Prime finalised their pre-season preparations by hosting AFC Valour at Colebrook. The weather was the exact opposite of the week before with blazing sunshine and clear skies replacing last week's monsoon!

Valour arrived with about 16 players - meaning boss Chris Russell did not even need to change into his kit as he observed from the sidelines.

The same luxury was not available for Prime boss Goldsmith who was pressed into action up front due to Ferguson's late drop-out. Sykes, Westcott, Williams, Henshall and Chapman were also missing, meaning that Prime had only 2 rolling subs.

The Numbers started the game well with Excell and Goldsmith holding the ball up and bringing Fitzgerald and Abu into the game and Prime fashioned the first half-chance on 10 minutes when Fitzgerald laid the ball into Goldsmith who worked half a yard but dragged his shot wide from the edge of the box.

Flamank and Buckland were both enjoying themselves down the wings - benefiting from the slope in the first-half.

Prime took the lead on 20 minutes when Kerton's goal-kick was kept in play by Sander's shanked volley which flew straight towards Excell who was clean-through after the Valour defender's air-kick and he smashed home his first Prime goal since 5th March 2011 with an angled drive.

Harris and Davis had by now joined the action and Valour were pressing for an equaliser. But Kerton was in inspired form and Turvey and Cary made several vital clearances and interceptions as the Prime goal led a charmed life.

But Prime doubled their lead just before the break when Sander chipped a beautiful ball into Abu who headed into Flamank. He flicked an effort towards the near-post with the outside of his right-boot which hit the angle of post and bar and Excell was on hand to force home from 6 inches!

So Prime led 2-0 at the break, but with a couple of players carrying injuries and the slope to contend with, they knew it would be a much tougher 45 - and so it proved.

Valour attacked from the kick-off and they had soon halved the deficit when Buckland mis-kicked and their left-winger crossed for their striker to tap in.

Kerton made a couple more excellent saves but Prime were struggling to get out of their half and it was soon 2-2 as their striker drilled in a low shot from the edge of the box.

Valour took the lead as the pressure told on Prime's defenders with some of the Prime midfield guilty of not tracking back.

Goldsmith had come back on with Flamank's hamstring twinging but after he was dispossessed on the half-way line, Valour surged down the right and netted a 4th goal with a bobble defeating Buckland's attempts to clear on the line.

There was still time for a comical consolation goal as Goldsmith just about reached a bouncing ball before it went out of play on the right touchline 10 yards inside Valour territory.

He smashed an up-and-under in the vague direction of the Valour goal and the visiting keeper lost the ball in the sun and ended up palming the ball into his own net.

The final whistle went soon after to end what was a useful work-out for both sides before the league campaign begins next Saturday.

Several Prime players staked a strong claim for a place in the starting XI for that game and some of the absentees from today might find they miss out.