Brenchley Wanderers 0-4 Ashton Prime
Wednesday 24th April 2013, Memorial Ground, Paddock Wood
A season ruined by bad weather meant that Prime faced their first midweek game since Tuesday 29th April 2008 at Paddock Wood.
Saturday's defeat at AFC Valour Reserves meant that Prime needed a win to have any chance of improving on 7th in the table, but they would have to do so without Flamank and Abu who were both unable to get to the ground in time due to work commitments.
Buckland, Goldsmith and Williams came into the defence, with Henshall starting down the right and stand-in captain Walker joined Ellis in central-midfield. An unchanged strikeforce left Sander, Goulding and Cary on the bench.
Brenchley got the game going at about 6:45pm with a game of 40 minutes each way agreed.
Prime were in the ascendancy from the off with Barker and Ferguson's physical presence up front an obvious cause for concern for the hosts.
Sykes' left foot was another potent weapon for Prime and he swung in some dangerous early crosses and free-kicks. At the back, Brenchley attacks were sporadic, but Williams and Goldsmith were dominant in the air and Buckland put in some important tackles down the right.
Prime took the lead on 20 minutes when Nowak was felled just outside the box. With the free-kick favouring the right-footer, Goldsmith waived Sykes away and proceeded to curl a beauty into the top corner - although in fairness a more agile keeper may have saved with ease!
After scoring his first of the season in stoppage time on Saturday, Goldsmith suddenly had the taste for goals and 5 minutes later, the ref gave a free-kick in an identical postion but this time the gaffer's effort rebounded back off the crossbar.
Prime threatened a second when a real goalmouth scramble was somehow hacked clear with Barker, Ferguson, Henshall and Ellis all having half-chances.
Brenchley came close from a corner just before the break, but with Balcombe's handling looking very solid, Prime could sense a clean sheet.
No changes were made at the break and Prime doubled their lead just after the interval when Nowak was tripped inside the box and Barker stepped up to convert the penalty and effectively kill the game.
Sander came on to replace Buckland soon after at right-back before Ellis' through-ball released Barker who coolly lobbed the advancing keeper on the half-volley for his 15th goal of another prolific season.
Brenchley had a golden opportunity to pull one back when their striker outpaced Goldsmith but poked the ball wide of Balcombe's goal.
Cary and Goulding came on for the closing stages and Prime added a 4th when more good work by Ellis resulted in Ferguson having a tap-in to take him into double figures for the season.
Prime continued to defend well and with darkness drawing in, the ref ended proceedings with a comfortable victory for the visitors.
Credit should go to the hosts for raising a side to play the match and many of their players will find first team football elsewhere next season if they do fold (as seems likely).
Special mentions go to stand-in skipper Matt Walker for driving back from Nottingham for the match and Chairman Ian Goulding for driving down from the midlands via Canterbury to make the bench. It's not quite what the pros do before an evening game!
One game to go against league leaders Woodlands Reserves on Saturday. They need the win to secure the title, but with a fired-up Pete Ferguson playing against his old side, Prime will be in the mood to complete another double against a promotion-chasing side.