Despite a spirited display from a shorthanded squad, Crookham Rovers U23s began their season with a 5-3 defeat away to Burghclere in the opening league-round of the ADFL Cup.
Rovers made the trip to West Berkshire without a full-strength side but gave as good as they got for much of the game.
Kyle Duffin opened the scoring with a well-struck free kick, and further first-half goals from Nate Holloway and Jamie Lavender saw Rovers move 3-2 ahead at the break.
The second half proved tougher for a tiring Rovers side. Around the hour mark, injuries to Tyler Lewis and goalkeeper Calum Walsh forced a reshuffle, with Walsh returning to the pitch at centre back and Eddie Plummer stepping into goal.
Burghclere took advantage of the disruption, adding two further goals to seal a 5-3 win.
Captain Luke Gorton reflected on a performance that, despite the result, had plenty to admire "We were really good up to 60 or 65 minutes, and then, with the injuries, we were just trying to get through the rest of the game with what we had," he said.
It was a tough way to begin the campaign, but there was plenty for Rovers to build on, not least the character shown by a depleted squad matching a capable Burghclere side for the majority of the game. Attention now turns to an away trip to Liphook U23s next week.