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Match Reports - Season 2003/4
October 2003 Matches click here




Folkestone Invicta (2) 3 Hitchin (0) 0

RM Sep 30, 2003 Attendance 428.
Folkestone Invicta set up an F. A. Cup showdown with Paul Parker's Welling United when they recorded an impressive 3-0 victory over Hitchin Town in Tuesday night's 2nd Qualifying Round replay in front of a 428 crowd at the Westbourne Stadium.

Striker Allan Tait scored twice after Anthony Hogg had opened the scoring to set up a 3rd Qualifying Round tie on Saturday October 11th.

At the other end, this was also Invicta's third consecutive clean sheet as former Hastings pair Tony Kessell (goalkeeper) and Adam Flanagan (centre half) again stood out.

On a night to remember for the Folkestone club, HOGG gave the home side the lead after 35 minutes when he hit a crisp finish into the bottom corner of the net when a free kick was headed out to him on the edge of the penalty area. It was Hogg's first goal since re-joining the club on loan recently and his first goal for Invicta since he opened the scoring in the club's painful 5-1 F. A. Cup 4th Qualifying Round replay defeat away to Welling in October 2001.

Hogg has subsequently played for Welling and will be as keen as anyone to avenge that defeat from two years ago.

Invicta were to deliver a decisive double whammy to Hitchin as TAIT made it 2-0 after 39 minutes when he applied the final touch from close range after James Dryden had hit the post down the left hand side and Mark Munday's shot had been blocked by a defender in a goalmouth scramble.

TAIT struck again to complete the scoring after 79 minutes when he beat substitute Matt Childs to a ball over the defence and coolly slotted the ball home for his tenth goal in eleven matches so far this season.

In contrast to Saturday's game, Hitchin had made a positive start as striker Adam Parker shot into the side netting from close range after just four minutes. But unlike the initial tie in Hertfordshire, this was a cagey opening period with chances few and far behind in the early exchanges. Craig Rydeheard got forward and shot just wide from outside the box after 28 minutes as the Ryman League Premier side had the slight edge in the opening half hour.

But Invicta's two-goal salvo was to prove decisive.

Neil Cugley's side got even better after the interval as Martin Chandler shot just wide across goal when Hogg played him through on the right after 53 minutes. Chandler shot wide from the right again after 57 minutes when he combined with Tait and Tait himself burst through the Hitchin defence and shot just wide after 67 minutes when captain Scott Lindsey played the ball out of defence.

Chris Dillon smashed the ball against the Invicta crossbar after 70 minutes when a deep cross from the left appeared to be going out for a goal kick before being headed back at the far post. But Tait's second goal put the result beyond any doubt and James Millar then fired just wide from the edge of the penalty area after 81 minutes. Tait burst down the right hand side after 85 minutes but was denied a hat-trick by goalkeeper James Robinson.

Hitchin threw centre half James Ayres forward in an act of desperation and Invicta goalkeeper Kessell made a great save to tip over the stand-in striker's header at the far post after 86 minutes when substitute winger Wayne Mills got down the right hand bye line after 86 minutes and Kessell saved from Mills following the subsequent corner.

Ayres curled a shot at Kessell after another Mills ball after 88 minutes and Kessell made another great tip over to deny Dillon any sort of consolation when the striker cut in from the right after 90 minutes following a Childs ball.

There were bookings for Invicta's Chandler (rash challenge on Rydeheard after seven minutes), Flanagan (foul on Carl Williams after ten minutes) and Dryden (foul on the touch line after 42 minutes) and for Hitchin's Ryan Frater (foul after 14 minutes), James Osborn (bad challenge on Chandler after 40 minutes) and Parker (dissent after 64 minutes).

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Everitt, Lindsey, Flanagan, Guest, Hogg, Chandler (Watkins 76 mins), Munday, Dryden, Tait, Millar. Unused subs: Ayling, Larkin, Blackman, Egan.
HITCHIN TOWN: Robinson, Bone (Mills 45 mins), Rydeheard, Frater (Childs 66 mins), Ayres, Scott, Williams, Osborn, Dillon, Parker, Maynard. Unused subs: Burke, Evans, McElroy.


Hitchin Town (0) 0 Folkestone Invicta (0) 0

RM Sep 27, 2003 Attendance 319. Folkestone Invicta lived to fight another day in this season's F. A. Cup when Saturday's 2nd Qualifying Round tie at Hitchin somehow remained goalless in a compelling match.

Invicta totally dominated the first half when they had enough chances to put the result beyond any doubt. But it was a different story after the interval as Hitchin themselves were left to rue a series of missed chances which could have won them the tie.

This season's F. A. Cup run is becoming something of an adventure for Invicta and it would have been cruel had they gone out on Saturday after a good all-round performance in front of a once again enthusiastic travelling support.

The Folkestone side took the game to their hosts right from the start and created four chances within the opening five minutes as James Millar volleyed wide, James Dryden went down under challenge from Dean McElroy when Allan Tait nodded the ball down, Martin Chandler forced the game's first corner when he let fly from fully 30 yards and a low Chandler shot was held by goalkeeper James Robinson after Tait had been taken out on the right hand side.

When Carl Drew shot wide from the left hand side of the box after ten minutes, it was as good as the first half was to get for Hitchin. It was all Invicta as a Chandler volley across goal was put out for a corner on the quarter of an hour mark when Dryden played the ball in from the right.

Dryden shot just wide when Tait played the ball in to Chandler after 21 minutes and Tait had a clear opening when he headed a Millar volley after Chandler played the ball in from the right a minute later.

As against Salisbury and Sittingbourne, Invicta had not turned their chances into goals and Anthony Hogg blasted over with a good chance after 33 minutes when Adam Flanagan headed on a long Dryden throw from the right.

Goalkeeper Robinson made a good save to deny Mark Munday after 41 minutes following a one-two with Tait as the Hitchin goal continued to live a charmed life.

The Ryman Premier League side simply had to improve after the interval and sure enough they signalled their intent straight after the re-start when Carl Williams headed a right wing cross against the crossbar at the far post within half a minute of the second half.

Invicta's Chandler then became the game's only booking for bringing down Williams as Hitchin threatened more in the opening minutes of the second half than they had throughout the opening 45 minutes.

James Osborn's free kick flew just wide of the post and Hitchin were close again after 52 minutes when Munday cleared off the line following Ryan Frater's deep free kick as the home side forced their first corner of the game.

Chris Dillon headed just over from Craig Rydeheard's cross after 59 minutes and an Osborn shot was charged down after 63 minutes.

Striker Adam Parker shot wide with a clear chance in the middle after 66 minutes when the ball came in from the right in a move started by substitute Wayne Mills.

It was end-to-end stuff as Tait shot at goalkeeper Robinson after 69 minutes when Chandler played him in through the middle and Flanagan did well to block a header at the far post from Williams' leftwing cross as play immediately switched to the other end.

The game had well and truly opened up and Hitchin goalkeeper Robinson came out bravely to save from Tait when Munday played the ball through the middle after 70 minutes.

Substitute John Ayling then couldn't head in at the far post after 76 minutes when Hitchin substitute Ian Scott's backheader let Dryden in down the left.

At the other end, Parker turned on the outside of the box and hit a screamer just wide of the Invicta post after 84 minutes. And Parker missed a gilt-edged chance to break Invicta's hearts after 88 minutes when he blasted over from close range when Mills' right wing cross was nodded down by Dillon.

HITCHIN TOWN: Robinson, Bone, Rydeheard, Frater, McElroy (Ayres 45 mins), Dillon, Williams, Osborn, Drew (Mills 40 mins), Parker, Maynard (Scott 64 mins). Unused subs: Burke, Childs.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Everitt, Lindsey, Flanagan, Guest, Hogg (Ayling 70 mins), Chandler, Munday, Dryden, Tait, Millar. Unused subs: Watkins, Larkin, Blackman, Holdway.




Folkestone Invicta (0) 1 Sittingbourne (0) 0

RM Sep 23, 2003 Attendance 308. Folkestone Invicta took all three points from Tuesday night's Kent derby against Sittingbourne thanks to a 52nd minute goal from Mark Munday in a match during which the home side had the chances to win by a far more comfortable margin.

Former Margate man MUNDAY got the all-important goal when he brought the ball down following a corner on the right and opened his account for Invicta by slotting the ball into the net. The home side had created chances from the start as James Millar was denied by the feet of goalkeeper Kevin Fewell to force the game's first corner after just a minute. Anthony Hogg was the next to go close on his return to Cheriton Road when his header was touched over for a corner by Fewell after three minutes and Micheal Everitt was close when James Dryden got down the right flank after five minutes. An early Invicta goal might have put a different complexion on the match and Allan Tait fired just wide with a low shot from the edge of the area when he turned a beat two defenders after ten minutes.

But Sittingbourne had survived the early onslaught and Tom Berry didn't make the most of his chance when the ball was played to him in the middle after 13 minutes. Berry's cross from the left two minutes later was touched away by goalkeeper Tony Kessell and played out for a corner by an Invicta defender.

Hogg then went the closest yet for Invicta when his shot from outside the penalty area came back off the post after 23 minutes as a breakthrough remained elusive to Neil Cugley's side.

Sittingbourne's Jamie Coyle was booked for a foul on Adam Flanagan on the left hand side after 31 minutes and from the subsequent free kick, Flanagan's diving header was saved by Fewell and Berry cleared off the line for a corner.

A Tait shot across goal was smothered but not held by Fewell after 48 minutes when Dryden played the ball to his striking partner down the right hand channel and Tait broke down the right again after 50 minutes before his ball in was cleared for a corner. Munday's goal a minute later finally gave Invicta the advantage.

Sittingbourne stuck to their task and Kessell got down to save Kieran Marsh's low shot from the edge of the area after 54 minutes.

John Ayling replaced Martin Chandler after 62 minutes and some trickery from the Invicta substitute down the left three minutes later set up a half chance for Tait at the far post. A Darren Smith shot from outside the penalty area forced a Sittingbourne corner after 67 minutes. But Tait got in down the right hand side again after 80 minutes, but goalkeeper Fewell saved for a corner and Millar was denied by a good Fewell save after 81 minutes when Ayling played him in on the right. A minute later a Hogg header was cleared off the line from a Millar corner on the right as Invicta went close again.

As well as Coyle, there were bookings for Invicta's John Guest (foul after 76 minutes) and Hogg (kicking the ball away after 90 minutes) and for Sittingbourne substitute Matt Nicholl (foul after 77 minutes).

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Everitt, Lindsey, Flanagan, Guest, Hogg, Chandler (Ayling 62 mins), Munday, Dryden, Tait, Millar. Unused subs: Blackman, Winfield, Watkins, Holdway.
SITTINGBOURNE: Fewell, Coyle (Nicholl 70 mins), Dowley (P. Davies 74 mins), S. Davies, Campbell, Taylor, Berry, Marsh (Gooding 89 mins), Neal, Smith, Spice. Unused sub: Beeney.




Salisbury City (0) 1 Folkestone Invicta (1) 1

RM Sep 20, 2003 Attendance: 463.
Folkestone Invicta had to settle for a point from their visit to Salisbury on Saturday in a game dominated by the antics of the match officials.

Top goalscorer Allan Tait gave Invicta the lead after just two minutes and both James Millar and James Dryden missed good chances to increase the visitors' lead before Steve Strong equalised for the home side in the 63rd minute.

But both management teams were left fuming about penalty decisions which were not awarded by female referee Janie Frampton and her assistants Kenneth Horrigan and Dominic Gillespie.

Salisbury were up in arms after 31 minutes when John Purchess' cross from the left bounced up and hit Invicta defender Dan Larkin on the hand. The assistant referee flagged and play was stopped, but he had apparently seen nothing untoward and play re-started with a drop ball outside the penalty area.

And it was Invicta's turn to feel aggrieved after 83 minutes when substitute John Ayling was clearly bundled over by defender Michael Cooper from Micheal Everitt's ball in, but a blatant penalty decision was somehow not given.

On a good playing surface, Invicta had made a positive start as a speculative 30-yard chip from Millar went just over the crossbar as early as the 2nd minute. And TAIT soon opened the scoring when he created a chance for himself and volleyed the ball into the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area. It was Invicta's first ever goal at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium, but they had the ball in the net again after seven minutes when Tait diverted Millar's shot in from Martin Chandler's corner on the left, but the strike was ruled out for offside.

Leigh Phillips headed over Mat Davies' cross from the right after 12 minutes, but Invicta were on top and Millar might have increased the lead after 13 minutes when goalkeeper Kevin Sawyer saved on the line following Dryden's ball in from the right. Everitt shot over from the edge of the box on the quarter of an hour mark and Anthony Hogg shot at Sawyer as he got in the box after 18 minutes on his first appearance back in Invicta colours following a loan move fro, Gravesend & Northfleet.

Strong had the ball in the Invicta net after 23 minutes, but the referee had already blown for a foul on goalkeeper Tony Kessell. The game began to degenerate into something of a farce in the aftermath of Invicta's penalty escape. Salisbury were close after 45 minutes when Gary Funnell's free kick from the edge of the area took a deflection, but Kessell got down to save that initial effort and did even better to keep out Phillips' close range follow up. Salisbury goalkeeper Sawyer made a great save to keep out Dryden's piledriver after 51 minutes when the Invicta striker combined well with Tait.

Dryden should have made it 2-0 after 59 minutes but shot wide across goal when Millar played an inviting ball in from the right in a flowing move also involving Hogg and Tait. There was a scare for Invicta after 62 minutes when goalkeeper Kessell spectacularly tipped over the crossbar to prevent a headed own goal from Larkin. But the subsequent corner led to an almighty scramble in the Invicta area, with STRONG eventually bringing his side level with a low shot to give him his eighth goal in five games.

Invicta were now hanging on and centre half john Guest headed a 65th minute cross from the right dangerously close to his own goal and out for a corner. Strong had a volley blocked for another corner and Phillips' shot from the right ran across the Invicta goal after 66 minutes.

But Invicta were denied the chance to win the game when Ayling should have been awarded that late penalty.

There were bookings for Salisbury's Roger Emms (dissent after 50 minutes) and Funnell (late challenge on Everitt after 60 minutes) and for Invicta's Guest (dissent after 35 minutes) and Tait (retaliatory kick at Mat Davies after 75 minutes).

SALISBURY CITY: Sawyer, Bartlett, Thomas, Cooper, Emms (James 60 mins), Davies, Turk, Funnell, Phillips (Turner 79 mins), Purchess, Strong. Unused subs: Crook, Brown, Holmes.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Everitt, Larkin (Winfield 67 mins), Flanagan, Guest, Hogg, Chandler, Munday, Dryden, Tait, Millar (Ayling 79 mins). Unused subs: Blackman, Watkins, Dyson.




Raynes Park Vale (0) 0 Folkestone Invicta (0) 2

RM Sep 13, 2003 Attendance: 120.
Mission accomplished was the message as Folkestone Invicta avoided any upset in their F. A. Cup 1st Qualifying Round tie as second half goals from James Dryden and Nick Hegley saw them through away to Raynes Park Vale on Saturday afternoon.

The Folkestone side could even afford the luxury of a missed Martin Chandler penalty amidst the sunshine in a genteel atmosphere at Grand Drive. Chandler lost his footing and blasted his spot kick high and wide after 48 minutes following a foul on Allan Tait by Auvil Fyffe.

But it was not to prove costly as DRYDEN broke the deadlock after 56 minutes when Tait beat Mike Kennedy down the right hand and crossed for his attacking partner to strike home.

The game was made safe after 77 minutes when substitute HEGLEY got the final touch on the line after goalkeeper Ed Cornwell had partially saved Tait's shot when Dryden dispossessed Doug Morrow and turned provider.

The visitors went into the game without captain Scott Lindsey (broken wrist), with Mark Munday taking over as skipper against their Combined Counties League opponents.

Invicta threatened early on when Drew Watkins played the ball to Tait down the right after three minutes and his dangerous low cross was taken off James Millar's feet in the middle by defender Rob Toulson.

Tait volleyed over after 14 minutes when centre half Adam Flanagan got forward to nod on Dryden's long throw from the right and Millar's low shot flew just wide two minutes later from the edge of the box when Micheal Everitt played the ball to him from the right.

Millar was close again after 23 minutes when he shot wide as Dryden's header fell to him following an up and under from Munday.

But the visitors had not made an early breakthrough and Raynes Park began to create chances of their own as striker Rawle Kendall ran through down the left hand side after 25 minutes, but goalkeeper Tony Kessell came out to save with his legs.

Kendall shot wide across goal after 34 minutes when Toulson picked Marc Skinner ort down the left hand side.

Kessell then came to Invicta's rescue when again after 43 minutes when he raced out to clear when a ball through the middle sent Neil wicks clear on goal.

Invicta made a purposeful start after the interval and Chandler's penalty could have given Neil Cugley's side a perfect start to the second half.

Chandler recovered to put Tait through after 52 minutes, but the striker shot wide across goal. Dryden's goal gave Invicta the initiative and Watkins had an acrobatic volley deflected wide after 63 minutes when Flanagan glanced on Dryden's long throw from the right.

Substitute Mathus Sendawual missed a chance to bring his side level and then blasted over a clear chance after 70 minutes when Graham Morrow got the ball in from the left after Stefan Perkins had beaten Watkins with a strong challenge.

Hegley opened his account for the club to make it 2-0 and was then denied by goalkeeper Cromwell after 80 minutes when a great crossfield ball from Watkins played the left winger in.

Dryden couldn't quite convert in the middle after 84 minutes when Tait spread the play to find Hegley on the left flank again.

At the other end, substitute Maejic Woznica's shot took a wicked bounce and was touched over the crossbar by Kessell.

Lee Blackman replaced Dryden after 90 minutes and was involved immediately when Everitt played him clean through, but Blackman squared the ball across to fellow substitute Hegley who fluffed his lines at the far post.

There were bookings for Raynes Park's Kennedy (dissent after 63 minutes) and for Invicta's Chandler (rash challenge after 38 minutes).

Invicta's travelling support formed the vast majority of the 120 crowd.

RAYNES PARK VALE: Cornwell, Morrow, Perkins, Kennedy, Toulson, Fyffe, Skinner (Sendawual 45 mins), Victor, Wicks, Kendall, Morrow (Woznica 77 mins). Unused subs: Cox, Giwa, Hind.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watkins, Larkin, Flanagan, Guest, Everitt, Chandler (Winfield 84 mins), Munday, Dryden (Blackman 90 mins), Tait, Millar (Hegley 70 mins). Unused subs: Dyson, Holdway.




Folkestone Invicta (1) 1 Eastleigh (2) 2

RM Sep 06, 2003 Attendance: 373.
Folkestone Invicta lost their unbeaten home record for the season when they conceded two early goals to go down 2-1 against league newcomers Eastleigh on Saturday afternoon.

The Hampshire club had placed great importance on the game as their players went into the game with the threat of their wages being with-held after a shock F. A. Cup exit at Kent League side VCD the previous weekend. And the visitors responded to send Invicta tumbling to their second successive Eastern Division defeat.

The game was effectively won and lost inside the first ten minutes as Eastleigh raced into a 2-0 lead to put themselves firmly in the driving seat. James Millar pulled a goal back on the half hour mark to give Invicta a lifeline, but as at Ashford on the August Bank Holiday Monday, Neil Cugley's side were unable to save the day against a resolute defence.

Defender Lee BRIGHT opened the scoring following the game's first corner in the seventh minute when he poked the ball in from close range after an attempted clearance was nodded down to him. If that was a shock to Invicta's system, then worse was to follow after ten minutes when Eastleigh's assistant manager David HUGHES volleyed his side 2-0 up from the edge of the penalty area when a free kick from the left was not fully cleared.

Things were not going the home side's way and captain Scott Lindsey became the first of the game's eight bookings for a foul on the left hand side of the box after 13 minutes.

There was to be little cheer for Invicta's top goalscorer Allan Tait on his 22nd birthday as the striker shot over when Adam Flanagan's free kick was headed on for Invicta's first real sight on goal after 18 minutes.

Eastleigh's vastly experienced Nicky Banger then took centre stage as he clashed with Invicta centre half John Guest. Banger was booked for pushing Guest as the ball ran out of play for a goal kick after 24 minutes and was fortunate to escape a second yellow card for bringing down the same player three minutes later.

A Banger shot from the left hand side flashed across the Invicta goal after 30 minutes as the former Southampton and Oxford United striker seemed to be involved in every incident for a spell.

But Invicta got themselves back into the game when a great ball from Martin Chandler put MILLAR through on the left hand side and the midfielder sent a well-struck low shot into the far corner of the net.

Invicta's Chandler (dissent following a foul on Hughes after 32 minutes) and Eastleigh's Chris Collins (foul on Tait after 34 minutes)soon became the latest two players to go into referee Basten's notebook.

Millar was close again after 38 minutes when his 25 yard free kick took a deflection but was well held by big goalkeeper Colin Matthews.

Eastleigh's committed approach resulted in a booking for Bright just two minutes into the second half for a foul on Chandler.

Banger then turned inside the Invicta box after 54 minutes but was denied by the feet of goalkeeper Tony Kessell. Five minutes later, Invicta centre half Flanagan was booked for bringing down Hughes as the Easteligh goalscorer burst through the middle. Flanagan was involved again after 65 minutes when his header was cleared off the line by Bright from a Millar corner after good play by Chandler down the right.

At the other end, Kessell tipped over from big Eastleigh substitute Robert Matthews after 66 minutes. Eastleigh's Daniel Woods was booked for a kick at James Dryden in the 69th minute and the visitors held on to their lead when Matthews saved substitute Nick Hegley's low shot in the 74th minute following a combination between Dryden and Tait.

Kessell saved from Hughes after 79 minutes as the visitors threatened to increase their lead and Matthews couldn't bundle the ball over the line from close range.

Invicta's best chance of an equaliser came after 83 minutes when Dryden nodded the ball on for Tait, but it was not to be as Matthews saved with his feet to secure the points.

Invicta's Guest became the game's final booking for dissent after 82 minutes.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watkins, Larkin, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey (Hegley 71 mins), Chandler (Everitt 80 mins), Munday, Dryden, Tait, Millar. Unused subs: Towse, Winfield, Egan.
EASTLEIGH: C. Matthews, Chamberlain, Collins, Bright, Warren, Marshall, Hughes, Gibbens, Sales (R. Matthews 61 mins), Banger (Ashford 70 mins), Woods. Unused subs: Rofe, Brown, Bowers.




Dulwich Hamlet (1) 1 Folkestone Invicta (0) 3

RM Aug 30, 2003 Attendance: 265.
Two goals in the last five minutes from top goalscorer Allan Tait gave Folkestone Invicta victory in their hard-fought F. A. Cup Preliminary Round tie away to Ryman League Division One South side Dulwich Hamlet in south London on Saturday afternoon.

Trailing to an early goal from Tony Houghton, Invicta had Micheal Everitt to thank for a 68th minute equaliser before Tait's late smash and grab show settled the issue on the day.

The Folkestone club now travel to meet Combined Counties League side Raynes Park Vale in the 1st Qualifying Round on Saturday September 13th.

Invicta manager Neil Cugley had scored one of the goals when the old Folkestone club won 2-1 away to Dulwich in the F. A. Cup of 1983-84 when a young Maurice Munden was in the Folkestone side.

Cugley the manager kept faith with Tony Kessell in the Invicta goal at the Champion Hill Stadium on Saturday despite the now veteran Munden's return from holiday. And he compensated for the absence of centre half Adam Flanagan (suspension) by adopting a wing back system with Scott Lindsey dropping into the heart of the defence alongside John Guest and Dan Larkin.

But Invicta were not at their best during the first half and fell behind after just eight minutes. HOUGHTON scored the goal when he drilled a low shot into the net when the ball fell to him on the edge of the area after the ball had come in from the right with Invicta having appealed for offside.

Tait was looking sharp for Invicta and hit a delicate chip just over the crossbar after11 minutes when he ran at the Dulwich defence.

Kessell saved Danny Husbands' low shot after 29 minutes when the ball fell to him after a dangerous run down the left from Omari Coleman and a dummy by Warren Haughton in the middle.

Dulwich were close again after 38 minutes when Francis Quarm's shot flashed across the Invicta goal when Coleman played him in down the right hand side.

There was danger for Invicta in the 47th minute when Houghton's deep cross from the left appeared to have gone out of play and was nearly converted at the far post by Haughton. Kessell then saved a screamer form Houghton after 50 minutes when Quarm spread the play out wide to the left.

Invicta needed to change something and substitute John Ayling replaced Drew Watkins after 64 minutes. Two minutes later Ayling couldn't direct his header on goal when James Dryden did well to get the ball in from the left in a move started by James Millar.

And EVERITT was Invicta's saviour when he slotted the ball into an empty net after Dryden had got up bravely to beat goalkeeper Scott Ward to Millar's ball in from the left.

The visitors were nearly ahead in the 72nd minute when Ward saved from Ayling after Mark Munday had nodded another free kick down.

Dulwich responded as Houghton shot wide from the edge of the box after 73 minutes when the ball fell to him following a free kick.

Invicta's Lindsey had already upset the Dulwich forward line with one or two challenges and the visitors' captain was booked after 75 minutes for a late tackle on Coleman which led to a mass free-for-all.

Invicta threatened to win the tie when Ward did well to deny Tait with a one-handed save after 81 minutes when Dryden collected the ball from a Kessell clearance, ran at the Dulwich defence and sent his striking partner away down the left.

But TAIT was not to be denied after 86 minutes when he followed up to put Invicta ahead when Ward saved from Dryden after Everitt had played the ball in from the left. And TAIT was not finished as he increased the lead after 90 minutes when a Kessell free kick found Ayling on the right and the substitute played a low ball in across goal from the right.

As well as Lindsey, Invicta's Martin Chandler was booked after 48 minutes.

DULWICH HAMLET: S. Ward, Kamara, Doherty, O'Brien, Hannigan (Green 60 mins), Side, Houghton, Quarm, Coleman, Husbands (D. Ward 84 mins), Haughton (Hynes 78 mins). Unused subs: Moore, Seuke.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watkins (Ayling 64 mins), Larkin, Everitt, Guest, Munday, Lindsey, Chandler, Dryden, Tait, Millar. Unused subs: Hegley, Winfield, Dyson, Egan.




Ashford Town (2) 2 Folkestone Invicta (1) 1

RM Aug 25, 2003 Attendance: 652.
Folkestone Invicta were brought back down to as they lost both their 100% and unbeaten records in one fell swoop on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon in a 2-1 defeat away to local rivals Ashford Town in front of a 652 crowd.

Striker Paul Jones did the damage with both Ashford goals during the first half after Invicta had taken an early lead through their own ace marksman Allan Tait.

Jones had scored for Invicta in a pre-season friendly at Whitstable in July and had been a possible signing for the Folkestone club before opting to stay at Ashford.

Invicta arrived at the Homelands as early league leaders after winning their opening three games and again named an unchanged side.

The visitors made a positive start as they took the game to the home side, but Ashford’s Jones did shoot at Tony Kessell after five minutes.

The visitors opened the scoring after eight minutes when Tait turned in the box and hit a well-taken goal inside the far post following a mistake by defender Martin Anderson.

Invicta were in the ascendancy and Drew Watkins headed over James Millar’s deep cross from the left after 11 minutes.

But Ashford were level after 16 minutes when Jones coolly slotted the ball past Kessell with a low shot after being put through down the middle.

Ashford were now right back in the game and Jones struck again after 28 minutes when he again held his nerve to go round Kessell and place the ball into the net after a touch from Lewis Phillips had put him through again.

Invicta were rocked and within a minute of Ashford’s second goal, visiting captain Scott Lindsey and Ashford’s Ian Ross were both booked following a skirmish in midfield.

Micheal Beale shot just wide from 20 yards after 45 minutes after good work by Adrian Stone as Ashford held their lead.

Ashford’s Anderson was booked within 30 seconds of the re-start for bringing down Tait on the left hand edge of the box when Jame Dryden had charged down his attempted clearance. Centre half Adam Flanagan headed over Watkins’ subsequent free kick,

A Millar shot dipped just over the crossbar when Invicta won their first corner of the game after 55 minutes from another Flanagan header.

But Ashford remained dangerous on the break and Stone shot at Kessell when he took on Dan Larkin down the right after 62 minutes and Flanagan came to the visitors’ rescue with a great tackle after 75 minutes when the tricky Phillips’ pace took him into the box.

Invicta introduced dangerous wide men Nick Hegley and John Ayling after 77 minutes as they pressed hard for an equaliser. But Ashford defended their lead determinedly and always managed to get a body in the way when dangerous threatened to leapfrog above Invicta in the Eastern Division table.

Ashford’s Lyndon Tucker (55 minutes) and Rob Gillman (88 minutes) were both booked for fouls on Invicta goalscorer Tait.

ASHFORD TOWN: Whitehouse, Anderson, O’Leary (Westwood 69 mins), Ross, Gillman, Tucker, Beale (Saunders 61 mins), Adlington, Jones, Stone, Phillips. Unused subs: Skinner, McRobert, Gardiner.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watkins (Chandler 66 mins), Larkin, Flanagan, Guest, Everitt, Lindsey (Ayling 77 mins), Munday, Dryden, Tait, Millar (Hegley 77 mins). Unused subs: Winfield, Egan.




Folkestone Invicta (2) 3 Fisher Athletic (0 ) 0

RM Aug 23, 2003 Attendance: 368.
Folkestone Invicta made it three wins out of three as goals from James Dryden (2) and Adam Flanagan gave them victory over old rivals Fisher Athletic at the Westbourne Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

23-year-old striker DRYDEN opened the scoring on the half hour mark when he stabbed the ball home after a Drew Watkins free kick fell to him inside the penalty area.

Centre half FLANAGAN made it 2-0 after 44 minutes when he slotted the ball in at the far post after a James Millar shot had been blocked on the line and the ball was played around the Fisher area.

DRYDEN struck again to complete the scoring after 86 minutes when he blasted the ball into the net after goalkeeper Michael Holder had saved his initial effort and substitute Nick Hegley was also denied from close range.

The feelgood factor is well and truly back for Invicta as they fielded the same starting eleven which had beaten Hastings in midweek.

Watkins was close after ten minutes when his shot from the edge of the penalty area deflected off Adam Young for the game's first corner.

Watkins then shot just wide with another low shot from the edge of the box after 17 minutes.

Dryden's opener put Invicta in charge and the goalscorer turned provider after 33 minutes when another Watkins shot was blocked on the line and Fisher's Steve Aris headed Millar's follow up off the line.

At the other end, Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell came out to deny the prolific Gary Abbott when Taffazzul Islam threaded the ball through into the right hand side of the box after 38 minutes.

Kessell has done all that has been asked of him in the absence of the holidaying Maurice Munden as he kept a second consecutive home clean sheet.

The goalkeeper came to Invicta's rescue after 50 minutes when he saved with his feet to deny substitute Lee Quinn after defender Dan Larkin had let the ball slip under his feet. Larkin had just moved across into the centre of the defence following an ankle injury to John Guest.

An Allan Tait shot flashed just wide after 51 minutes when Mark Munday touched the ball into his path.

But Invicta were not having things all their own way during the second half and Kessell had to save after 57 minutes when Quinn let fly from 25 yards.

The visitors had themselves to blame after 75 minutes when Aris met substitute Danny Fletcher's corner from the right only for his header to stay out after hitting team mate Abbott on the line.

Substitute Quinn was booked for clattering into Everitt after 82 minutes seconds after the Invicta right back had done well to stop him in his tracks as he lined up to shoot when Abbott played him through.

Kessell tipped over when Fletcher cut in from the right and shot from the edge of the penalty area after 84 minutes.

But Dryden's final goal was to send the 368 crowd home more than happy as Invicta maintained their excellent start to the season.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA; Kessell, Watkins (Chandler 69 mins), Larkin, Flanagan, Guest (Towse 51 mins), Munday, Lindsey, Everitt, Dryden, Tait, Millar (Hegley 77 mins). Unused subs: Ayling, Egan.
FISHER ATHLETIC (London): Holder, Khan, Young, Aris, Lorraine, Smith, Islam, Knight (Taylor 69 mins), Abbott, Brady (Quinn 40 mins), Rouse (Fletcher 45 mins). Unused subs: Josephs, Speers.




Folkestone Invicta (1) 2 Hastings United (0) 0

RM Aug 19, 2003 Attendance: 438.
Allan Tait added to his growing reputation by scoring both goals as Folkestone Invicta made it two Dr Martens League Eastern Division wins out of two with a 2-0 home win over Hastings United on Tuesday night.

21-year-old TAIT, who also scored twice in Invicta's 4-1 win at Rothwell on Saturday, opened the scoring after 25 minutes when he rifled a low shot past goalkeeper Matthew Brown when John Guest's high ball from the half way line eluded centre half Tony Burt.

The game then turned on two incidents which followed one another midway through the second half.

First Hastings midfielder Duncan McArthur was sent off for an elbow on Invicta's Mark Munday on the touchline after 69 minutes.

And with McArther barely back in the dressing rooms, Invicta had increased their lead within a minute when TAIT fired home after Drew Watkins had played the ball through to him.

Invicta had to wait until February for their first home league win of last season, but already the signs are that this will be a much more successful campaign for Neil Cugley's side after three seasons in the Premier Division.

In between the two Invicta goals, Tony Kessell made two vital saves to deny Hastings' Peter Taylor an equaliser.

Kessell, who has previously made over 150 appearances for Hastings, first came out to save from Taylor when a slip by right back Micheal Everitt presented the visitors with the chance of an equaliser after 33 minutes.

And the home goalkeeper made an even better save with his feet to deny Taylor again after 62 minutes when Hastings had threaded the ball through the middle.

Mitchell Sherwood had earlier forced the game's first corner for Hastings when a Ryan Peters ball played him in down the right hand side.

But Invicta were twice close themselves on the quarter of an hour mark when Burt did not get enough contact on Kessell's big clearance and goalkeeper Matthew Brown had to save first from a Tait lob and then from a James Dryden header following an Everitt cross from the right.

Tait's first goal put Invicta in the driving seat and the striker was close again at the near post after 31 minutes.

Invicta's Everitt ran down the right hand side after 47 minutes and shot low at goalkeeper Brown at the start of the second half.

Following Invicta's second goal, Hastings stuck to their task and Peter Sayer fired the ball across the Invicta goal from the right hand side after 72 minutes.

At the other end, former Margate man Munday was denied a debut goal when he couldn't quite nod in Watkins' far post from the right.

Hastings defender Burt shot wide from the edge of the penalty area after 88 minutes when the ball fell to him following a cross from the left.

As well as McArthur's dismissal, there were bookings for Hastings' Chris Honey (foul on Guest after 36 minutes), Ricky Spiller (bad foul on Tait after 86 minutes) and substitute Graham Webb (late challenge on Invicta substitute Martin Chandler during stoppage time).

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watkins (Chandler 89 mins), Larkin, Flanagan, Guest, Everitt, Lindsey, Munday, Dryden (Ayling 90 mins), Tait, Millar (Hegley 81 mins). Unused subs: Winfield, Egan.
HASTINGS UNITED: Brown, Sayer, Penfold, Burt, Startup, Peters, Spiller, McArthur, Honey (Lovell 52 mins), Sherwood (Webb 61 mins), Taylor. Unused subs: Sims, Eldridge, Graham.




Rothwell Town (0) 1 Folkestone Invicta (2) 4

RM Aug 16, 2003 Attendance: 138.
Folkestone Invicta romped to an emphatic victory as they began life back in the Dr Martens League Eastern Division with a convincing 4-1 win away to Rothwell Town on Saturday afternoon.

Allan Tait (2), James Dryden and Martin Chandler scored the goals at Cecil Street as Invicta cruised to a 4-0 lead after j8ust 48 minutes before the home side pulled a goal back.

Centre half Adam Flanagan was then sent off on his Invicta debut to prevent the visitors from inflicting further damage on a Rothwell side who are rebuilding after losing several players during the summer.

After three seasons as one of the smaller clubs in the Premier Division, Invicta now find themselves back in the position of being a big fish in a smaller pond. The Folkestone side had lost their opening fixture in each of their three Premier Division seasons, but this was a resounding show of strength from the visitors as they set about establishing themselves as one of the sides to beat this campaign.

Sporting their new Westbourne-sponsored shirts and track suits and with goalkeeper Tony Kessell, Flanagan and Drew Watkins all making their full league debuts for the club, Invicta were always in control of this game.

The visitors were close after just four minutes when James Millar's inviting free kick from the right flew just in front of the advancing Flanagan and Dryden.

And Invicta opened the scoring after 14 minutes when DRYDEN thumped the ball home when striking partner Tait's touch out him through from a Micheal Everitt free kick on the right.

It was 2-0 after 27 minutes when TAIT got in front of his marker to head home Watkins' right wing cross after the debutant had combined with Dryden in a move started by Chandler and Millar on the left.

Rothwell had to wait until the 32nd minute for their first real chance on goal when Ryan Nash cut in from the right and shot at Kessell after Nelson de Souza had spread the play to the right following a good run from Richard Weale.

The second half started with a flurry of three goals in five minutes. Invicta increased their lead when CHANDLER made it 3-0 after 47 minutes when he shot home on the turn following a ball in from the right.

And it threatened to be a rout when TAIT made it 4-0 within a minute with his second goal of the game when he latched onto a Dryden through ball and blasted at goalkeeper Richard Wootton who got his hands to it but could not prevent the ball from hitting the back of the net.

Rothwell themselves finally had something to cheer about after 49 minutes when the unmarked WEALE made it 4-1 with a shot from the left hand edge of the box following a cross from the right.

Chandler then curled a shot inches wide of the post from 25 yards as Invicta stepped up the pressure again.

But trouble was brewing as Flanagan and Rothwell's Portuguese midfielder de Souza locked hands and exchanged blows in the home penalty area after 56 minutes. Seconds later Flanagan was sent off on his Invicta debut for an alleged use of the elbow in an aerial challenge with de Souza, having earlier been booked after 41 minutes for clattering into Micky Garside.

Flanagan's dismissal was a cue for the game to peter out somewhat. Rothwell substitute Liam Morris poked his shot wide following a cross from the left after 80 minutes.

And Invicta substitute Nick Hegley was denied by goalkeeper Wootton after skipping past two challenges in the 86th minute when the home defence played themselves into trouble.

Invicta captain Scott Lindsey was booked for dissent after 89 minutes and goalkeeper Kessell got down well to save Carl Lake's subsequent free kick from the right hand edge of the box.

Hegley had another chance during injury time when a ball over the defence put him through, but he lost his footing and could only shoot at goalkeeper Wootton.

ROTHWELL TOWN: Wootton, Thatcher, Weale, Lake Flannigan (Rice 67 mins), Dowling, Nash, De Souza, Garside (Haughton 82 mins), Underwood (Morris 67 mins), Knight. Unused subs: Mitchell, Keirle.
FOLKESTONE INVICT|A: Kessell, Watkins (Winfield 75 mins), Larkin, Flanagan, Guest, Everitt, Lindsey, Chandler, Dryden (Hegley 80 mins), Tait (Ayling 79 mins), Millar. Unused subs: Dyson, Egan.




Folkestone Invicta (0) 1 Welling United (1) 1
after 90 minutes, Invicta won 4-2 on penalties.

RM Aug 09, 2003 Attendance: .
Folkestone Invicta win 4-2 on penalties.

Goalkeeper Maurice Munden was the hero of the hour as Folkestone Invicta retained the Sid Burvill Cup in a penalty shoot out against Welling United amidst sweltering conditions at the Westbourne Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Munden saved Welling’s first two spot kicks as Invicta won the shoot out 4-2 and was denied a hat-trick of penalty saves when he was judged to have taken a step forward before saving Ian Cousins’ third penalty for Welling.

Invicta had a 100% record from the spot as substitute Lee Blackman hit the winning kick after successful strikes from James Millar, Martin Chandler and Allan Tait.

Munden initially got down to his left to save from Paul Booth and then produced an excellent one-handed save when Lew Watts tried to break the net with his penalty.

Cousins scored at the second attempt for Welling and Michael Fowler was also successful for Paul Parker’s side.

The game had finished 1-1 after Drew Watkins hit a 56 minute equaliser for Invicta following Booth’s 4th minute opener for Welling. And the game went straight to penalties after the 90 minutes was completed.

Both goals were soft as a mix up in the Invicta defence allowed Fowler to square a low ball across from the right for Booth to open the scoring in the middle.

And Welling goalkeeper Glen Knight appeared to have saved Watkins’ strike from the right, only for it to spin backwards and over the line despite Knight’s attempts to keep the ball out.

Striker Tait had earlier hit the post and Watkins the crossbar as Invicta’s encouraging pre-season form continued, with Neil Cugley’s side only defeat coming in their opening game of the summer against Gillingham.

Booth’s goal gave Welling the perfect start, but Invicta should have been level after 12 minutes when Tait blasted over after striking partner James Dryden’s through ball had put him clean through.

Munden got down to save after 22 minutes when Danny Slatter played Booth in down the right and Slatter himself was allowed to force a corner as the Invicta defence again failed to clear.

There were chances at both ends after 31 minutes when Booth was allowed to get another shot in when John Guest gave the ball away cheaply to Dave Powel and Tait didn’t get enough on his header when Dryden played the ball in from the left.

Tait then shot low against the post when Dryden put him through again after 33 minutes and Millar’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Knight two minutes later in a move involving both Dryden and Tait and former Invicta centre half Anthony Henry blocked Tait’s follow up.

Tait then shot just wide on the turn from the edge of the box right on half time.

Invicta were desperately close again within two minutes of the re-start when Watkins’ free kick hit the crossbar after Henry had fouled Tait on the edge of the box.

With Micheal Everitt dropping back to right back, Watkins was revelling in a more advanced role in midfield.

But Welling were close after 51 minutes when Powell headed just over at the far post from Slatter’s right wing cross.

Invicta were lifted by Watkins’ equaliser and Henry cleared from Dryden in the box following a Millar pass after 56 minutes.

It was an open game as Welling’s skilful Anthony Riviere cut in from the right after collecting the ball from Tim O’Shea in the 66th minute, but Guest was there to clear.

Watkins was able to shoot at Knight again from the edge of the penalty area after 66 minutes when the Welling defence gave the ball away.

With penalties looming, Welling defender Billy Burgess blocked Dryden’s shot after 77 minutes when the Invicta forward picked his spot in the box after Tait had put him through.

But Welling looked like winning the game after 86 minutes when substitute Austin Berkley threaded Riviere through in the box, only for Everitt to clear bravely from Booth when the ball was squared across close to the goal line.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Munden, Watkins (Ayling 72 mins), Larkin (Towse 78 mins), Guest, Flanagan (Winfield 54 mins), Lindsey, Everitt, Millar, Dryden (Blackman 84 mins), Tait, Hegley (Chandler 66 mins).
WELLING: Knight, Burgess, Cousins, O’Shea, Henry, Watts, Slatter, Fowler, Powell (Berkley 60 mins), Booth, Riviere.




Folkestone Invicta (1) 2 Dover Athletic (0) 0

RM July 31, 2003 Attendance: .
Folkestone Invicta got their hands on the Malcolm Welsh Shield for the first time since 1995 when they overcame arch rivals Dover Athletic in Thursday night’s pre-season encounter at Cheriton Road.

The home side went ahead after 13 minutes when Dover striker Tommy Tyne headed into his own net and James Millar added a second goal to make the game safe with just five minutes remaining.

In between the goals, Dover had the majority of the possession, but were again unable to find the net as Invicta goalkeeper Maurice Munden made two outstanding saves during the first half.

Invicta threatened early on when the gutsy Micheal Everitt played the ball in from the right after seven minutes, striker Allan Tait got something on it and the ball just evaded the in-coming James Dryden at the far post.

And the home side opened the scoring after 13 minutes following their first corner of the game. Full back Drew Watkins played the ball in from the left and Dover’s TYNE headed into his own net at the near post.

Dover responded as Matt Carruthers shot at Munden after 16 minutes when the ball was played across from right to left and the dangerous Carruthers’ left wing cross was headed wide at the far post by Craig Wilkins tow minutes later.

Munden produced the first of his two wonder saves after 25 minutes when he turned Tyne’s shot round the post for a corner as the Dover striker cut in from the right.

Tyne’s eventful contribution to the opening half hour came to an end when he limped off to be replaced by Issi Armaldi after 28 minutes.

Everitt blocked a Dean Readings shot following a Dover corner and Jamie Day shot over as Dover piled on the pressure.

Former Crabble favourite Munden rolled back the years with his second moment of magic after 32 minutes when he somehow tipped an equally good Lee Spiller thunderbolt over the crossbar.

Munden was replaced at half time as Invicta introduced former Hastings goalkeeper Tony Kessell.

Dover continued to create the majority of the chances as Carruthers chipped just wide of the far post from the left hand side after 50 minutes and Andy Arnott headed wide when right back Anthony Browne played the ball in from the right hand side after 56 minutes.

At the other end, a Watkins free kick from the left was touched over the crossbar by Dover goalkeeper Paul Hyde on the hour mark.

Carruthers’ run and cross down the left after 64 minutes eluded everyone as it flashed across the Invicta goal mouth.

This was a competitive local derby and Dover captain Arnott was tactfully withdrawn following one discretion too many for referee Ian Gosling after 66 minutes.

A mass free-for-all followed after 70 minutes when Carruthers reacted badly to a challenge by Watkins. The Invicta right back was subsequently replaced by striker John Ayling, with Everitt dropping back into the defence.

Watkins headed just wide from Carruthers’ right wing cross before being replaced by Invicta old boy Nicky Dent after 77 minutes.

But after hanging on for much of the second half, Invicta finished with a flourish. Defender John Guest beat Amardi to Kenny Dyer’s ball in after 85 minutes and as the home side broke, substitute Ayling played a perfectly weighted ball across from the right for MILLAR to double the lead.

The home side had played the more inventive football and buoyed by the goal, Ayling’s ball fell into Tait’s path after 86 minutes and the striker ran on and hit a low shot at goalkeeper Hyde.

It was nearly 3-0 after 89 minutes when Dryden blasted against the upright as Invicta threatened again down the right hand side.

And captain Scott Lindsey was soon leading the celebrations as the Shield was presented on the pitch immediately after the game.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Munden (Kessell 45 mins), Watkins (Ayling 70 mins), Larkin, Flanagan, Guest, Munday (Chandler 45 mins), Everitt (Towse 87 mins), Lindsey, Dryden, Tait, Hegley (Millar 45 mins). Unused subs: Blackman, Winfield, Rainbow.
DOVER ATHLETIC: Hyde, Browne (Martin 61 mins), Dyer, Readings, Arnott (Davies 66 mins), Chapman, Day (Glover 72 mins), Spiller, Wilkins (Dent 77 mins), Tyne (Amardi 28 mins), Carruthers.




Hythe Town (0) 2 Folkestone Invicta (1) 2

RM July 26, 2003 Attendance: .
Two goals in three minutes from striker Roy Godden gave Hythe Town a share of the spoils as the Kent League side came back from 2-0 down against Dr Martens League neighbours Folkestone Invicta.

GODDEN made it 2-1 after 72 minutes when a mistake by new Invicta centre half Adam Flanagan allowed him to convert substitute Graham 'Charlie' Wire's ball in from the right.

And, remarkably, Paul Fisk's side drew level after 74 minutes when Invicta goalkeeper Maurice Munden was unable to deal with substitute Lee Winfield's up-and-under from the right and GODDEN was there to pounce again when the ball came back off the post.

The aforementioned Winfield had only been introduced in between the two Hythe goals to be placed ,intriguingly, in direct opposition to twin brother Darren who had been brought on as left back for the visitors.

Invicta seemed to have had the game won after goals from Lee Blackman and James Millar had put Neil Cugley's side firmly in the driving seat.

BLACKMAN opened the scoring on the quarter of an hour mark when he was controversially given on-side and found the net when Millar's shot fell to him after Drew Watkins had played Invicta's first corner of the game in from the right hand side.

And MILLAR made it 2-0 after 66 minutes with a delicate chip from 25 yards which left goalkeeper Nick Day rooted to his spot after the Invicta midfielder had won the ball with a strong challenge on Dan Fisk. It was a rare moment of quality in an otherwise disjointed second half performance from the visitors.

This was an often ill-tempered pre-season friendly between these local rivals during which referee Lee Venemore had to ask the respective benches to 'substitute' Hythe's Mark 'Parky' Robertson and Scott Porter and Invicta goalkeeper Munden at various points.

As early as the second minute Invicta should have been awarded a penalty when Blackman was clearly fouled by defender Scott Thomas when given on-side from an Allan Tait through ball following a Hythe corner at the other end.

Invicta had by far the better of the first half exchanges as Blackman shot wide after 12 minutes following a great long ball from Mark Munday to Millar.

And Hythe were soon protesting for offside when Blackman opened the scoring.

Blackman was close again after 19 minutes when Dan Porter blocked his shot on the line when a free kick was played in to Tait.

Tempers flared after 26 minutes when Hythe striker Robertson raised his hands to John Guest and was replaced by Dan Fisk.

And centre half Guest was himself guilty of a bad challenge on Godden just a minute later.

Invicta were close again after 28 minutes when goalkeeper Day smothered Blackman's shot and Thomas cleared following a Tait through ball.

Hythe's best chance of the first half came after 31 minutes when veteran Jeff Ross was put clean through by Jason Brazier after Flanagan had given the ball away, but Munden got down to his left to deny his former Ashford Town team mate.

And the visitors had another chance after 42 minutes when Day saved from Millar at the far post following a move involving Tait, Micheal Everitt and Blackman.

Bad news followed for Invicta when the in-form Everitt was taken to hospital with a nasty looking elbow injury just before half time.

It appeared to be business as usual for the visitors just after the interval when substitute Nick Hegley's shot flashed inches past the far post in the 50th minute when defender Gary Miller could not get enough on substitute John Ayling's through ball to clear.

But Hythe came back into the game and teenager Michael Yianni might have done better when he drilled a low shot wide after 59 minutes.

Millar's goal of the game appeared to have put the result beyond doubt. But Godden's intervention was to change all that and leave the home side ending the game the happier of the two sides.

HYTHE TOWN: Day, Brazier (Robertson 68 mins), Thomas (Gardner 45 mins), Miller, S. Porter (King 69 mins), D. Porter, Yianni (L. Winfield 72 mins), Widnall (F. Fisk 45 mins, Daffin 72 mins), Godden (Walmsley 78 mins), Robertson (D. Fisk 26 mins), Ross (Wire 45 mins).
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Munden (Holdway 82 mins), Watkins, Larkin (D. Winfield 54 mins), Guest, Flanagan, Everitt (Chandler 44 mins), Lindsey (Munday 67 mins), Munday (Hegley 45 mins), Blackman (Ayling 45 mins), Tait (Maxwell 85 mins), Millar.




Folkestone Invicta (2) 3 Herne Bay (1) 1

RM July 22, 2003 Attendance: .
Folkestone Invicta continued their winning pre-season run when they came back from a goal down to beat Kent League side Herne Bay at the newly christened Westbourne Stadium on Tuesday night.

Simon Bryant's Herne Bay side shocked their hosts by taking the lead after nine minutes when Alex HOSSICK smashed the ball into the roof of the net from the right hand side of the box after some trickery and a cross from the left by Steve Jones.

But new signing Drew WATKINS equalised on the quarter of an hour mark when he drilled a low shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area after combining with John Ayling.

AYLING himself made it 2-1 after 34 minutes when he lobbed home at the second attempt after goalkeeper Jason Hughes had saved his initial effort on the edge of the box when James Millar put him clean through.

Invicta made seven substitutions at half time and two of those introduced were involved as the home side made it 3-1 after 61 minutes when Micheal EVERITT headed in James Gregory's low cross at the far post.

With goalkeeper Maurice Munden and striker Allan Tait both missing, Invicta gave places in the starting line up to Leigh Holdway and Lee Blackman and former St Leonards and Hastings defender Adam Flanagan had his first outing in Folkestone colours.

The home side had the first chance of the game when Ayling chipped at goalkeeper Hughes from the edge of the box after seven minutes.

Hossick's opener was soon cancelled out by Watkins. And right back Watkins combined with Ayling again down the right hand side after 20 minutes when the former Cray man's cross-shot was plucked out of the air by Hughes.

Both sides finished the game with ten men as Invicta's Millar and Herne Bay's Ben Lazlett were both asked to take a breather by the referee after 81 minutes when all the other substitutes had already made their back to the dressing rooms.

Veteran substitute striker Jon Warden headed wide for Herne Bay following a cross from the left after 84 minutes, but Invicta had done enough to make it three successive friendly wins in eight days after their opening summer reverse at home to Gillingham.

Under 16 goalkeeper Kieran Mann replaced Holdway at half time and there was also a more advanced role for Ramsgate-based trialist Gregory during the second half on the left flank.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Holdway (Mann 45 mins), Watkins (D. Winfield 45 mins), Larkin, Guest (Towse 45 mins), Flanagan, Munday (Lindsey 45 mins), Millar (Chandler 45 mins), Blackman, Ayling (Maxwell 75 mins), Dryden (Everitt 45 mins), Hegley (Gregory 45 mins).




Folkestone Invicta (1) 2 Margate (0) 1

RM July 19, 2003 Attendance: .
Folkestone Invicta enjoyed a morale boosting win over Conference side Margate in Saturday's home pre-season friendly amidst glorious sunshine at the newly christened Westbourne Stadium.

This was a good performance from Invicta as they triumphed thanks to goals from midfielder James Millar and striker James Dryden.

Margate had to wait until stoppage time before they pulled a goal back through Ian Pullman.

MILLAR opened the scoring with a low shop past goalkeeper Phil Smith after 23 minutes when Micheal Everitt's ball from the right had fallen to him following a dummy from Allan Tait.

It was 2-0 after 72 minutes when DRYDEN converted Millar's corner from the right.

Martin Chandler had forced an early save from Smith after six minutes following a move involving Tait and Millar. But Margate should have opened the scoring when new signing Che Stodhart blasted over when put through after eight minutes.

At the other end, Tait lobbed over after 11 minutes when presented with a good chance on the left hand side of the box.

But it was Margate who had the better chances as Maurice Munden produced a good save to deny Jean-Michel Sigere after 16 minutes and a saving tackle by John Guest stopped Stodhart in his tracks as the former Gravesend striker lined up to shoot two minutes later.

And it was Invicta who were to take the lead through Millar.

An Adrian Clarke shot was blocked on the half hour mark and the Margate man was close again after 43 minutes when Munden came out to smother.

The visitors started the second half strongly as a low cross from the left was turned round for a corner by Guest after 52 minutes and Jay Saunders shot over from the edge of the box a minute later.

For Invicta, Dryden was close to turning in Chandler's free kick from the left after 55 minutes.

Guest turned the ball out for another Margate corner from Gary Oates' cross after 57 minutes and was close with a header.

Centre half Guest was enjoying an outstanding game for Invicta and blocked Oates' shot on the hour in a move involving both Stodhart and Saunders.

Munden then pulled off an incredible save to keep out a Saunders shot at the far post after 61 minutes when an equaliser seemed certain.

Invicta had to wait until the 63rd minute to force their first corner of the game, but stemmed the flow when Nick Hegley forced a save from Charlie Mitten.

And Dryden's goal put the home side firmly in the driving seat.

After a drinks' break which followed Dryden's goal, substitute Lee Blackman burst down the left hand side and forced a save from Mitten after 74 minutes.

Fellow substitute Craig Maxwell then shot low at Mitten after Hegley raced down the left after 86 minutes in a move started by former Margate captain Mark Munday.

Sigere headed at reserve goalkeeper Leigh Holdaway following a corner from the left after 90 minutes and Holdaway then touched Abbott's long shot onto the crossbar for another corner.

Margate did finally find the net when PULLMAN drilled the ball home when John Keister played the ball across to the right hand side of the box.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Munden (Holdaway 87 mins), Everitt (Munday 45 mins), D. Winfield (Towse 45 mins), Larkin, Guest, Lindsey, Chandler (Maxwell 80 mins), Ayling (Millar 45 mins), Dryden, Tait (Blackman 61 mins), Millar (Hegley 29 mins).
The Margate line up against Invicta was as follows:
Team (1st half): Smith, Oates, Clarke, O'Connell, Annon, Porter, Leberl, Stadhart, Sigere, McFlynn, Saunders.
Team (2nd half): Mitten (Smith), Oates, Clarke (McFlynn 79), Abbot, Annon, Porter (O'Connell 79), Leberl, Stadhart (Sigere 71), Pulman, Beard, Saunders (Keister 58).




Folkestone Invicta (3) 3 Maidstone (0) 1

RM July 15, 2003 Attendance: .
Folkestone Invicta enjoyed a victory in the sunshine as first half goals from James Dryden (2) and John Ayling gave them victory over ambitious Kent League club Maidstone United at Cheriton Road on Tuesday night.

DRYDEN opened the scoring in the 29th minute when he followed up from close range after goalkeeper Danny Morin saved but couldn't hold Micheal Everitt's shot from the edge of the penalty area.

John AYLING made it 2-0 after 34 minutes when he laid down an early marker for Invicta's goal of the season. The 21-year-old striker showed great footwork and then sent the ball flying into the net from fully 25 yards to leave young goalkeeper Morin rooted to the spot.

DRYDEN struck again to make it 3-0 after 40 minutes when he curled the ball into the net with some aplomb after Drew Watkins played the ball in to Mark Munday.

Simon AUSTIN pulled a goal back for Maidstone after 59 minutes when he drilled the ball home after it was played across from left to right.

Austin had shot against the crossbar after ten minutes when Danny Kedwell threaded the ball through to him.

At the other end, Ayling's shot was blocked by a defender after 13 minutes in a move involving defenders James Gregory and John Guest.

Austin let fly and shot just wide from outside the box for Maidstone after 19 minutes and Scott Appleton headed just wide after the ball came in from the right a minute after Dryden had opened the scoring.

Everitt played a part in the opening goal and the 20-year-old got through and saw his shot palmed away for a corner on the half hour mark.

A Guest header was then touched just round the post for a corner by Morin when a second Invicta goal seemed likely from Drew Watkins' right wing cross.

Ayling then showed typical trickery to put Dryden through after 32 minutes, but his striking partner could only shoot low at Morin.

Ayliong and Dryden's goals before half time were though to put the game beyond Maidstone's reach.

A Dryden header was cleared off the line in the 47th minute from Watkins' corner on the left.

Invicta made four substitutions after 51 minutes and Lee Blackman was close almost immediately from a Darren Winfield cross.

Martin Chandler was also now in the thick of the action as he went close after both 58 and 63 minutes either side of Austin's goal for Maidstone.

The game was played in memory of former Invicta player Cas Taylor who died recently after a lengthy illness at the age of just 33.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Munden (Holdaway 84 mins), Watkins, Gregory (Towse 51 mins), Larkin, Guest, Lindsey (Chandler 51 mins), Everitt, Munday (Maxwell 77 mins), Ayling (Guiver 59 mins), Dryden (Blackman 51 mins), Hegley (D. Winfield 51 mins).
MAIDSTONE UNITED: Morin, Wilson, Barton, Mitchell, Austin, J. Hogg, Lacey, Kedwell, Appleton, Davey, McCabe. Subs: S. Hogg, Chaney, Rutter, O'Connel, Holliday, Sinden, King, Abbott,.

Thanks to Darren Lovell of www.maidstoneunited.co.uk for making his report available to us.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA 3 MAIDSTONE UNITED 1 DRYDEN 29,41, AYLING 35 AUSTIN 60
ATT APPROX 250
FRIENDLY TUESDAY 15TH JULY 2003
MATCH REPORT BY DARREN LOVELL FOR www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

Manager Jim Ward used another squad of 20 players at Cheriton Road. With the entire back four absent and youth keeper Danny Morrin playing the whole game, Maidstone’s starting line up included only three regular members of last season’s first team.

Invicta had a strong starting eleven (minus Alan Tait) and included Drew Watkins of Cray Wanderers at right back. On the hottest day of the year to date, the heat at kick off time was still fairly oppressive and neither side had any major dominance to mention in the opening 25 minutes. The first good opportunity of the match fell to new Stones signing Simon Austin. Danny Kedwell had held the ball up well on the left of midfield. He spotted Austin’s run and supplied a neat pass to him. Austin beat his marker, cut inside the penalty area and unleashed a powerful shot that struck the angle of post and bar. Mo Munden was left grasping at air.

Within a minute, Nick Hegley forced a fine fingertip save from young Morrin at the other end. Just before the half hour mark, the home side opened the scoring. Michael Everitt shot from the edge of the box and Morrin failed to hold onto the effort. James Dryden was first to react to the loose ball and easily slotted home.

The home Stones then took control of the game. Everitt forced another good save from Morrin after 31 minutes and from the resultant corner, Dryden had a powerful header tipped over by the young keeper. A second goal was imminent and it arrived after 35 minutes, courtesy of one of the sweetest strikes you will ever see. Jon Ayling collected the ball 30 yards from goal and let fly with a superb right-footed effort that sailed into the top left corner of the net.

Maidstone lost their shape for a short while and it was no surprise when Invicta scored a third goal. Dryden pounced on an error in the penalty area by full back Jason Barton and struck the ball across Morrin and into the net from 8 yards out. Jim Ward made plenty of changes in the second half (as did Folkestone) and subsequently the game lost some of its rhythm. Folkestone continued to have territorial advantage but Stones held firm and young defender Jon Hogg impressed.

Hegley headed against an upright after 58 minutes but Maidstone eventually pulled a goal back on the hour mark through Austin. Receiving the ball in the area, he struck a well placed shot across Munden and inside the far post. The manager will not be unduly worried by the result, as in effect the Maidstone side that played at Cheriton Road was made up mainly of reserves and trialists. The game serving mainly as a run out to gain match fitness.

Stones: Morrin, Wilson, Jason Barton, Mitchell, Austin, Jon Hogg, Lacy, Kedwell, Appleton, Davey, McCabe. Subs: Chainey, Rutter, Peter O’Connell, Eliot Bradbrook, Nick King, Michael Holliday, Abbott, Steve Hogg, Sinden.
Folkestone Invicta: Munden, Watkins, Gregory, Larkin, Guest, Lindsey, Everitt, Munday, Ayling, Dryden, Hegley.




Folkestone Invicta (0) 1 Gillingham (3) 3

RM July 9, 2003 Attendance: 700.
Folkestone Invicta began their pre-season programme of friendlies with a high profile match against Nationwide League Division One club Gillingham in front of over 700 people at Cheriton Road on Wednesday night.

Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler sent a first full team to Cheriton Road and the visitors raced into a 3-0 lead within the opening 25 minutes.

But Invicta stuck to their task and pulled a goal back through the much sought-after Allan Tait towards the end of the second half.

Invicta fans were given a first sight of new signings Nick Hegley and Mark Munday in Folkestone colours and manager Neil Cugley also gave outings to full backs James Gregory and Drew Watkins. Ramsgate-born Gregory played for Southall last season, while Watkins was a member of Cray's Kent League double-winning side of last season.

Invicta had a couple of early chances as James Dryden forced the game's first corner in the second minute and former Margate captain Munday shot just over from the edge of the penalty area after four minutes.

At the other end Maurice Munden had to touch a left wing cross from John Hills onto the crossbar after five minutes.

And the Gills opened the scoring after eight minutes when Chris HOPE headed in Danny Spiller's corner from the right.

Former Celtic, Derby, Notts County and England Under 21 international Tommy Johnson then curled a shot just over from 25 yards on the quarter of an hour mark.

It was 2-0 after 18 minutes when Johnson's overhead kick came back off the post and youth team player Matt JARVIS was there to follow up.

Defender-turned-striker Nyron NOSWORTHY then made it 3-0 after 22 minutes when he latched onto a ball over the defence and finished with confidence after shrugging off a couple of challenges.

At the other end, Tait was put clean through after 25 minutes but was denied by a Vince Bartram save in a one-on-one situation.

Watkins cleared off the line from Mark Saunders after 31 minutes and a minute later Nosworthy fired over when centre half John Guest mis-cued Spiller's right wing cross into his path.

Gillingham made wholesale changes at half time and Invicta started well after the interval as Dryden headed at goalkeeper Jason Brown from Watkins' right wing cross.

The home side made numerous substitutions of their own and created the majority of the chances as the game went on.

Home goalkeeper Munden was called into action after 61 minutes, but at the other end Tait lobbed just wide when Martin Chandler played him in down the right hand channel after 70 minutes.

But TAIT was to get his name onto the scoresheet after 78 minutes when he finished coolly after being put through by Chandler again.

Substitute Lee Blackman was put through and shot just wide after 82 minutes as Invicta threatened to reduce the deficit further.

Micheal Everitt headed over after 86 minutes and James Millar was just wide when he let fly from fully 35 yards in the 90th minute.

There were late substitute appearances for striker Roy Guiver and goalkeeper Leigh Holdaway on their returns to Invicta colours.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Munden (Holdaway 84 mins), Watkins, Gregory (Towse 57 mins), Larkin, Guest, Munday (Chandler 57 mins), Ayling (Everitt 62 mins), Lindsey (Millar 57 mins), Dryden (Blackman 76 mins), Tait (Guiver 79 mins), Hegley.
GILLINGHAM (first half): Bartram, Southall, Hills, Hope, Beckwith, Saunders, Thurgood, Spiller, Nosworthy, T. Johnson, Jarvis.
GILLINGHAM (second half): Brown, Rose, Ashby, Cox, Johnson, Hessenthaler, Crofts, Bateup, Brickell, Perpetuini, Shaw,

January to May 2003 Match Reports - click here