Long Lane came out of the traps as quick as lightening, and closed The Wells down, giving them no chance to get into their stride - and the Culverden side soon found themselves a goal down after a long ball over the top caught the defence square, allowing the visiting forward to put the ball past the wells keeper.

Lane continued to close The Wells down, but with chances not being taken it allowed the home side to get a foothold in the game, and with Jack Huke chasing down the defender who then collided with his own keeper, Huke with the ball at his feet dispatched the ball into an empty net for 1-1.

The celebrations were short-lived though, and within a minute Tunbridge Wells were behind 1-2 after some sloppy defending. And worse was to come when Long Lane hit a third.

To The Wells’ credit they kept plugging away, and created some great chances. Had they been a little more clinical in front of goal, they could have got back to 3-3 before half time - but as it stood, the half ended 1-3 in Long Lane’s favour.

The second half saw a much better start, with The Wells taking the game to their opponents - but chances went begging, and with the defence not dealing with another long ball, putting it out for a throw instead of putting it down the channels, a speculative shot from the Long Lane throw seemed to squeeze under the Wells keeper for 1-4.

With a mountain to climb, the lads continued to play some attractive football, and when Ryan Waterman picked the ball up just outside the left edge of the penalty box, rounding a defender before unleashing a curling shot into the far corner, it gave the final score a little more respectability at 2-4.

“The lads must be commended on the second half performance, but must also be ready for the game from the start,” reflected coach Darrell Cousins after the game. “Take nothing away from Long Lane, though. They are a very good side and are one of the favourites to win this league."