FOLKESTONE INVICTA 1 KING'S LYNN 3 

Folkestone Invicta crashed out of the F. A. Umbro Trophy when they went down 3-1 at home to fellow Dr Martens League Premier Division side King's Lynn at Cheriton Road on Saturday afternoon.  Centre forward Lyndon Rowland was the hero for the Norfolk club as his hat-trick to took the Linnets into the last 32 of the competition for the first time in their history.

With the scores level at 1-1 with 15 minutes remaining, one-time Sittingbourne striker Rowland struck twice to put this Third Round tie beyond the home side's reach.  Rowland hap opened the scoring during first half stoppage time when he was there at the far post to convert Simon Dakin's deep right wing cross. But Invicta were level just seven minutes into the second half with a similar goal as Stuart White tapped the ball home after Steve Lawrence put goalkeeper Chuck Martini under pressure following good work by Paul Chambers and James Dryden. 

With a replay looming, Rowland restored the visitors' lead after 75 minutes when he knocked home fellow striker Jon Palmer's ball in from the right following a hopeful ball forward. And Rowland completed his hat-trick by making it 3-1 after 82 minutes when a ball in from the left had the Invicta defence in trouble again.

Invicta's two main injury doubts - captain Chambers and left back Richard Ponsford - both played the full 90 minutes, although Chambers' cause wasn't helped when he went down heavily under challenge from Palmer as early as the 3rd minute. 

But Invicta were dealt a blow when striker Nicky Dent limped off on the half hour mark to be replaced by the eager Dryden who was to have a good game. Chances were few and far between during the first half as Lawrence lobbed wide for Invicta in the 17th minute and centre half Scott Daniels blocked Tommy Wright's 34th minute strike at the other end.

It was to be a much better second half as Invicta attempted to cancel out Rowland's opener. Chamebrs shot against the post after 50 minutes following good play from Dryden and the pair were involved again two minutes later for White's equaliser.

But King's Lynn were able to regain the initiative as Rowland shot wide from the edge of the penalty area and then headed over from virtually on the Invicta goal line. Rowland missed a good chance when Wright found Dakin down the right after 66 minutes, but was soon to be his club's hero. The introduction of teenager John Ayling for the closing ten minutes injected some much-needed pace into the Invicta line up and the substitute was denied by goalkeeper Martini in the 84th minute.

There were bookings for Invicta's Daniels (19th minute) and King's Lynn centre half Glenn Fuff (64th minute).

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Wietecha, Morris, Ponsford, Larkin, Daniels, White (Ayling 80 mins), Briggs, Chambers, Lawrence, Dent (Dryden 32 mins), Ross. Unused subs: Everitt, Winfield. 

KING'S LYNN: Martini, Dakin, Clark, Robnison, Fuff, March, Nwadike, Hayes (Anderson 90 mins), Palmer (Bush 88 mins), Rowland, Wright (Gibson). Unused subs: Spearing, McNeill.

Attendance: 342.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA 4 ST LEONARDS 6
(After extra time.)

Folkestone Invicta went out of the Dr Martens League Cup when they lost an extraordinary First Round tie 6-4 after extra time against struggling Eastern Division side St Leonards at Cheriton Road on Tuesday night.

Trailing 2-0 at half time, Invicta hit back to lead 3-2 before the visitors forced extra time with an equaliser five minutes from time.Invicta restored their lead during the first period of extra time but were pegged back again and it was the visitors who came out on top and now play hosts to Langney Sports in the Second Round.

The home side enjoyed the early ascendancy, but it was St Leonards who opened the scoring in the 28th minute when midfielder Desmond Boateng dribbled through the middle of the Invicta defence and poked the ball past furious goalkeeper Dave Wietecha. It was 2-0 just four minutes later when striker Dominic Barclay scored at the second attempt after Wietecha had saved his initial effort when centre half Andy Larkin failed to cut the ball out. 

Richard Ponsford cleared off the line from Ross Venables in the 43rd minute as Invicta were reeling. A triple substitution at half time highlighted the home side's desperation. But they were thrown a lifeline after 67 minutes when Andy Morris made it 2-1 from the penalty spot after Danny Moody was booked for going through the back of Nicky Dent.

Captain Paul Chambers picked his spot but shot against the post after 75 minutes, but Invicta were level seconds later when centre half Scott Daniels headed home substitute Jeff Ross' cross from the left.

And the home side appeared to have completed their comeback when Ross opened his account for the season with a glorious 83rd minute strike after a move involving both Dent and Steve Lawrence. But Barclay latched onto a through ball to save the day for St Leonards two minutes later.

Defender Larkin popped up to volley his side ahead again in the 96th minute. It was Larkin's first goal of the season and only his second in Invicta colours, exactly two years to the day after his previous effort at home to Witney Town.  But again Invicta could not hold on to their lead and as Barclay completed his hat-trick with a great finish after 101 minutes. And substitute Shaun Loft made it 5-4 to the Sussex side from the penalty spot after Boateng had gone down under a 105th minute challenge from Larkin.

Goalkeeper Graham Bannatyne touched over substitute Ricky Reina's 111th minute effort from the right, but there was to be no way back and Venables made it 6-4 in the 118th minute.

Dent joined Michael Everitt in the referee's notebook in the final minute to sum up Invicta's frustration. Dent had almost started the game in sensational fashion when his lob from within his own half left goalkeeper Bannatyne stranded but ended up just wide of the post. 

Invicta's Chambers finished the game clearly struggling with what appeared to be a groin strain as he dropped back to be the last man from towards the end of the 90 minutes with the home side having already used all three substitutes.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Wietecha, Morris, Ponsford (Winfield 45 mins), Larkin, Daniels, Everitt (Ross 45 mins), Briggs, Chambers, Lawrence, Dent, Dryden (Reina 45 mins).

ST LEONARDS: Banatyne, Willard, O'Callaghan, Henham, Moody, Boateng, Piper (Cornelius), Venables, Barclay, S. Fox (Loft 73 mins), Fletcher. Unused sub: Hogg. 

Attendance: 142.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA 0 BATH CITY 2

Folkestone Invicta endured another frustrating afternoon on Saturday when they were well beaten by a strong Bath City side and had centre half Andy Larkin sent off by referee Gavin Hoare from Strood.

The Romans were always in control of the game as they took the lead as early as the forth minute through centre half Colin Towler and increased their lead in the 54th minute thanks to top goalscorer Martin Paul. And while it did not affect the result of the game one of the big talking points on Saturday was the performance of the referee.

Mr Hoare has never endeared himself to the Folkestone club over the past few years and he will once again be off their Christmas card list after booking six home players and sending off both Larkin and manager Neil Cugley.

Larkin was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 67th minute for a tangle with big centre forward Graham Colbourne when it appeared that the Invicta defender had initially been fouled. And Cugley was sent into the stands three minutes later for the second time this season by the same referee, the only two times it has happened to the Invicta manager in over ten years as a boss.

But all that cannot disguise the fact that Invicta were always second best in this game as they slumped to their sixth defeat in eleven home Premier Division games so far this season. The rot set in as early as the fourth minute when captain Paul Chambers waywardly headed the ball behind his own goal and Towler headed home Scott Walker's subsequent corner. 

It was exactly the start Invicta did not want after conceding three goals from set pieces at Margate on New Year's Day. In a lively opening period Andy Morris was denied by goalkeeper Sal Bibbo after a neat one-two with Nicky Dent after six minutes, while at the other end Paul sidefooted wide after ten minutes when Mike Davis combined with Jimmy Fraser down the right.

There was a flashpoint in the 18th minute when Invicta left back Richard Ponsford was lucky to escape with just a yellow card after a horror tackle with Fraser which infuriated the away side. Stuart White soon followed him into the referee's notebook, but the home side were close in the 34th minute with a deft chip from Dent after a Chambers ball.

But Bath finished the half strongly as Dave Wietecha got down to save Davis' 37th minute shot and Mark Harrington fired over in the 44th minute after a Colbourne ball. And Invicta had a mountain to climb when Paul headed home a cross from the right to make it 2-0 within ten minutes of the second half.

Larkin was booked in the 56th minute for pulling down Colbounre right on the edge of the area. A double substitution after 58 minutes heralded the much-anticipated re-appearance in Invicta colours of former hero Ricky Reina after a five-year absence, but he was unable to make a fairytale impact here.

Scott Daniels became the next Invicta player to be booked and Invicta's problems increased with Larkin's dismissal following another melee involving both sets of players. The controversy spread to the touchline with Cugley's dismissal and things became somewhat farcical as both Chambers (dissent) and Dent (challenge on the goalkeeper) were also booked as the referee had lost control of the game.

Invicta hold their position away from the relegation zone but have again conceded more goals than any other side in their league.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Wietecha, Morris, Ponsford, Larkin, Daniels, White (Everitt 58 mins), Briggs, Chambers, Lawrence (Dryden 85 mins), Dent, Ross (Reina 58 mins). 

BATH CITY: Bibbo, Vickerman, Walker, Holloway, Towler, Tisdale, Davis (MacLean 82 mins), Fraser, Colbourne (Allison 88 mins), Paul, Harrington (Gosling 74 mins). 

Attendance: 519.

MARGATE 3 FOLKESTONE INVICTA 2

Folkestone Invicta suffered a heartbreaking defeat on New Year's Day when they went down to an injury time goal away to new Dr Martens League Premier Division leaders Margate at Hartsdown Park.

Invicta were only behind for about 20 seconds throughout the game but came back with nothing to show for their efforts as Lee Williams' last-ditch winner won the day for the home side. Invicta had twice been ahead in front of the 950 crowd and appeared to have earnt a point when goalkeeper Dave Wietecha saved Eliot Martin's penalty after 85 minutes.

The penalty decision was dubious when Phil Collins went down as Jeff Ross dived in and referee Bottomer from Chislehurst further infuriate the visiting contingent with the free kick decision that led to Margate's last-ditch winner.

Captain Martin slung the ball in and defender Williams was there to secure Margate's ninth straight home win in all competitions. Margate's success is based on strong defensive organisation and the danger they pose from set pieces. And it was the latter which was to prove to be Invicta's undoing as home centre half Iain O'Connell helped himself to two goals from corners. Attacking down the slope it was Margate who created the early chances as Jay Saunders fired over in the 8th minute.

But it was Invicta who opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a low shot on the turn from Ryan Briggs which went in off the post after Richard Ponsford's free kick was nodded down.

On a windy afternoon, former Dover Athletic centre half O'Connell made it 1-1 when he headed home Mark Munday's 27th minute corner from the left. Right back Andy Morris shot high and over for Invicta when he ran nearly the whole length of the pitch with the ball after 40 minutes, while striker Steve Lawrence forced Invicta's first corner of the game a minute later when it was captain Paul Chambers' turn to run at the home defence.

Margate themselves were close when Wietecha saved from the Premier Division's leading goalscorer Phil Collins during first half stoppage time. Invicta were playing the better football at the start of the second half and within a minute of the re-start Briggs shot over after running through the middle.

Morris restored Invicta's lead in the 52nd minute when he took the ball on and unleashed an absolute screamer from 25 yards. Local lad Morris always seems to thrive in big derby games such as this and lapped up the applause.
But Margate were level again in familiar fashion in the 65th minute when O'Connell met Martin's corner from the right after Leon Braithwaite had chased a seemingly lost cause to force a set piece from Richard Ponsford.

Margate signalled their intent by replacing defender Dean Yorath with a third striker Mo Tako after 73 minutes.
Invicta's Nicky Dent worked himself into a shooting position after 75 minutes and fired wide and a minute later was booked for kicking the ball away in anger when he wanted the referee to play the advantage rule after a foul on Lawrence. But Morris moved across from right to left to send the subsequent free kick crashing against the Margate crossbar as luck began to desert the visitors.

Centre half Andy Larkin made a saving tackle on Braithwaite in the 84th minute when the Margate striker seemed set to score. But again things went against the visitors when Ross' seemingly innocuous challenge resulted in Margate's penalty. But justice seemed to have been done when Wietecha came to his side's rescue to deny Martin.

There was to be that last final cruel twist as Margate played their get-out-of-jail card. Invicta will hope that such moments will even themselves out during the second half of the season as they bid to stay up, while Margate go into the New Year as leaders after title favourites Burton Albion were beaten 2-1 at Ilkeston Town. Margate's Munday was booked as his side celebrated their last gasp winner. 

MARGATE: Turner, Yorath (Tako 73 mins), Lamb, Edwards, Williams, O'Connell, Munday, Martin, Braithwaite, Collins, Saunders. 

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Wietecha, Morris, Ponsford, Larkin, Daniels, White, Briggs, Chambers, Lawrence, Dent, Ross. Unused subs: Winfield, Dryden, Everitt.

Attendance: 950.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA 2 FISHER ATHLETIC (London) 1

Folkestone Invicta made it three consecutive home wins during December as they overcame fellow strugglers Fisher Athletic (London) at a cold Cheriton Road on Boxing Day. On a heavily sanded pitch Invicta took a stranglehold on the game when first half goals from Steve Lawrence and Paul Chambers gave them a 2-0 lead.

But Leroy Huggins pulled a goal back for the visitors just before half time to leave the result in doubt until the final whistle. Invicta went into the game with an unchanged line up, but it was Fisher who had the first chance of the game in the 7th minute when Invicta centre half Scott Daniels headed off the line to deny Peter Overton after Huggins had pulled the ball back. The home side responded two minutes later as Nicky Dent brought the best out of goalkeeper Maurice Munden at the other end.

Invicta opened the scoring in the 16th minute when the unmarked Lawrence nodded home when right back Andy Morris' throw in worked its way across to him. Dent blasted over in the 30th minute when Jeff Ross' deep left wing cross presented him with a good chance to increase Invicta's lead.

But Chambers made it 2-0 after 33 minutes when he fired home after his initial shot had been saved when Morris' up-and-under put his former Ashford Town team mate Munden under pressure. Daniels's effort was cleared off the line after 36 minutes when the home side forced their first corner of the game and appeared to be well in control of proceedings. 

But Invicta's grip on the game was loosened when Sam Tydeman made a good 41st minute run to set up Huggins to fire low into the far corner of the net. It was the first goal Invicta had conceded in 340 minutes of football.  Clear cut chances were few and far between after the interval. Richard Ponsford's free kick flew just wide after 68 minutes following a foul by Tydeman on Chambers. But Invicta had an escape at the other end when the ball held up in the sand after 74 minutes when centre forward Overton appeared to be through for the visitors. Munden touched over a Dent header from a Ponsford free kick after 81 minutes as the home side went forward again.

There were bookings for Invicta centre half Andy Larkin (foul on Ray Powell after 52 minutes) and for Fisher's Tydeman (challenge on Dent after 26 minutes) and Powell (lunge at Daneils after 81 minutes).

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Wietecha, Morris, Ponsford, Larkin, Daniels, White, Briggs, Chambers, Lawrence, Dent, Ross. Unused subs: Winfield, Everitt, Dryden.

FISHER ATHLETIC (London): Munden, Robinson, Aris (Best 76 mins), Manning, Frost, Newson (O'Neil 79 mins), Huggins (Gamble 45 mins), Tydeman, Overton, Powell, Barr. 


Attendance: 386.

SALISBURY CITY 0 FOLKESTONE INVICTA 0

Folkestone Invicta came back from Wiltshire with a creditable point away to sixth-placed Salisbury City from their first ever visit to the Raymond McEnhill Stadium on the Saturday before Christmas. This was Invicta's third consecutive clean sheet and also their fourth draw in their last five away league games which suggests that this side is capable of surviving at Premier Division level as long as it begins to win of its home matches.

On a bitterly cold afternoon deep amidst the Salisbury Plains, Invicta went into the match with the same starting line up which had comfortably beaten Worthing in the F. A.. Trophy. And on a good playing surface the visitors always looked capable of getting something from the match as they became the first team to prevent Salisbury from scoring in a home game so far this season.

The 428 crowds had to wait until the 20th minute for the first serious efforts on goal when man of the match Tyrone Bowers for Salisbury and Steve Lawrence for Invicta forced corners from goalkeepers Dave Wietecha and Justin Shuttlewood respectively. Shuttlewood did well to hold Richard Ponsford's 39th minute shot, with Lawrence waiting to convert any rebound. But with home supporters growing restless, having not been beaten at home all season, top goalscorer Paul Sales shot over from 25 yards in the 43rd minute and Wietecha had to keep out Martin Shepherd's looping effort just before half time.

Salisbury put Invicta under slightly more pressure after the interval as Wietecha came out quickly to save at Jimmy Smith's feet after a 56th minute ball in from the left and Wietecha was there again after 57 minutes when Sales let fly from outside the box. Invicta replaced left winger Jeff Ross with teenager Darren Winfield after 70 minutes as they looked to dig in for a point.

Smith couldn't quite work out an opening for himself inside the Invicta penalty area in the 80th minute, but the visitors nearly stole the lead a minute later when Shuttlewood touched over Ryan Briggs' header when a Ponsford free kick was nodded on. There was a scare for Invicta when Bowers got to the bye line down the right hand flank after 82 minutes, but centre half Scott Daniels was there to clear the ball away to safety.

SALISBURY CITY: Shuttlewood, Bartlett, Cook, Lush, Emms, Turk, Bowers, Sales, Shepherd, Smith (Harbut 85 mins), Riohardson. Unused subs: Curtis, Simpkins. 

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Wietecha, Morris, Ponsford, Larkin, Daniels, White, Briggs, Chambers, Lawrence, Dent, Ross (Winfield 70 mins). Unused subs: Everitt, Dryden.

Attendance: 428.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA 4 WORTHING 0

Folkestone Invicta won through in their much delayed F. A. Umbro Trophy Second Round tie on Monday night as goals from Steve Lawrence (2), Scott Daniels and Nicky Dent set up a Third Round meeting with fellow Dr Martens League Premier Division side King's Lynn at Cheriton Road on Saturday January 13th.

It was perhaps fitting that the rain should return on Monday night after the tie had previously been postponed three times, but it was not enough to dampen Invicta's parade as the Folkestone side cruised to their most comfortable victory of the season so far.

Invicta were on top from the start as left back Richard Ponsford sent a screamer flying just over the Worthing crossbar in the opening minutes. Dent headed wide after six minutes following an excellent run from within his own half to the Worthing bye line by left winger Jeff Ross. The Worthing defence just about managed to scramble the ball away from their own goal line when they seemed set to concede an own goal after 14 minutes.

Paul Chambers was close when a great ball from Dent put him through. But Invicta were ahead after 20 minutes when centre half Daniels touched in his second goal in three days after goalkeeper Richard Waters touched Ponsford's 30-yard free kick into his path.

It was 2-0 in the 28th minute when Lawrence headed home Ponsford's corner from the right. Mark Burt for Worthing and Ponsford again for Invicta were close from outside the area, while Invicta goalkeeper Dave Wietecha saved Gary Green's long range shot at the second attempt just before half time.

It was 3-0 after 50 minutes when Dent collected the ball from striking partner Lawrence, took it in and rifled the ball low into the net across the wet surface. Worthing improved after the interval with the introduction of striker Ben Carrington who headed over from Spencer Mintram's cross. Mark Rice missed a good chance when he shot wide across goal as the visitors began to throw players forward.

The fourth goal was a copy of the second as Lawrence headed home another Ponsford corner from the right in the 70th minute. With the game now well won, Stuart White shot wide when Lawrence played him in. Green became the only player to be booked by referee M. John from Croydon.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Wietecha, Morris, Ponsford, Larkin, Daniels (Everitt 77 mins), White, Briggs, Chambers, Lawrence, Dent, Ross (Winfield 67 mins). Unused subs: Dryden, Ayling.

WORTHING: Waters, Smith, Mintram (Weston 67 mins), Burt, Andrews, Webber (Carrington 45 mins), Kennett, Green, Rice, Funnell (Brackley 67 mins), Tuck. Unused subs: Cox, Townsend.

Attendance: 174. 

FOLKESTONE INVICTA 1 TAMWORTH 0

Folkestone Invicta recorded their first Dr Martens League Premier Division victory for nearly three months thanks to a 24th minute goal from Scott Daniels at Cheriton Road.  Former Dover Athletic centre half Daniels half volleyed the ball into the net to notch his first goal for the club when a free kick was only half cleared to give the home side a much-needed three points. It was Daniels' first game back after a hamstring injury and he later collected the Man of the Match award from sponsors British Energy. 

Invicta's long wait for a league win had dragged on for too long, but there was an element of fortune to Saturday's victory as Tamworth controlled much of the game. With both sides struggling at the wrong end of the table, this was perhaps always going to be something of a tense affair. There was an explosive opening to the game as Invicta were close within a minute when visiting goalkeeper Darren Acton tipped over a typically speculative chip from Nicky Dent. And after just two minutes punches appeared to be thrown during a flare up between Billy Manuel and several Tamworth players, although referee M. John from Croydon chose to take no action. 

The visitors had a great chance to open the scoring after 14 minutes when Warren Haughton was given on-side to be put clean through, only for Dave Wietecha to turn the ball round the post for a corner. Wietecha did well again to pick Scott Huckerby's shot out of the air after 15 minutes and Invicta had an even more narrow escape after 20 minutes when Huckerby's shot deflected against the crossbar. 

Daniels' goal was just what Invicta needed and the home side were close again with a Richard Ponsford free kick after 27 minutes. Daniels was in more familiar territory when he made a saving tackle on Nick Colley after 30 minutes and Huckerby shot over for Tamworth from the right hand edge of the box after 34 minutes.

Invicta were riding their luck and Colley shot against the post after 35 minutes. David Foy shot wide as the Lambs continued to create chances and Rob Warner's right wing cross caused more danger in the Invicta box. There was another flare up right on half time when Dent clashed with goalkeeper Acton. Tamworth started the second half strongly and Huckerby headed just wide after 65 minutes. Wietecha touched the ball away acrobatically as Invicta faced more pressure after 75 minutes.

But the home side dug in and there was some respite when Dent shot over after 81 minutes following a great run from Ryan Briggs. Foy finally became the game's only booking after 83 minutes.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Wietecha, Morris, Ponsford, Briggs, Daniels, White, Manuel, Chambers, Lawrence (Dryden 83 mins), Dent, McCann. Unused subs: Ross, Ayling.

TAMWORTH: Acton, Warner, Mutchell, Colley, Howard, Hatton, Foy, Turner (Hallam 65 mins), Huckerby, Haughton, Carter (Haywood 62 mins). Unused sub: Clark. 

STAFFORD RANGERS (1) 3 FOLKESTONE INVICTA (0) 0
Folkestone Invicta came away from Stafford empty handed after conceding goals at the start of each half on a heavy and bobbly pitch at Marston Road on Saturday afternoon. The home side were ahead as early as the 3rd minute when Antony Eccleston opened the scoring and put the result beyond doubt with two goals within the first ten minutes of the second half. Invicta fell behind when the ball fell to Ecclestobn who prodded the ball home after Leigh Everitt had combined with Darren Middleton down the right flank. All the first half chances fell to the home side as Andy Larkin made a great tackle to deny Eccleston after ten minutes and Dave Wietecha saved at his near post to deny Everitt on the quarter of an hour mark. Wietecha was to keep the visitors in it during the first half as he tipped over Middleton cross-cum-shot and made an excellent double save after 30 minutes when Middleton put in another dangerous low cross from the right. And the Invicta goalkeeper was at it again after 40 minutes on his 100th appearance for the club with another good save after a throw in from the left was headed on.

But any hopes Invicta had of salvaging something from the game evaporated during the opening period of the second half as Craig Lovatt made it 2-0 after 48 minutes when Wietecha could only touch away Paul Kiely's drive from the left. And it was 3-0 just four minutes later when dangerous centre forward Joe O'Connor ran through the middle to round Wietecha and touch the ball into an empty net. It was turning into another miserable afternoon for Invicta, but the bitterly cold weather did not deter one male streaker who ran onto the pitch after 63 minutes. Invicta were in trouble again after 64 minutes when Wietecha managed to keep out O'Connor's attempted chip, with Andy Morris there to clear off the line. Middleton shot over in the 66th minute after a move involving O'Connor and Kiely, but there was some respite for Invicta as substitute James Dryden headed a Morris cross wide.

Prompted by Billy Manuel, Invicta enjoyed their best spell of the game during the final 20 minutes as Nicky Dent's shot flashed across the goal after 70 minutes. But the visitors had Peter McCann to thank three minutes later as the young Scot saved a certain goal with a block in the middle of the Invicta box. Home goalkeeper Richard Williams tipped over Manuel's shot after 76 minutes and Paul Chambers volleyed against the post when Ryan Briggs played the ball in from the left. Stafford's Eccleston became the game's only booking after a flare up in the 90th minute.

STAFFORD RANGERS: Williams, Everitt, Jones, Middleton, Brindley, Simkin, Kiely (Craven 73 mins), Lovatt, O'Connor, Eccleston, Dundas (Boughey 77 mins). Unused sub; Shaw.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Wietecha, Morris, Ponsford, Larkin, White (Dryden 45 mins), Briggs, Manuel, Chambers, Lawrence, Dent, McCann. Unused subs Ross, Ayling.
09-Dec-00 RM Attendance: 608.

OXFORD CITY 3 FOLKESTONE INVICTA 4

Folkestone Invicta at last graduated into the Second Round of the F. A. Umbro Trophy when they won Monday night's First Round replay by the odd goal in seven at Oxford City's Court Place Farm. Invicta now face Worthing, who like Oxford City play in the Ryman League Division One, at Cheriton Road in the next round this Saturday afternoon.

The visitors got just the start they did not want as Michael Thorp opened the scoring for the home side after just two minutes when he let fly from outside the penalty area after the ball had come back off an upright when Matty Whitehead forced the game's first corner. But Invicta were not behind for long as striker Steve Lawrence made it 1-1 after five minutes when he slotted the ball home from Billy Manuel's through ball after Darren Winfield had laid Jeff Ross' throw in off to his more experienced colleague. 18-year-old Winfield was in the starting line up for the first time as a left back, with Richard Ponsford moving into the heart of the defence to replace the injured Scott Daniels who had pulled a hamstring in Saturday's 2-1 home defeat against Moor Green.

It was 2-1 to Invicta after 20 minutes when Ponsford's free kick skidded off the wet surface and into the net after Shaun Wimble was booked for a foul on Paul Chambers. Whitehead was at the centre of everything the home side created during the first half and he tested Dave Wietecha with shots after 35 and 43 minutes, but Invicta finished the first half well in control. There was incident even during the half time interval as assistant referee Read had to be replaced after himself pulling a muscle. Invicta themselves had injury problems of their own as Nicky Dent was replaced a minute after the re-start with a groin injury.

Oxford's danger man Dwaine Strong began to feature as he shot just over after 47 minutes, but Invicta were close two minutes later with a glancing header from substitute James Dryden from Jeff Ross' left wing cross. It was 3-1 after 52 minutes when Lawrence capitalised on a stray back pass, went round goalkeeper Alan Foster and squared the ball unselfishly for Dryden to score. 

That should have been that, but Oxford responded as a goalmouth melee ensued when Wietecha let a 57th minute corner slip and Strong went close a minute later. As in the first game Oxford got better as the game went on and substitute Danny Wise headed in a free kick from the right to make it 3-2 after 67 minutes. Invicta re-established their two-goal advantage after 80 minutes when the linesman's flag did not go up for once and Stuart White slid the ball under the goalkeeper for what was to prove to be the winner, with Chambers there to make sure the ball had crossed the line.

Wise brought Oxford back into it at 4-3 with his second goal of the night and third of the tie after 86 minutes.And Invicta had to endure an uncomfortable finale as the home side had the ball in the net again from outside the penalty area after 88 minutes, only for an offside flag to come to the visitors' rescue.And Wise's control let him down when he was put through again in the final minute.

OXFORD CITY: Foster, Sweeney (Ferreira (85 mins)), Dark. Peirson, Thorp (Wise 62 mins), Emsden, Organ, Whitehead, Druce, Strong, Wimble. 

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Wietecha, Morris, Ponsford, Larkin, Winfield, White, Manuel, Chambers, Lawrence, Dent (Dryden 46 mins), Ross (Everitt 85 mins). Unused sub: Ayling.

Attendance: 109.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA 1 MOOR GREEN 2

Folkestone Invicta's suffered another defeat in the Dr Martens League Premier Division when they went down 2-1 at home to high-flying Moor Green amidst atrocious conditions at Cheriton Road.  Played against a backdrop of torrential rain, this was a proverbial game of two halves as Invicta played well during the first half, but for the third consecutive home game relinquished a lead and let their visitors back into the game. 

Nicky Dent had opened the scoring with a spectacular over head kick after 20 minutes for his fourth goal in four games since returning from an achilles injury, but the visitors hit back to win with two goals after the interval.
The conditions made things difficult for everyone on Saturday but Invicta set about their task well. Dent headed wide at the far post after 17 minutes from Peter McCann's deep left wing cross following a good move involving Billy Manuel and Steve Lawrence, and Dent opened the scoring three minutes later when he acrobatically met Stuart White's right wing cross after left back Richard Ponsford had switched the play across the field.

It could have been 2-0 before half time but Moor Green goalkeeper Andy De Bont saved from Paul Chambers after an excellent 37th minute cross from right back Andy Morris. Moor Green had not seriously threatened the Invicta goal throughout the first half, but the visitors were to dominate the second half. It was 1-1 after 58 minutes when the unmarked Steve Pope equalised after Richard Softley had touched on a free kick from the right.

The visitors were now on top, though Invicta were close on the hour when Chambers headed over Manuel's cross.
With the rain at its worst, Moor Green took the lead when Softley bundled the ball over the line after an almighty melee on the Invicta line. Invicta goalkeeper Dave Wietecha made a great save to deny substitute Jamie Petty after 72 minutes, but Invictah ad a good chance to equalise in the 86th minute when De Bont saved from White after Dent had poked the ball through. This was another disappointing result which put Invicta back into the bottom four, with Moor Green climbing to second in the table, but few could fault the efforts of the players in such horrendous conditions.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Wietecha, Morris, Ponsford, Larkin, Daniels (Briggs 86 mins), White (Maunder 86 mins), Manuel, Chambers, Lawrence, Dent, McCann (Ross 72 mins). 

MOOR GREEN: De Bont, Gillard, Brighton (Woodley 45 mins), Stanley, Pope, Hayde (Crisp), Softley, Baddams, Hall, Shepherd (Petty 68 mins), Martin. 

Attendance: 336.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA 2 OXFORD CITY 2

Folkestone Invicta and Oxford City will have to do it all again on Thursday night when their F. A. Umbro Trophy 1st Round tie was finally played at Cheriton Road on Tuesday night but finished in a draw after three postponements.

In atrocious conditions the home side twice let the lead slip and face a replay at Oxford's Court Place Farm to see who plays at home to Worthing in the 2nd Round on Saturday December 2nd. Invicta went into the game with new Australian striker Adam Maunder in the starting line up for the first time alongside Steve Lawrence and Nicky Dent. The home side had all the early chances as Dent shot against the far post after just five minutes when Andy Morris' right wing cross skidded across the wet surface and left back Richard Ponsford was close when he let fly from 25 yards after 15 minutes.

Invicta opened the scoring on the half hour when Ponsford's corner went into the net off Oxford centre half Michael Thorp, with Dent in close enough attendance to claim his 50th Invicta goal in 77 starts since joining the club during September 1998. But the visitors were level right on half time with their first real strike on goal when Andy Larkin failed to intercept a ball forward and the dangerous Dwaine Strong rounded goalkeeper Dave Wietecha to tap the ball into an empty net.

Invicta signalled their intent at the start of the second half, but captain Paul Chambers could only direct his header into the hands of goalkeeper Alan Foster after another Morris cross. There was no doubting the identity of the second Invicta goalscorer as Dent picked his spot to restore Invicta's lead after 53 minutes following another ball in from the right. 

Invicta were in complete control of the tie, but Dent was booked for his protests when the home side had strong penalty appeals waved away when Stuart White went down in the box in the 70th minute. And temperatures were raised when goalkeeper Foster went down under a late challenge from Dent. A replay was the last thing Neil Cugley's side wanted, but substitute Wise got the faintest of touches to head Strong's left wing cross into the net after 75 minutes. A saving block kept Oxford alive when Chambers was denied following an excellent Ponsford ball after 86 minutes, but the visitors were now playing with more belief and Wise shot wide with a chance to win in after 89 minutes. Ponsford was booked for a rash tackle in the 90th minute.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Wietecha, Morris, Ponsford, Larkin, Daniels, S. White (Ayling 83 mins), Manuel, Chambers, Lawrence (Ross 60 mins), Dent, Maunder (Dryden (62 mins). Unused subs: Everitt, Readings.

OXFORD CITY: Foster, Sweeney (Creer 75 mins), Dark, Thorp, Peirson, Emsden, Organ (Wise 64 mins), Whitehead, Druce, Strong (Scares 90 mins), Wimble. Unused subs: Rutter, Abbassi. 

Attendance: 123. 
 

HALESOWEN TOWN 4 FOLKESTONE INVICTA 4

Folkestone Invicta staged an incredible comeback to salvage a point from Saturday's trip to fellow strugglers Halesowen Town. Things were looking pretty grim as Invicta trailed 4-1 with half an hour remaining. But with nothing to lose the visitors threw players forward to completely turn the game around with three goals in an 18-minute spell as Steve Lawrence hit a hat-trick and Richard Ponsford equalised with a 30-yard free kick after 10 minutes.

Invicta could even have won the game as both captain Paul Chambers and new boy Ryan Briggs went desperately close to finding an unlikely winner in the closing minutes. With Peter McCann back on loan, Invicta had gone into the game with a 3-5-2 formation, with the Barnet youngster and Andy Morris acting as wing backs.
But the central defensive three of Ponsford, Larkin and Daniels did not look comfortable and Invicta fell behind after just ten minutes when Daniels' headed back pass put goalkeeper Dave Wietecha in trouble and Peter Sutton was given the simple task of tapping the ball into an empty net.

It was 1-1 after 24 minutes when home goalkeeper Andy Quy dropped McCann's deep cross and Morris' brave header presented Lawrence with the chance to equalise.
Halesowen restored their lead when Stuart Payne played a one-two with Lee Hines after 33 minutes and played the ball low across goal from the left for Sutton to strike again. It was to get worse for Invicta after 43 minutes when Wietecha made a good save from Payne but the Halesowen striker made it 3-1 from the rebound.

And there was action from the start of the second half as Chambers was denied by Quy at one end and Payne latched onto a ball over the defence at the other end to make it 4-1 after 46 minutes. Invicta replaced Stuart White with new Australian striker Adam Maunder after 55 minutes to finish the game with three forwards and reverted back to a flat back four.
They were thrown a lifeline after 62 minutes when Lawrence headed in Ponsford's corner to make it 4-2.

It was 4-3 after 73 minutes when Nicky Dent found Maunder on the right and the substitute's low cross was converted at the far post by hat-trick hero Lawrence who had more than doubled his tally for the season in this one game. The comeback was complete after 80 minutes when Ponsford's 30-yard free kick crept in after a foul on Daniels. 

The game was now completely open and Wietecha did well to save from Sutton after 85 minutes which kept Invicta level.
Chambers was agonisingly close after Maunder had met Morris right wing cross after 86 minutes and goalkeeper Quy somehow kept out Briggs' 89th minute volley which appeared to have goal written all over it.
Chambers became the game's only booking in the 89th minute.

HALESOWEN: Quy, Comyn, Owen, Wood, Lloyd, Collins, Cartwright, Sutton, Payne (Crisp), Smith, Hines. Unused subs: Ford, Aldridge. 

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Wietecha, Morris, Ponsford, Larkin, Daniels, S. White (Maunder 55 mins), Briggs, Chambers, Lawrence, Dent, McCann (Ross 78 mins). Unused sub: Dryden. 

Attendance: 340.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA 1 ILKESTON TOWN 3

Folkestone Invicta's poor home run continued when they went down 3-1 against Ilkeston Town at a blustery Cheriton Road on Saturday afternoon. It had all appeared to be going so well for Neil Cugley's side as Nicky Dent marked his long-awaited return from injury by opening the scoring in the 38th minute. But Invicta soon fell behind to goals either side of half time from Ilkeston's record signing Paul Eshelby and never recovered as former Nottingham Forest captain John McGovern began his managerial career with the Robins with a victory.

There were new faces in the Invicta line up as reserve team goalkeeper Kevin Readings came in for the suspended Dave Wietecha and teenager Ryan Briggs replaced the suspended Billy Manuel in midfield for his first appearance since joining the club on loan from Barnet. And the home side held their own during the opening period as visiting goalkeeper Andy Love made the first save of the game when he denied Jeff Ross in the 16th minute after Dent threaded the ball through.

At the other end Ilkeston forced the game's first corner when Eshelby's shot was blocked when Mark Clifford squared the ball across to him from the right. Readings made a good save when he palmed away Paul Challinor's fierce free kick from the edge of the box in the 33rd minute, but Invicta themselves were close when right back Andy Morris nearly headed them ahead from close range two minutes later. And Dent opened the scoring when he virtually passed the ball into the net when the danger appeared to be over as Steve Lawrence was dispossessed from Briggs' ball.lkeston came straight down the other end and Glenn Kirkwood shot against the post when put through. But the visitors were level in the 43rd minute with a looping header from Eshelby. And Readings was called into action again to deny Clifford just before half time.

The second half belonged to Ilkeston as Eshelby made it 3-1 in the 49th minute when his free kick from the left bounced straight into the Invicta goal as the rain began to fall heavily. It was 3-1 in the 70th minute when Clifford finished well after substitute Jamie Clarke had played the ball across from the left. Invicta soon made a triple substitution, but there was to be no way back. Readings saved from Clarke in the 81st minute, while Richard Ponsford was close for Invicta with a trademark free kick in the final minute.
There were bookings for Invicta's Lawrence, Andy Larkin and Morris.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Readings, Morris, Ponsford, Larkin, Daniels (Everitt 73 mins), Hayes (Ayling 73 mins), Briggs, Chambers, Lawrence, Dent, Ross (Dryden 73 mins).
ILKESTON TOWN: Love, Gould, Whitehead, Timons, Middleton (Clarke 53 mins), Challinor, Eshelby, Knapper, Helliwell, Kirkwood, Clifford. Unused subs: Poppleton, Todd. 
Attendance: 365.