Braintree Town 0 Folkestone Invicta 0

RM Nov 27, 2004 Attendance: 254
Folkestone Invicta came back from Braintree with a point following a game of little incident at the Cressing Road Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they made it seven points out of nine from their last three matches.

When Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell kept out centre half Ollie Adedeji’s header from a corner on the right deep into stoppage time it was the first time either goalkeeper had been called into serious action.

At the other end, Invicta did not have one noteworthy effort on goal and did not win a corner throughout the entire game, and yet Neil Cugley’s side will have been pleased to have taken something from the game.

The recent additions of Andy Burke, Kevin Watson, Paul Sykes and Steve Norman have made Invicta more competitive again at Ryman Premier League level and more akin to their hard-to-beat early season selves.

Most recent signing Norman’s second appearance at sweeper has helped to result in two consecutive clean sheets for Invicta, with Adam Flanagan moving to the left hand side of the defence and John Guest outstanding at centre half.

The introduction of Sykes, alongside top goalscorer James Dryden, has given the Invicta side better balance, with Simon Glover attacking down the left hand side and Burke having to adopt a more central role behind the front two.

Draw specialists Braintree have now finished level in ten of their 19 league matches so far this season, including a 2-2 draw at the Westbourne Stadium back in October. The Irons have now drawn six out of their ten home league games and this latest stalemate follows a 0-0 draw at home to Northwood the previous Saturday.

Invicta’s only other goalless draw so far this season had also come in Essex on a very hot day in Billericay back in September.

Visiting Invicta supporters will probably remember Saturday’s game more for the light-hearted banter with always verbal Braintree manager George Borg after the match than for anything that took place during the game.

Gavin McGowan shot wide for the home side after 27 minutes when he ran at the Invicta defence after big centre forward Alex Revell had laid the ball to former Welling defender Billy Burgess.

Chances remained few and far between during the second half as Braintree did most of the pressing, while Invicta hoped to snatch a win on the break.

The home side introduced former Welling legend Gary Abbott on the hour and Guest made a good tackle when the ball threatened to come through to Revell after 68 minutes.

For Invicta, Burke’s through ball sent Dryden away after 72 minutes and home goalkeeper Danny Gay’s reaction as he came out to claim the ball led to a brief flare up.

Invicta were briefly reduced to ten men when Micheal Everitt needed to go off for treatment, but he returned and it was the midfielder who played the ball out dangerously close to his own goal to concede Braintree’s eighth and last corner which led to Adedeji’s last ditch chance.

A competitive game, but in no way a classic.

For the record, Bradley Quinton was making his 200th starting appearance for Braitnree.

BRAINTREE TOWN: Gay, Burgess, Jones, Adedeji, Lorraine, Quinton, McGowan (Abbott 60 mins), Porter, Revell (Martin 78 mins), Remy, Riddle. Unused subs: Baker, Good, Evans.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Sykes, Flanagan, Guest, Norman, M. Everitt, Munday, Dryden, Burke, Glover. Unused subs: Lindsey, Coleman, Walker, J. Everitt, Dyson.

Folkestone Invicta 3 Kingstonian 0

RM Nov 20, 2004 Attendance: 372
Folkestone Invicta enjoyed a second successive home Saturday win as goals from James Dryden, Paul Sykes and Mark Munday gave Neil Cugley's side a comfortable 3-0 win over once mighty Kingstonian on the manager's 48th birthday at the Westbourne Stadium.

Invicta took a stranglehold on the game with two goals just before half time but this time there was to be none of the scares of the previous weekend when a 4-0 lead over Cheshunt was pegged back to 4-3.

Kingstonian had previously come to Cheriton Road as a Conference club five years ago at the start of their successful defence of the F. A. Trophy. But this they arrived as the bottom club in the Ryman Premier League and finished the game with ten men as Giles Coke was dismissed for two bookable offences.

Invicta were boosted by the inclusion of new signing Steve Norman from Chelmsford City on defence as they were without suspended captain Scott Lindsey and the still injured Paul Lamb and Martin Chandler.

Like right back Kevin Watson, Norman had played against Invicta for Chelmsford back in August and he has also previously played for Dover Athletic, Gillingham and St Leonards.

Top goalscorer DRYDEN opened the scoring in the 38th minute with his 12th goal of the season when he picked up the ball close to the halfway line after Coke had misjudged the bounce and ran on before hitting a well-struck lob over goalkeeper Mark Zawadski.

Sykes recent arrival came just at the right time for Invicta after they had gone 11 matches without a win and the striker again led the line well to take some of the burden off Dryden. And SYKES made it 2-0 in the 44th minute when he hit the ball back across goal from an angle following a Watson corner.

Kingstonian tried to find a way back, but Norman headed off the line to deny Coke and Steve Sanders was also close to pulling a goal back.

But the K's were reduced to ten men when Coke picked up a second yellow card after an initial bad foul by Dave Timothy on Andrew Burke. The visitors' Ahmed Rifat and Phil Ruggles were also booked by referee Chris Salt from Pulborough.

And stand-in Invicta captain MUNDAY was to complete the scoring for the second successive Saturday when he headed in a Watson cross at the far post in the 79th minute.

Invicta were able to give further experience to youngsters Luke Coleman, Joe Neilson and James Everitt in the closing minutes. Neilson was making his first appearance for the first team and used his great pace to set up a late chance for fellow teenager Everitt who blasted over the crossbar.

The attendance of 372 was the highest in the Ryman Premier League on Saturday and Invicta are now nearer the top of the division than the bottom in terms of points. What a difference a fortnight makes.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Sykes (J. Everitt 85 mins), Flanagan, Guest, Norman, M. Everitt, Munday, Dryden (Coleman 87 mins), Burke (Neilson 84 mins), Glover. Unused sub: Walker.
KINGSTONIAN: Zawadski, Sanders, Alimi, Taylor (Tchancou 45 mins), Rifat, G. Coke, Collyer, Ahmad (Williams 76 mins), Ruggles, Rose (J. Coke 45 mins), Timothy. Unused subs: Muscat, Hughes.

Folkestone Invicta 4 Cheshunt 3

RM Nov 13, 2004 Attendance: 282
Folkestone Invicta's eleven game winless run came to an end when they picked up all three points with a 4-3 win over second-placed Cheshunt in an extraordinary encounter at the Westbourne Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Invicta's recently suffering supporters were in dreamland as goals from John Guest, James Dryden (2) and Mark Munday saw Neil Cugley's side raced into a 4-0 lead after just 54 minutes.

Three Cheshunt goals in the final 20 minutes took some of the gloss off Invicta's victory, although the home side would have accepted any kind of victory before kick off.

Invicta gave a starting place to new signing Paul Sykes and the extrovert striker made a positive difference to the home attack alongside top goalscorer James Dryden, with Andrew Burke and Simon Glover supplying the ammunition.

Bobby Highton shot over for Cheshunt after just 48 seconds, but the first half was to be one-way traffic in Invicta's favour as they totally overwhelmed their high-flying visitors.

Centre half GUEST opened the scoring in the sixth minute when he stabbed the ball in at the far post after Andrew Burke had sent over the game's first corner from the left.

It was 2-0 after nine minutes when DRYDEN was there to follow up and head home after Cheshunt goalkeeper Russell Ling had made a point blank save to keep out a Sykes header following a ball in from the left.

The home side were in rampant mood as Dryden volleyed over from close range when Glover burst past two players down the left hand side and played the ball into the middle.

Cheshunt captain Ryan Harris then cleared off the line from Burke on the half hour mark when Ling saved Burke's initial shot following a move involving Kevin Watson, Dryden and Sykes.

Ling sprung into action again after 41 minutes with another good save when the ball ricocheted off Dryden.

Leon Archer forced a corner from Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell right on half time, but it had been a first half to forget for the visitors.

Things got better for Invicta at the start of the second half as DRYDEN made it 3-0 after 47 minutes when he tapped the ball in at the far post following an excellent exchange of passes between Glover and Sykes.

Chris Watters burst down the left hand side and shot wide across goal for Cheshunt after 49 minutes.

But MUNDAY made it 4-0 after 50 minutes when he bundled the ball in after Dryden's shot had been blocked when Sykes touched on a Burke free kick.

There seemed to be no way back for Cheshunt and when Darren GRIEVES met Steve Magona's corner from the left to score inside the post past Kessell after 70 minutes it appeared to be no more than a consolation.

But when ARCHER sidefooted the ball home a minute later the alarm bells starting to ring for a nervous home club.

Cheshunt struck again to make it 4-3 with virtually the last kick of the game when HARRIS converted a stoppage time penalty following a handball decision against Guest.

The final scoreline probably flattered Cheshunt, although the corner count of 12-3 in their favour may suggets otherwise.

Invicta gave a first senior outing to 17-year-old substitute James Everitt who joined elder brother Micheal on the field when he replaced Glover during stoppage time.

Cheshunt's Magona was booked for a bad challenge on Burke after 52 minutes.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Sykes (Walker 71 mins), Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Munday, Dryden, Burke (Coleman 78 mins), Glover (J. Everitt 90 mins). Unused subs: Waters, Morrin.
CHESHUNT: Ling, Keepence, Magona, Harris, Highton, Wales (Williamson 55 mins), Black, Obeng (Aransibia 55 mins), Archer, Grieves, Watters. Unused subs: Adams, Spencey, Reddington.

Folkestone Invicta 1 Cray Wanderers 3 aet (1-1 at 90 minutes)

RM Nov 9, 2004 Attendance: 243
Folkestone Invicta were dumped out of the F. A. Trophy by Ryman Division One newcomers Cray Wanderers after extra time at a rainy Westbourne Stadium on Tuesday night.

It had looked like being Invicta's night when Andrew BURKE opened the scoring for the home side as late as the 87th minute with a sweet strike when he latched onto a return pass from Simon Glover after starting the move himself from close to the half way line.

Burke had been Invicta's hero on Saturday when his late equaliser saw Neil Cugley's side come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 despite being reduced to ten men.

And the 21-year-old could have made it 2-0 and made the tie safe when put through the middle after 88 minutes but was denied by a save from Cray goalkeeper Steve Northwood.

And this time it was Cray who showed great character to save the day as with play moving into stoppage time a corner from the right led to an almighty melee in the Invicta goal mouth which saw Cray substitute James Millar lay claim to the equaliser, although the ball went in off Invicta's Micheal EVERITT.

The visitors went ahead after 97 minutes when substitute Michael Power raced past John Walker down the right flank and pulled the ball back for Leigh BREMNER to sidefoot the ball home.

Bremner had been the outstanding player over the two ties and played his part in the third goal when he played the ball across from the left hand side for former Invicta player MILLAR to put the ball in at the far post to compound his former club's misery. Millar had only come on after 89 minutes and yet had played his part in Cray's first and third goals.

Neutral fans were hailing another classic cup tie, but for Invicta this was another costly defeat both in terms of finances and morale.

The home side has been forced into defensive changes with the absence of left back Paul Lamb (knee injury) and centre half Adam Flanagan (work commitments). Walker and captain Scott Lindsey filled in for them, with striker Simon Glover coming back into the starting line up just a day after returning to the country from compassionate leave in Brazil.

Invicta had made a good start as they laid siege on the Cray goal during the opening ten minutes as centre half John Guest forced a second minute save from goalkeeper Northwood following a Burke free kick on the right. And striker James Dryden was also close with two headers in the opening five minutes.

Dryden then burst through the middle and hit a low shot just wide of goal after ten minutes.

But Cray began to come back into things and a Mark Tompkins shot forced a corner from Tony Kessell after 25 minutes when Ross Lover walked through the Invicta defence.

Both goalkeepers were in excellent form as Northwood came out to deny Glover from close range when Dryden slid the ball through after 27 minutes.

Northwood then got across to save a looping Glover header a minute later, whilst Bremner headed wide at the other end after 37 minutes.

Goalkeeper Kessell was again Invicta's man of the match and did well first to turn Bremner's shot on the turn away after 48 minutes and then made another great save from Bremner four minutes later.

Invicta were themselves close when Northwood did very well to turn a Burke shot round the post for a corner after 56 minutes following a move involving home debutant Luke Gelding and Glover.

And Dryden shot just over from the left hand side of the box a minute later.

Nerves were on edge at both ends as Cray defender David Gray blocked Dryden's shot when Burke burst down the left hand side after 81 minutes and Guest cleared when Kessell saved a low shot from substitute Power a minute later.

Kessell made another save from Lover after 83 minutes, but Burke's great goal appeared to have settled the tie in Invicta's favour.

The home side went for broke during the second period of extra time when teenage striker Luke Coleman replaced right back Kevin Watson, but it was to be Cray's night.

Glover stabbed the ball wide during the final minute of extra time when the ball came across from the left hand side, but it would have been a mere consolation.

Invicta's Burke and Cray's John Myatt and Lover were all booked for kicking the ball away, whilst Invicta's Mark Munday and Kessell were both booked for dissent.

Kent League champions Cray now go on to play at home to Conference South club St Albans in the Second Round on Saturday November 27th.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson (Coleman 105 mins), Walker, Gedling, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Munday, Dryden, Burke, Glover. Unused subs: Spearpoint, J. Everitt, Dyson, Morrin.
CRAY WANDERERS: Northwood, Myatt (Millar 89 mins), S. Wood, Gray, Bower, Taylor (Dimmock 89 mins), Lover, Woolf, Tompkins (Power 68 mins), Bremner, J. Wood. Unused subs: Rawlings, Morris.

Cray Wanderers 2 Folkestone Invicta 2

RM Nov 6, 2004 Attendance: 184
Ten men Folkestone Invicta lived to fight another day as they came back from the brink of being dumped out of the F. A. Trophy in Saturday's First Round tie at Hayes Lane in Bromley.

With 15 minutes to go, Invicta trailed 2-0 against their Ryman Division One opponents and were a man short after captain Scott Lindsey was sent off in the 65th minute for two bookable offences.

But Mark Munday pulled a goal back after 75 minutes and Andrew Burke then saved the day five minutes later to turn the tie in its head.

Cray's John Myatt was sent off for a second yellow card as he raced across to protest to an assistant referee about Burke's equaliser as both sides finished the game with ten men.

Invicta then looked the more likely winners for the final ten minutes until Cray had three chances to win the tie during six minutes of stoppage time.

First a Matt Woolf free kick flew across the Invicta goal, Ross Lover was then the next to go close and finally visiting goalkeeper Tony Kessell kept his side in the competition with a last-ditch save on the line to deny Leigh Bremner during an almighty scramble in the Invicta penalty area following a corner.

The game had sprung to life during the second half as Invicta striker James Dryden headed back across goal against the post in the 47th minute when Burke raced down to the left hand byeline and sent over an inviting hanging cross to the far post.

But Cray opened the scoring after 48 minutes when WOOLF volleyed in a Sam Wood free kick from close to the half way line.

Lindsey had been booked after 14 minutes for raising his foot at Bremner and was dismissed for a heavy challenge after 64 minutes which ended James Taylor's involvement in the game.

Things got worse for Invicta after 72 minutes when a mix up between Kessell and Micheal Everitt saw a free kick go straight to Cray's BREMNER who returned the ball with interest as he lobbed Kessell from fully 40 yards to find the net and make it 2-0.

Cray could have been forgiven for thinking that the tie was all but over. But Invicta were thrown a lifeline three minutes later when Luke Gedling's shot was saved by home goalkeeper Steve Northwood, only for MUNDAY to tap the ball in at the far post. Gedling was making his Invicra debut after joining the club from Worthing.

It was now all happening as Dryden celebrated the goal by thrusting his head at Cray substitute Mark Hammond who had seconds earlier caught the striker in the face with his arm.

Dryden was booked but soon played a part in Invicta's equaliser after 80 minutes when he played the ball through to recent signing BURKE who opened his account for the club with a cool finish to make it 2-2.

Cray defender Myatt overstepped the mark with his protests for offside and was sent off after having earlier been booked for a trip on Burke after 24 minutes.

The 'home' side had taken the game to Invicta from the start as Mark Tompkins didn't get enough power on his header when Sam Wood's cross from the left presented him with the game's first chance in the third minute.

A low free kick from Woolf was saved by Kessell after four minutes, whilst at the other end Everitt's shot was saved at close range by Northwood when Invicta seemed set to score following a move involving Dryden.

Kessell got down to save a well-struck free kick from Sam Wood after ten minutes and Kessell pushed the ball round the post from Woolf after 17 minutes when Cray spread the ball from right to left and Bremner laid the ball off.

Dryden shot over on the turn after 22 minutes following a John Guest free kick, but Dryden was too often an isolated figure in the Invicta attack in contrast to Cray's attacking threat of Jamie Wood just behind Bremner and Tompkins.

One-time Cray goalkeeper Kessell was the busier of the two goalkeepers as he stretched to touch away a good strike from Myatt after 28 minutes when Sam Wood played the ball in to Lover and the ball was played back to the full back.

But Northwood came to Cray's rescue in the 45th minute when he did very well to keep out a Dryden piledriver when the striker got up to win a header and combined well with Burke.

Second half chances saw Everitt blast the ball at Northwood when Dryden headed down a Paul Lamb cross after 58 minutes and Kessell touched a Tompkins free kick round the post in the 64th minute after Guest had been booked for a foul on the left.

There were also bookings for Cray's Lover (foul after 47 minutes) and Jamie Wood (encroachment at a free kick after 51 minutes).

CRAY WANDERERS: Northwood, Myatt, S. Wood, Gray, Bower, Taylor (Dimmock 69 mins), Lover, Woolf, J. Wood (Hammond 73 mins), Bremner, Tompkins. Unused subs: Millar, Rawlings, Browning.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Munday, Dryden, Burke, Gedling. Unused subs: Coleman, J. Everitt, Dyson.

Heybridge Swifts 2 Folkestone Invicta 0

RM Oct 30, 2004 Attendance: 195
Folkestone Invicta's miserable run continued when they went down to two second half goals away to Heybridge Swifts at Scraley Road in Essex on Saturday afternoon.

Invicta have now slipped alarmingly to just one place outside the Ryman Premier League relegation zone after taking just three points out of their last possible 24 and going nine matches without a win in all competitions.

Missing Simon Glover (compassionate grounds) and Martin Chandler (knee injury), Invicta manager gave debuts to right back Kevin Watson and right midfielder Victor Fuyanuwo.

Watson has come to the club from Welling United, having played for Chelmsford City against Invicta in the second game of the season back in August. A former Charlton Athletic schoolboy, youth and reserve team defender, Watson enjoyed three highly successful seasons with Team Bath, scoring 20 goals when they won the Screwfix Direct Western League Premier Division in 2002/03. He has been capped for both the England Students and British Universities teams

Fuyanuwo has previously been on the books of both Tottenham and Sheffield United and also had a spell in Finland. He played in the Ryman League for Waltham Forest last season but is lacking in match fitness after three months out of the game.

This game was to follow a familiar pattern for Invicta as they looked more than capable of getting a result during the early exchanges but again lacked a cutting edge to put any kind of distance between themselves and their hosts.

Recent signing Andrew Burke provided a useful outlet for Inivcta on the left hand side of midfield and his run set up the visitors' best chance of the game during the second half which was squandered by striker James Dryden who shot over the bar when it seemed easier to score with the sides still level at 0-0.

Heybridge took full advantage of that let off as top goalscorer Carl GRIFFITHS scored the all-important first goal for the home side in the 67th minute when he headed in powerfully following a telling run and quality right wing cross from Dwayne Edwards.

Edwards was then himself close but was denied by a great save from goalkeeper Tony Kessell.

But James ROBINSON made it 2-0 after 76 minutes when he stabbed the ball past Kessell after a move involving Edwards had seen his shot cleared off the line in a move also involving Scott Forbes.

Invicta had enjoyed the better of the first half exchanges as debutant Watson's free kick was saved by home goalkeeper Darren Placid, new signing Forbes cleared off the line for Heybridge from a glancing Dryden header following a Paul Lamb corner and Micheal Everitt poked a shot against the post.

For Heybridge, Edwards was close during the first half when presented with a chance by Robinson.

Dryden had a late chance to pull a goal back for Invicta but fired wide to make it another frustrating afternoon for the Folkestone side who desperately need a win from somewhere.

HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS: Placid, Shinn, Barber, Kimble, Blackwell, S. Forbes, Edwards, Pollard, Griffiths, Robinson (Marks), B. Forbes (E. Artun).
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, Fuyanuwo (Coleman 60 mins), Munday, Dryden, Everitt, Burke (Walker 75 mins). Unused sub: Dyson.

Folkestone Invicta 1 Worthing 2

RM Oct 23, 2004 Attendance: 317
Folkestone Invicta suffered another disappointing home defeat when they went down 2-1 at home to Worthing at a wet Westbourne Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Liam Collins opened and closed the scoring for the visitors, with James Dryden bringing Invicta level right on half time.

This was a result which Invicta could certainly have done without as the statistics are starting to make difficult reading. Invicta have now taken just three points out of their last possible 21 and have not won for eight games in all competitions.

Worthing got off to the perfect start on Saturday as they opened the scoring within 90 seconds courtesy of a perfectly executed delicate chip from COLLINS when a ball over the defence put him in behind centre half John Guest.

The Sussex club recently signed Collins from Kingstonian, with the club's top goalscorer Phil Ruggles going in the opposite direction and he made an immediate impact on this game.

It could have been worse for Invicta when Worthing striker Matt Russell put the ball into the net a minute later, but this time the 'goal' was ruled out for offside.

The visitors might have scored again after 18 minutes as Mark Pulling was wide with a glancing header when Collins whipped the ball in from the right after Russell had played the ball out wide.

Invicta were twice close themselves after 28 minutes when Dryden volleyed over when Simon Glover nodded down Paul Lamb's ball in from the left and Glover himself then capitalised on centre half Adam Flanagan's ball over the defence but goalkeeper Mark Ormerod came out to smother the shot.

The home side were level in the 45th minute when DRYDEN nodded Lamb's corner from the right in with a slight touch at the near post.

Goalkeeper Tony Kessell had to come out early in the second half when he saved with his feet from Russell after 48 minutes when Mark Knee touched the ball through.

Another Collins shot flew just past the far post after 65 minutes when substitute Matt Geard's ball played him in down the right hand side.

The two players were involved again for Worthing's winning goal after 78 minutes when a ball down the middle found Geard who sent COLLINS away to slot the ball into the net for his second goal of the game.

Kessell had to race out and save with his feet from Geard after 81 minutes when Stewart Holmes touched on a cross from the right.

Collins turned provider after 87 minutes when he put Tom Smith through, but the substitute's chip was deflected away for a corner.

Invicta were denied a stoppage time penalty when a free kick was awarded for a push on Dryden just outside the area when the offence appeared to have taken place inside the box. Worthing's Pullan was booked for questioning the award of a foul, whilst Invicta's Martin Chandler was also cautioned for his protests that it had taken place inside the area.

Already in referee Lee Venemore's notebook were Scott Lindsey (late challenge on Collins after 52 minutes) and Andrew Burke (late tackle on Jay Head after 67 minutes) and Worthing's Russell (late challenge on Flanagan after 61 minutes) and Geard (kicking the ball away after 70 minutes).

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, Chandler, Munday, Dryden, Burke, Glover. Unused subs: Coleman, Walker, Spearpoint, Dyson, Morrin.
WORTHING: Ormerod, Lutwyche, Knee, Pullan, Lamont, Head, Collins, Rogers, Russell (Smith 83 mins), Holmes, Pulling (Geard 64 mins). Unused sub: Dicker.

Slough 1 Folkestone Invicta 1

RM Oct 20, 2004 Attendance: 233
A 75th minute equaliser from Mark Munday gave Folkestone Invicta a precious point as they came back from Windsor with a creditable 1-1 draw away to in-form Slough on Wednesday night.

MUNDAY had been pushed forward to add height and physical presence to the Invicta front line after spirits had been dampened by two consecutive defeats during which the Folkestone side had failed to score.

33-year-old Munday had played in attack during his Kent League days with Herne Bay and scored 11 goals from midfield for Invicta last season.

The former Margate stalwart made it 1-1 when he found the net following a goal mouth melee after a Drew Watkins corner from the left was met by an Adam Flanagan header and a subsequent Invicta shot was cleared off the line.

The vital corner had come about when Slough defender Josias Carbon had ed his clearance against his own crossbar.

The goal was the culmination of a spirited Invicta fightback after Slough had created the vast majority of the chances and took the lead after 62 minutes through striker Matt Seedel.

Invicta welcomed Flanagan back into the heart of their defence and made a bright enough early start.

But the 'home' side soon began to create chances as Ryan Spencer's shot from the edge of the area was charged down after 12 minutes when Alex Haddow's cross from the left to Glen Harris gave Seedel a chance from close range but Invicta managed to get bodies in the way.

Another low cross from Haddow on the quarter of an hour mark gave Slough another good chance from close range but goalkeeper Tony Kessell did very well to claw Seedel's shot away at the near post.

Carbon cut in from the right and curled a shot just over the Invicta crossbar after 18minutes and a Harris shot was charged down by Flanagan after 20 minutes.

Seedel's shot then flew just in front of Carbon and narrowly past the Invicta post when the tricky Harris got through the middle in the 21st minute and Haddow broke down the left and fired into the side netting after 25 minutes.

Haddow shot agonisingly wide of the far post after 32 minutes when played in down the left hand side of the box and Spencer shot wide in the middle with another good chance for Slough a minute later.

Invicta were under the cosh but went close themselves after 35 minutes when Simon Glover forced a corner from goalkeeper Jake Whincup when James Dryden nodded on a powerful headed clearance from Flanagan.

Recent games have seen Invicta rue missed chances, but this time it was their opponents who went in at half time wondering just quite how they had not scored.

Munday headed over for Invicta after 50 minutes when Andrew Burke played the ball in from the left.

But Slough were close again after 53 minutes when Carbon's glancing header flew just wide of the far post from Harris' right wing cross.

Seedel's header after 61 minutes forced a great save from Kessell and Haddow hit the rebound against the side of the far post.

And Slough's pressure finally told when SEEDEL opened the scoring after 62 minutes when the ball was played back to him in the box.

The goal only served to spark life into Invicta and Glover headed just wide when Burke played another dangerous ball in from the left after 65 minutes.

A fierce 25-yard strike from Dryden struck the Slough post and went wide when the striker collected the ball from Glover.

And Michael Murphy took the ball right off Dryden's head when Burke supplied another telling cross from the left a minute later.

Invicta looked the more likely winners after Munday's equaliser and Dryden fired a low shot just wide from the edge of the box after 77 minutes as Invicta were now in the ascendancy.

But there was a last-gasp scare when Slough substitute Matt Murphy headed wide with the last touch of the game following a move down the right hand side started by Carbon.

SLOUGH: Whincup, Carbon, Michael Murphy, Daly, Saulsbury, Haddow, Wilkinson, Harris (Hakki 68 mins), Spencer (Miller 84 mins), Seedel (Matt Murphy 68 mins), Metcalfe. Unused sub: Moller, Parkin.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watkins, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, Everitt, Munday, Dryden, Everitt, Glover. Unused subs: Chandler, Coleman, Walker, Morrin.

Northwood 3 Folkestone Invicta 0

RM Oct 16, 2004 Attendance:
Folkestone Invicta suffered their heaviest defeat of the season so far when they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Northwood in the Ryman Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

This was an afternoon to forget for an Invicta side who ended the game well beaten as they failed to capitalise on a bright start.

Invicta went into the game with goalkeeper Tony Kessell back after five games out with injury, but were without centre half Adam Flanagan on compassionate grounds as he was visiting his seriously ill grandfather in Ireland.

Drew Watkins moved into the centre of defence in Flanagan's absence but himself limped off after 22 minutes when the game was delayed for ten minutes as an injured linesman had to be replaced.

But Invicta's problems stemmed mainly from their failure to put something tangible on the board when they had early chances, something which had cost them dear in their midweek home defeat against Hendon.

As it was, goals from Dean Clark (2) and Steve Hale gave the home side a comfortable victory.

Invicta started well enough as Simon Glover ran at the home defence and into the box after six minutes when he collected a throw from Andrew Burke on the left and shot wide across goal.

Mark Munday then headed over at the far post after ten minutes when Micheal Everitt played the ball in from the right.

But Northwood opened the scoring after 19 minutes when CLARK took Steve Dell's cross from the right off Hale's foot and fired a low shot into the far corner of the net.

Fergus Moore's shot then hit team mate Hale on the head and flew over the Invicta crossbar following a corner on the right after 22 minutes.

Following the ten-minute delay, Munday volleyed at goalkeeper Rob Bullivant when Martin Chandler and James Dryden both got touches to Everitt's ball in and Chandler stabbed the ball wide on his 150th starting appearance for the club in a move also involving Burke, Paul Lamb and Glover.

Dryden won the ball back in the box and shot at goalkeeper Bullivant and a Glover shot was blocked by a defender when Bullivant touched away a Lamb free kick from the right.

But Kessell had to come out and make a great save with his legs following a superb turn by striker Kevin Chakaodza after a low free kick.

And Northwood were given the boost of a second goal just before half time when Clark put Chakaodza through and the ball ricocheted into the path of HALE whose shot flew into the back of the net in his first home appearance since re-joining the Middlesex club for a third spell.

This Invicta side has dug itself back from such situations in the past and huffed and puffed at the start of the second half without making any real in-roads.

Chakaodza shot over with the outside of his boot from the edge of the box after 51 minutes.

And the impressive CLARK made it 3-0 when he lobbed the ball back with interest and found the back of the net from 25 yards for his second goal of the game after 62 minutes when Kessell had to race out to clear when a ball over the defence sent Chakaodza away again.

With the game now effectively over as a contest the closing stages developed into something of a duel between Clark and Kessell as the classy Northwood player went in search of a hat-trick.

Kessell saved when Clark skipped past two challenges and tried to pick his spot after 70 minutes and Kessell denied Clark again two minutes later when Chakaodza played him in.

The nearest Invicta came to a goal was when Dryden's header was cleared off the line from a Chandler corner on the left after 76 minutes.

But it could have got even worse for Invicta as Chakaodza forced his way through after 87 minutes but Kessell saved and Clark couldn't quite force the ball home from close range.

And Kessell saved with his feet to deny Clark again following a ball in from the left after 90 minutes.

Invicta centre half John Guest was the game's only booking.

NORTHWOOD: Bullivant, Dell (Hart 30 mins), Dennison, Smith, Evans, J. Moore, F. Moore, Clark, Hale (Finn 78 mins), Chakaodza, Morton (Yeoman 66 mins). Unused sub: Sylvester.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watkins (Walker 22 mins), Lamb, Burke (Coleman 75 mins), Guest, Lindsey, Chandler, Munday, Dryden, Everitt, Glover. Unused subs: Spearpoint, Dyson, Morrin.

Folkestone Invicta 0 Hendon 1

RM Oct 12, 2004 Attendance: 328
Folkestone Invicta suffered a disappointing 1-0 home defeat against Hendon on Tuesday night as they paid the price for not taking their first half chances and went down to a 56th minute goal from John Frendo as the visitors improved after the interval.

Invicta made just one change to Saturday's line up with Martin Chandler coming in for Micheal Everitt (tendonitis) and the home side almost got off to a flying start as Mark Munday shot against the post after just four minutes when new boy Andrew Burke played the ball in from the left.

And Simon Glover was unable to convert when striking partner James Dryden played a low ball across from the left after ten minutes.

Hendon had a chance themselves when home goalkeeper Maurice Munden palmed away a Frendo shot after 16 minutes.

But Invicta were close again two minutes later when Dryden was unable to walk the ball around big goalkeeper Dave King.

A Munday header was headed off the line by Danny Julienne when Glover played the ball in after 28 minutes as Invicta remained in the ascendancy.

At the other end, Mark Nicholls shot over after 31 minutes when Mark Burgess played the ball over from the left to Julienne at the far post.

Invicta were agonisingly close after 38 minutes when Glover's shot rolled towards the goal but was cleared by Dave Nolan from close to the line.

Chandler and Glover both had half chances as the ball still just wouldn't fall for Invicta after 47 minutes.

But Hendon were to enjoy the better of the second half and Frendo's shot was palmed away by Munden when the striker was out through with the visitors' best chance thus far after 51 minutes.

Invicta responded and Glover headed across goal from Dryden's left wing cross after 52 minutes.

The all-important goal came after 55 minutes when an Invicta attack broke down and FRENDO was put through to blast the ball into the right hand corner of the net.

Captain Scott Linsey shot at goalkeeper King from outside the penalty area as Invicta sought an instant reply.

The game now opened up as Dave Sargent's shot from the right deflected for a Hendon corner after 59 minutes and Richard McDonagh's shot was charged down inside the Invicta box.

For Invicta, Glover shot wide across goal when Chandler put him through after 63 minutes.

Munden touched over a Julienne free kick from the edge of the penalty area after 68 minutes when Adam Flanagan fouled McDonagh and the visitors could have increased their lead a minute later when McDonagh raced down the left hand side but pulled the ball back behind him in-coming team mates after Munden had cleared the ball straight to him.

There were chances at both ends after 71 minutes as Invicta centre half John Guest headed over a Drew Watkins free kick when Glover was fouled down the left hand side of the box and Julienne again forced a save from Munden.

King saved a Watkins free kick when handball was given against Sargent after 73 minutes, while Munden pushed a McDonagh shot from the left hand side away when he received a crossfield ball from Sargent after 81 minutes.

Chandler forced a corner with a close range header deep into stoppage time following a long Dryden throw from the left and a Dryden free kick was saved by King during the seventh minute of time added on after Dryden had himself been crudely checked on the edge of the box.

But this time there was to be no last-ditch get-out clause for an Invicta side which still has the best defensive record in the league but which on this occasion was found wanting at the other end.

There were bookings for home centre halves Guest and Flanagan and for Hendon's Martin Vrhovski and Nicholls, both late in the game.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Munden, Watkins, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, Chandler, Munday (Coleman 82 mins), Dryden, Burke, Glover. Unused subs: Everitt, Walker, Dyson, Kessell.
HENDON: King, Nolan, M. Burgess, Carter, Street, Butler, McDonagh (Vrhovski 84 mins), Julienne, Frendo (Bangura 90 mins), Nicholls, Sargent. Unused subs: Robinson, Hunt, J. Burgess.

Folkestone Invicta 2 Braintree Town 2

RM Oct 9, 2004 Attendance: 220
A stoppage time equaliser from James Dryden saved the day for Folkestone Invicta as they took a point from Saturday's encounter with Braintree Town at the Westbourne Stadium.

DRYDEN headed in a deep right wing cross from Drew Watkins to send home supporters away happy when substitute Martin Chandler played the ball out to the flank.

Striker Dryden had earlier opened the scoring after 24 minutes, but Braintree hit back and went 2-1 up during the second half despite being reduced to ten men when left back Mark Jones was sent off for dissent just before half time.

Dryden's last gasp equaliser was a real tonic for an Invicta side playing its fourth game in eight days and which had suffered the huge disappointment of going out of the F. A. Cup on penalties against Harrow Borough on Tuesday night.

Invicta gave a debut to new signing Andrew Burke, a 21-year-old former Tottenham apprentice and Republic of Ireland youth international and made a determined start amid blustery conditions.

Braintree had the game's first real chance after 20 minutes when striker James Baker shot over following a good turn on the edge of the penalty area.

But Invicta opened the scoring after 24 minutes when Burke forced the game's first corner on the left hand side. Braintree goalkeeper Danny Guy saved a powerful John Guest header from Watkins' ball in, but DRYDEN was there to find the net from close range.

Braintree lost Bradley Quinton to injury after 39 minutes, but were level a minute later when Louis RIDDLE's cross-shot from the left hand side sailed into the far corner of the net after taking a deflection.

The first half drama did not end there as Braintree's Jones was penalised for an innocuous-looking challenge on Dryden and received a straight red card for his protests.

Ten-men Braintree could even have gone in ahead at half time as Gavin McGowan found himself in space down the left hand side but shot over when he cut inside right on the interval.

The visitors were to get better after the interval but had Riddle booked for diving when he went down under challenge from Watkins after 51 minutes.

Invicta's Paul Lamb was booked after 56 minutes for pulling McGowan's shirt, with the Braintree player also going into the referee's notebook for having too much to say.

The home side was struggling to make its numerical advantage count and defender John Walker replaced midfielder Mark Munday after 64 minutes to allow full backs Lamb and Watkins to get forward in wide positions.

Invicta centre half Adam Flanagan had to clear from close to the line when the ball was played across from the right after 65 minutes. And the visitors went ahead when Billy BURGESS fired home after 66 minutes when substitute Steve Sodje had a charged down as the ball bobbled around the Invicta goalmouth following a corner.

Chandler replaced Scott Lindsey after 70 minutes, with Watkins donning the captain's armband and striker Luke Coleman replaced Burke as Invicta went for broke after 75 minutes.

A Dryden shot on the turn was saved by Gay after 81 minutes and Invicta's chance seemed to have gone when Coleman scooped his shot over the crossbar following a Dryden run when Flanagan and Walker worked the ball out of defence after 86 minutes.

But Dryden's last-ditch equaliser was to change the mood at the Westbourne Stadium.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Munden, Watkins, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey (Chandler 70 mins), Burke (Coleman 75 mins), Munday (Walker 64 mins), Dryden, Everitt, Glover. Unused subs: Dyson, Kessell.
BRAINTREE TOWN: Gay, Burgess, Jones, Adedeji, Lorraine, Quinton (Martin 39 mins), McGowan, Good, Evans, Baker (Sodje 45 mins), Riddle. Unused subs: Porter, Abbott, Mayward.

Folkestone Invicta 0 Gillingham 4

RM Oct 7, 2004 Attendance:
Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley and his immediate predecessor and former Gills defender Denis Hunt were the beneficiaries as Gillingham sent a first team squad to the Westbourne Stadium for Thursday night's testimonial game.

There was added interest on the Gillingham side as new assistant manager John Gorman took a first look at his new squad.

Invicta were doing their best to get the bitter disappointment of Tuesday night's penalty shoot out defeat in the F. A. Cup out of their system and were bolstered by the inclusion of guest players such as goalkeeper Danny Skinner from Welling United, defender Anthony Browne and midfielders Matt Bower and Anthony Hogg.

Also starting for the Folkestone side was midfielder Andrew Burke, a former Tottenham apprentice at the same time as former Invicta striker Allan Tait who himself attended the match.

Teenagers Luke Coleman, Oliver Waters, Shane Spearpoint, Mark Rook and James Everitt were also given experience during the second half of competing against Coca Cola Championship opposition.

Gillingham emerged as comfortable winners of the game itself thanks to a strong first half performance which heralded three goals.

Andrew CROFTS opened the scoring in the seventh minute when he fired home after Leon Johnson's ball in from the left had been nodded down by Darius Henderson.

Crofts was close again after 18 minutes as Gillingham enjoyed territorial advantage.

On-loan West Ham midfielder Adam NOWLAND made it 2-0 with a great strike when he let fly from 25 yards in the 26th minute.

Youngster Matt JARVIS struck from close range to make it 3-0 after 39 minutes to increase the lead and score at the Westbourne Stadium for the third time in succession after goals in pre-season friendlies during the past two summers.

Gillingham had further chances before half time as player-manager Andy Hessenthaler shot over from the edge of the box after 41 minutes and Skinner made a great close range save from Danny Spiller when the ball was pulled back from the right hand side a minute later.

Both sides made wholesale changes during the second half, with the Gills' substitutes including youngster Jon Wallis who had played some pre-season games for Invicta and one-time Invicta manager Darren Hare, now youth team manager at the Priestfield Stadium.

Invicta's youngsters gave a good account of themselves during the second half and Coleman came desperately close to pulling a goal back when his shot came back off the inside of the post after 51 minutes. Waters also later volleyed over.

At the other end, Skinner saved well with his feet when Gillingham worked their way through the middle after 70 minutes and the visitors hit the crossbar from the left hand side after 74 minutes.

Youth team player Darren MARSDEN completed the scoring after 76 minutes when he took the ball on through the middle and his shot found the net via the post.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Skinner, Browne, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Bower, Dryden, Glover, Burke. Subs (all used): Chandler, Coleman, Hogg, Munday, Towse, Walker, Watkins, Rook, Spearpoint, Waters, J. Everitt.
GILLINGHAM: Banks (Bossu 45 mins), Southall (Marsden 63 mins), Ludovic Dje (trialist), Leon Johnson, Hope (Beckwith 45 mins), Spiller (Wallis 45 mins), Nowland (Rose 45 mins), Crofts (Hare 70 mins), Henderson (Edusei 63 mins), Hessenthaler (Carew 63 mins), Jarvis (Bodkin 63 mins).

Folkestone Invicta 1 Harrow Boro 1 Harrow won 4-5 on pens

RM Oct 5, 2004 Attendance: 315
Folkestone Invicta suffered penalty shoot out heartache for the second successive season as they went out of the F. A. Cup on sudden death in Tuesday night's 2nd Qualifying Round replay against Harrow Borough.

With an inviting 3rd Qualifying Round at home to Flackwell Heath the prize for the winners, this was a costly defeat for Invicta both in financial terms and potentially for the momentum of their season.

As at Welling in last season's 3rd Qualifying Round shoot out exit, Mark Munday was the unfortunate Invicta man to miss the decisive spot kick. Munday's kick was kept out by Harrow goalkeeper Keita Karamoko who got down to his right to become the visitors' hero.

The Mali international goalkeeper had saved Scott Lindsey's initial penalty for Invicta, but veteran Maurice Munden got the Folkestone side back into it when he saved Jesper Nielsen's third penalty for Harrow.

Clinton Lamb, Perry Norman, Marcus Campbell, Dean Marney and Abduai Yoki were all successful from the spot for Harrow, while Micheal Everitt, Paul Lamb, Simon Glover and Adam Flanagan all converted their kicks for Invicta.

Munday has a good F. A. Cup pedigree having played for Gravesend away to Aston Villa in the Third Round during the 1995-96 season and putting Margate ahead in their televised First Round tie at home to Fulham during the 1997-98 season. But the past two seasons have been cruel on the 33-year-old who was again brave enough to put himself in the position to miss.

In truth Invicta had played nowhere near as well as they had done against Welling last season and will see this as a missed opportunity for a morale-boosting cup run.

Roy Jones had given Harrow the lead in the 12th minute, but Everitt brought Invicta level after 52 minutes.

Invicta went into the game without Martin Chandler (knee injury) and Drew Watkins (working overseas) and brought 16-year-old striker Luke Coleman in for his first start.

Harrow were themselves missing three players from the first game, including striker Fabio Valenti, but took the game to Invicta with wingers Yoki and Howard Newton supplying strikers Jones and Brian Haule.

The visitors were close as early as the third minute when Haule was put through down the middle and forced the game's first corner from close range when put under pressure by the home defence.

And JONES opened the scoring when he sidefooted the ball in at the far post after the ball had come across the face of the Invicta goal from the right hand side.

Harrow were creating all the chances as Newton headed wide when the ball came in from the right after 16 minutes and Jones shot just over after 21 minutes when Haule played the ball across to him in a similar move to that which produced the goal.

Harrow nearly scored again after 33 minutes when a low cross from Newton on the right was touched wide by Yoki from close range.

Yoki took the ball on through the middle and let fly from outside the penalty area after 39 minutes as Harrow continued to dictate the play.

Haule was wide from close range after 49 minutes when Harrow had a good chance to increase their lead when Yoki played the ball across from the left to Newton on the right.

But Invicta did get better as the game went on and equalised when EVERITT thumped the ball home with the home side's first real effort on goal after captain Lindsey played the ball back in when his initial shot had been charged down.

Harrow responded as captain Dean Marney headed against the post from Newton's corner on the right after 56 minutes and the dangerous Yoki raced past both John Walker and John Guest down the left after 61 minutes but skied his shot over the crossbar.

Lamb was leading the Invicta charge and Glover headed at goalkeeper Karamoko after 67 minutes.

The game was opening up and the 77th minute saw chances at both ends as James Dryden headed inches wide from a Lamb cross at one end and Yoki's shot from the left flashed inches wide of the far post at the other.

Yoki was close to heading in from close range after 77 minutes when Newton put the ball in from the right and Guest headed away after 85 minutes when Newton found himself in plenty of space down the right hand side and put the ball across.

But Invicta nearly stole the tie when a Coleman header was headed off the line at the far post after 87 minutes following a corner on the left and Coleman shot wide when a quick Lamb free kick found him unmarked on the left after 90 minutes.

Extra time produced few real chances of note for either side before the spot kick drama at the Cheriton Road settled the issue.

Invicta's small squad meant that 17-year-old James Everitt was given a place on the substitutes' bench for the first time on a night when elder brother Micheal scored both during normal play and the penalty shoot out.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Munden, Walker, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, Coleman, Munday, Dryden, M. Everitt, Glover. Unused subs: J. Everitt, Spearpoint, Dyson, Waters, Morrin.
HARROW BOROUGH: Karamoko, Nielsen, Sterry, Walters, Norman, Marney, Newton (Lamb 90 mins), Dogbe, Haule (Campbell 93 mins), Jones (Hamer 93 mins), Yoki. Unused subs: Killick, Church.

Harrow Borough 2 Folkestone Invicta 2

RM Oct 2, 2004 Attendance: 204
Left back Paul Lamb was Folkestone Invicta's saviour for the second successive Saturday as his 71st minute equaliser kept Neil Cugley's side in the F. A Cup after they had trailed 2-0 at half time in their 2nd Qualifying Round tie at a wet Earlsmead.

Striker James Dryden had thrown Invicta a lifeline when he pulled a goal back after 63 minutes as the visitors turned the game around after the interval

The first half had been a thoroughly miserable affair for Invicta as they trailed to goals from Steve Dogbe and Fabio Valenti and seemed to be on their way to a second disappointing defeat of the season at Harrow.

The players were greeted with a pre-match downpour and Invicta had a difficult start as midfielder Martin Chandler limped off with a knee injury after just ten minutes.

The visitors were at sixes and sevens as Abduai Yoki raced down the left wing after 13 minutes but Valenti's shot was deflected off centre half Adam Flanagan for a corner when the home side seemed set to open the scoring.

At the other end, Invicta's best moment of the first half came after 16 minutes when substitute John Walker let fly from the edge of the box and home goalkeeper Keita Karamoko touched the ball over the crossbar for Invicta's first corner of the game.

Harrow struck first after 19 minutes and it was a special goal as midfielder DOGBE hit a sweetly-struck screamer from 25 yards which flew into the left hand corner of the net after a corner had from the left had come back out to him.

Yoki then raced down the left again and hit a low shot just wide of the Invicta post two minutes later.

As the rain continued to pour down, Harrow were in the ascendancy and Invicta centre half John Guest had to clear Daniel Dyer's dangerous ball in from the right in a move started by Valenti after 31 minutes.

Things got worse for Invicta as they went 2-0 down after 34 minutes when Harrow captain Dean Marney's ball out of defence sailed over Guest to leave the sharp VALENTI clear to run on and slot the ball past Maurice Munden.

But Invicta were to dig deep and show their character during the final half hour.

The third goal in the game was always going to be crucial and Invicta gave themselves hope when DRYDEN struck from close range after Guest had headed on a Lamb corner from the right after 63 minutes.

All the action was now at the Harrow end and Karamoko touched the ball over for a corner when Lamb let fly from 25 yards after 65 minutes.

That one turned out just to be LAMB testing his range as he came up trumps after 70 minutes when Dryden played the bal out to him on the left hand side of the box and the full back hit a well struck shot across goal into the far corner of the net to spark more joyous celebrations.

Even the sun started to make an appearance.

There were bookings for Invicta's Micheal Everitt (challenge on Dogbe after 54 minutes) and captain Scott Lindsey (challenge on Wayne Walters after 76 minutes).

Drew Watkins made his 50th starting appearance for Invicta but will miss the replay as he is working overseas.

HARROW BOROUGH: Karamoko, Nielsen, Lopez, Walters, Norman, Marney, Dyer (Newton 64 mins), Dogbe, Haule, Valenti, Yoki. Unused subs: Lamb, Hamer, Campbell, Sterry.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Munden, Watkins, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, Chandler (Walker 10 mins), Munday, Dryden, Everitt, Glover. Unused subs: Coleman, Spearpoint, Dyson, Morrin.

Eastleigh 1 Folkestone Invicta 1

RM Sep 25, 2004 Attendance: 214 Photos: Clive Arnold
A stunning last gasp strike from Paul Lamb saved the day for Folkestone Invicta as they gained a point from Saturday's visit to a wet Sparshatts Stadium.

LAMB hit an absolute screamer into the bottom right hand corner of the net when a Drew Watkins free kick came back out to him just outside the penalty area in the third minute of stoppage time.

Eastleigh had time to kick off before referee Bernard Baker from Andover blew for full time.

31-year-old left back Lamb could not have struck his dramatic late equaliser any better and it was all the more remarkable as it came with the right leg he normally uses for standing on. The sensational strike sparked joyous celebrations amongst the Invicta players and sent them off in good spirits for a team-bonding night out in nearby Southampton.

It had looked as though Eastleigh were heading for a third successive win over Invicta thanks to a 30th minute header from centre forward James Stokoe.

Invicta had welcomed back legendary 40-year-old goalkeeper Maurice Munden in place of the injured Tony Kessell, with Watkins moving into the heart of the defence in place of the suspended John Guest, with John Walker coming in at right back.

Neil Cugley's side made an encouraging start amidst heavy rain and Eastleigh goalkeeper Colin Matthews did well to get down to his right and touch a low Micheal Everitt shot round the post for the game's first corner after 12 minutes when Simon Glover cut in from the left after a move started by Everitt himself on his 100th starting appearance for his hometown club.

Matthews then pushed a deflected Glover shot over the crossbar after 20 minutes when a good ball from Walker presented the visitors with a good chance down the right.

At the other end, Munden did well to touch Eastleigh captain Martin Thomas' shot round the post for the home side's first corner of the game after 22 minutes.

And STOKOE put the home side ahead when he headed in Sam Wyeth's cross from the right.

Invicta created chances at the start of the second half as big Eastleigh goalkeeper Matthews touched James Dryden's 47th minute free kick over the crossbar after Lee Bright had fouled Glover.

And Glover himself had a chance to equalise but shot tamely at Matthews when put through down the middle a minute later.

Invicta skipper Scott Lindsey made way for the previous weekend's 16-year-old goalscoring hero Luke Coleman after 65 minutes, with Martin Chandler donning the captain's armband.

But the game did not really come to life until the closing stages.

Eastleigh substitute Martin Beck whipped in a couple of dangerous crosses from the left and Munden pushed substitute Stewart Beck's shot from the edge of the penalty area over the crossbar in the 86th minute.

Munden had fitted in well as Kessell's replacement but received a yellow card after 87 minutes for kicking out at Stewart Beck as the Eastleigh substitute impeded him from clearing the ball.

It did not look like being Invicta's day as Dryden dinked the ball over the crossbar when a Lam before kick was touched on after 88 minutes and an off balance Coleman shot over from close range as he appealed for shirt pulling in the 90th minute.

Eastleigh's Rob Marshall and Wyeth were both booked for dissent as Invicta were awarded a free kick close to the half way line.

And Lamb's first goal of the season was to turn the game on its head.

EASTLEIGH: Matthews, Wyeth, Ashford, Thomas, Bright, Marshall, Smith, Proctor (M. Beck 75 mins), Stokoe (S. Beck 81 mins), Banger (Hunt 85 mins), Warren Unused subs: Hayes.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Munden, Watkins, Lamb, Flanagan, Walker, Lindsey (Coleman 65 mins), Chandler, Munday, Dryden, Everitt, Glover. Unused subs: Dyson, Spearpoint, Morrin.