Postlethwaite was the only sub.

Woodlands started with the confidence that they will have gained from winning their first two games - but stand-in keeeper Lower was not unduly troubled with Williams and Cary performing solidly in the opening exchanges.

After 15 minutes of Woodlands pressure, Prime started to look dangerous themselves with Goldsmith linking up with Walters and Sander. Abu and Henshall were gaining a foothold in midfield with the help of Gilbert playing in an unaccustomed midfield role.

Prime threatened from a couple of corners and Cary nodded over from Goldsmith's long throw but it was Gilbert who came closest to breaking the deadlock when he lashed Henshall's cut-back goalwards, but the keeper tipped it over the bar.

Woodlands took the lead however, after about half an hour. A deep cross to the back post found an unmarked blue shirt and his header down was neatly tucked away on the half-volley by their striker.

Woodlands nearly doubled their lead minutes later, but Lower reacted surprisingly quickly to save a point-blank shot with his knee. He was in the action soon after when he tipped a dipping drive onto the crossbar.

At the other end Goldsmith was on the receiving end of some rugged challenges from most of Woodlands' backline - with little or no help from the referee who seemed perfectly happy to let them come through the back of him every time! It was a minor miracle when Prime were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box after a defender raked his studs down Goldsmith's calf. Abu stepped up and curled the free-kick just wide.

With 10 minutes to go until the break Lower's long clearance cleared the last defender and Goldsmith was clean through. Agonisingly as he sprinted after the ball, his hamstring twinged and the defender was able to recover and clear for a throw-in.

With Gilbert struggling badly with a knee injury, Prime were really up against it but they kept it at 1-0 going into the break.

Woodlands were quickly into their stride after the interval and they increased their lead when a shot hit the crossbar and was bundled in on the rebound.

5 minutes later it was 3-0 - this time in contraversial circumstances as a deep cross was control by both arms of a Woodlands player, but as Prime appealed for the obvious free-kick that never came, the ball was squared to the Woodlands full-back who shanked it into the corner of the net.

With Gilbert now barely able to move, Postlethwaite replaced him in midfield. Frustration was mounting for Prime as Henshall, Abu and Goldsmith were all pulled up for minor fouls, yet every time Prime appealed for a free-kick the ref waved play on.

Three further goals were added to the tally in the closing stages and the closest Prime came to getting a consolation was when Henshall headed wide from Abu's free-kick.

All in all it was a day to forget and Prime must forget this one and aim to get their season back on track in the Cup against Hunton Reserves next week.