Folkestone Invicta 2 Bashley 1

RM Feb 01, 2005 Attendance: 152
Folkestone Invicta moved into the quarter finals of the Bryco Cup as goals within the opening ten minutes from Joe Neilson and Micheal Everitt put them firmly in the driving seat against Bashley on Tuesday night.

NEILSON was making his first starting appearance for the club in place of the suspended Paul Sykes and the 18-year-old made an immediate impact as he looked lively in the opening exchanges and broke the deadlock as early as the fifth minute when he turned in Paul Lamb's cross from the left at the near post.

And Micheal EVERITT doubled the lead after just eight minutes when Bashley goalkeeper David Elm could only parry the ball into the net. The goal came about after Micheal's younger brother James headed the ball back into his path at the far post following another quality deep left wing cross from the dependable Lamb after an exchange of passes with the lively Simon Glover.

Bashley made an immediate response as they came straight back down the Invicta end and captain Chris Ferrett flicked the ball against the post.

It was 2-1 after 24 minutes when a good passing move resulted in James Totczyk crossing fro Darren HEAD to open his account for the New Forest club with a shot in the middle of the area.

James Dryden shot at goalkeeper Elm after 27 minutes following a good ball from Micheal Everitt and Dryden then lobbed wide when a crossfield ball sent him through down the right hand side.

James Everitt went close with a diving header after 47 minutes when Glover broke down the left hand side again and sent the ball over and Lamb blasted a free kick at Elm after 51 minutes following a foul on Glover.

But Bashley threatened to draw level as Dave Wakefield's cross from the left was touched onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Tony Kessell after 56 minutes and Totczyk shot wide across goal when Wakefield put him through.

At the other end, Dryden burst into the box down the left hand side and fired against the outside of the post after 72 minutes.

A Dryden shot on the turn was touched over the crossbar for a corner by Elm after 75 minutes.

And the Bashley goalkeeper was called into action again after 89 minutes when he saved from both substitute Luke Coleman and Micheal Everitt.

There were bookings for Bashley defenders Phil Proudley (bringing down Neilson after 22 minutes) and Chris Slade (bodycheck on Dryden after 61 minutes).

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Glover (Munday 63 mins), Dryden, Neilson (Coleman 70 mins), Norman. Unused subs: Walker, Rainbow, Morrin.
BASHLEY: Elm, Slade, Ferrett, Parnell, Proudley, Hough (Miller 78 mins), Knowles, Head, Gibbons, Totczyk, Wakefield. Unused sub: Harper.

Wealdstone 3 Folkestone Invicta 0

RM Jan 29, 2005 Attendance: 280
Folkestone Invicta's poor away record this season continued on Saturday when they suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Wealdstone at a muddy White Lion Ground.

Invicta have won just one away match so far this season in the Ryman Premier League when they romped to a 4-0 win at Leyton back in August.

And Neil Cugley's side are now in danger of being sucked right back into the relegation dogfight after this latest setback in an increasingly close division.

Invicta's week had been dominated by reaction to the previous Saturday's bizarre events surrounding referee Gavin Hoare and the Folkestone side would have been looking to come back with at least a draw in their first match of the post-Hoare era.

Fallen giants Wealdstone now groundshare with Edgware and after being used twice in midweek the pitch was barely playable and the game was subject to a couple of pre-match pitch inspections.

Invicta had early chances as a James Everitt shot was charged down in the fourth minute and centre half Adam Flanagan got forward to hook the ball wide after a free kick was played across from the right to Mark Munday after five minutes.

A minute later James Dryden's shot across goal from the left hand side got stuck in the mud as Invicta threatened again.

But Wealdstone themselves began to settle and striker Jermaine Beckford shot into the side netting after 16 minutes when a ball over the defence left him one-on-one with Steve Norman down the right hand side following an Invicta attack at the other end.

And the 'home' side opened the scoring in the 18th minute courtesy of a great strike from the left hand edge of the box by Tommy WILLIAMS.

Wealdstone had a clear chance to increase their lead after 23 minutes when Beckford fluffed his lines and goalkeeper Tony Kessell was able to avert the danger following a slip by Norman.

Beckford then cut in from the right hand side and shot over a minute later after appearing to foul Norman.

Lee O'Leary's free kick from the right was headed just wide by big centre half Dave Ryan after 34 minutes, while a minute later Invicta striker Paul Sykes lobbed wide when Flanagan's ball over the Wealdstone defence presented him with a chance.

Richard Jolly shot wide when Wealdstone looked certain to increase their lead after 37 minutes when Beckford played the ball in from the left after John Guest sliced his clearance.

At the other end, Dryden got power on his shot a minute later from the left hand side of the box but goalkeeper Andy Carter touched the ball over one-handed.

Wealdstone were desperately close again during first half stoppage time when O'Leary shot against the post and Jolly was unable to force the ball over the line when a second goal looked certain.

Sykes shot over after 53 minutes as Invicta sought a way back into the game during the second half in a move the striker started and which also involved the Everitt brothers Micheal and James.

A good shot on the turn from Jolly was comfortably dealt with by Kessell after 56 minutes, whilt a minute later Flanagan shot just wide on the turn after a Norman free kick.

Sykes' header was headed off the line at the far post when the Invicta striker met a Micheal Everitt corner from the right hand side after 63 minutes.

But Invicta got caught out at the back in the 66th minute when Beckford unselfishly squared the ball back from the left hand side for striking partner JOLLY to make it 2-0.

Beckford lobbed wide when put through and given on-side after 71 minutes.

Dryden then missed a good chance for Invicta at the far post after 79 minutes as he shot wide when Guest met a Norman free kick.

Micheal Everitt shot wide when Paul Lamb's shot was charged down in the Wealdstone box after 83 minutes.

Micheal Everitt then did well to put Sykes through in the 88th minute but the striker blasted a bobbling ball wide when he got in behind the defence.

And JOLLY made it 3-0 when substitute Norbert Michnowicz put him through down the right hand side of the box and he found the net with a low shot across goal. That gave Wealdsotne full revenge for their defeat by the same scoreline at the Westbourne Stadium back in September.

Wealdstone's Martin Carter was the game's only booking for time-wasting at a throw in as early as the 52nd minute.

WEALDSTONE: A. Carter, Shaw, Cahill, O'Leary, Ryan, M. Carter, Williams, McKeown (Morton 51 mins), Beckford (Alexander 90 mins), Jolly, Burrell (Michnowicz 77 mins). Unused subs: Fisher, Carvell.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Munday (Neilson 66 mins), Dryden, Sykes, Norman. Unused subs: Glover, Walker, Coleman, Watson.

Folkestone Invicta 0 Hampton & Rich Boro 2

RM Jan 22, 2005 Attendance: 389
There were unprecedented scenes at the Westbourne Stadium on Saturday afternoon when referee Gavin Hoare sensationally walked off the pitch after just 65 minutes and appeared to have abandoned the game in front of a stunned 389 crowd.

Play eventually re-started following a delay of over ten minutes during which the players returned to the dressing rooms and supporters remained baffled as to what was going on.

Mr Hoare declined the opportunity to explain his actions after the game saying only that all he had to say on the subject would be included in his report to the F. A. But the referee is believed to have felt threatened after being verbally barracked by supporters.

An entertaining first half was thus completely overshadowed by what happened during the first 20 minutes of the second half.

The bizarre sequence of events which led to the game turning sour began after 55 minutes when Invicta's Simon Glover was booked for a foul on Hampton's Ryan Ashe who was then booked for retaliation.

From the subsequent free kick the game turned on what had seemed to be an innocuous off-the-ball incident which resulted in a penalty for Hampton and a straight red card for Invicta centre half John Guest.

The sending off and spot kick were awarded for an alleged punch in the back of the Hampton striker by the Invicta defender, although Guest is adamant that whilst there was a collision between the two players, no punch was thrown

Ryan ASHE stepped up to convert the subsequent 58th minute penalty to open the scoring.

But referee Hoare really lost any control of the game when he awarded a questionable free kick against Micheal Everitt for a challenge on Graham Harper after 65 minutes.

Incensed Invicta manager Neil Cugley was himself sent off and banished to the stands for his protests and left back Paul Lamb booked for dissent. It was at this point that the referee then spoke with the Invicta bench and then inexplicably reduced the game to nothing more than a farce with his walk off.

"When I say that Gavin Hoare was the referee then that is all I need to say," said Invicta manager Cugley after the game. "Other players and managers in Kent will know what I mean by that," he added. "When he is the referee you are always in for an 'interesting' game and this is unlike anything I have previously seen in over 30 years in non-league football."

Controversy seems to follow the Strood official around and this is by no means the first time he has been involved in disputes with the Folkestone club. During this month alone, Mr Hoare has been involved with incidents involving two youth team officials at Invicta and only four days prior to Saturday's game he had sent Paul Sykes off for dissent in a Kent Senior Cup tie away to Dartford.

In August 2000 he became the first referee to send Cugley the manager off when he disallowed what appeared to be a perfectly legitimate goal from James Dryden in a home game against Salisbury City.

Prior to that, Mr Hoare had left his mark on a home match against Burnham in February 2000 when he sent three visiting players off. On this latest occasion, the paying public felt cheated after what had been a closely fought game with little needle or edge to it.

What had seemed like being a run-of-the-mill fixture perhaps heading towards a goalless draw will now go down as an afternoon which will live in the memory of all those who witnessed it. An afternoon when the actual football took second place to the bizarre antics of the referee.

For the record, when play resumed Hampton added a second goal when Elliott GODFREY smacked the ball in from an Allen cross in the 77th minute.

Allen had earlier had the game's first real chance when he shot over from the edge of the penalty area after 19 minutes following a breakaway after an Invicta corner at the other end.

But Invicta were close themselves after 23 minutes when James Dryden's header was touched onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Kieron Drake when Lamb picked the striker out with a cross from the left and James Everitt was just unable to force the rebound over the line at the far post.

Dryden was setting a new Invicta club record of 224 senior starting appearances but what should have been a celebratory afternoon for the 24-year-old was overshadowed by the later events.

A Dryden shot was charged down by Orlando Jeffrey in the 35th minute when the striker went round two defenders inside the penalty area after receiving the ball from Lamb again.

There was further activity in the Hampton box when Glover broke after 36 minutes and a Sykes free kick from the edge of the area was touched onto the crossbar and over for a corner by goalkeeper Drake.

Hampton had a clear chance after 40 minutes when Andy Morley was wide with a diving header at the far post when Allen sent the ball in from the right hand side.

The first half finished with another Invicta chance when Glover nearly prodded the ball in from close range when Dryden nodded another Lamb cross back across goal at the far post.

When play resumed after the second half delay it was Hampton who had all the chances as Allen's cross-shot came back off the top of the crossbar and Godfrey made it 2-0.

Allen then shot wide again with another chance and Invicta centre half Adam Flanagan blocked on the line to deny substitute Eric Kwayke when the ball was played in from the right hand side.

By then it hardly mattered.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt (Neilson 67 mins), Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Glover (Munday 60 mins), Dryden, Sykes, Norman. Unused subs: Walker, Coleman, Watson.
HAMPTON & RICHMOND: Drake, Harper, Wells, Lewington (Ulasi 83 mins), Elverson, Jeffrey, Inns, Godfrey, Allen (Gardner 77 mins), Ashe (Kwayke 77 mins), Morley. Unused subs: Fernandes, Deegan.

Dartford 1 Folkestone Invicta 2 a.e.t.

RM Jan 18, 2005 Attendance: 129
A goal in the last minute of extra time from leading marksman James Dryden took ten-men Folkestone Invicta into the semi finals of the Kent Senior Cup after a hard-earned win over Dartford at a blustery Stonebridge Road on Tuesday night.

With the quarter final tie seemingly heading for penalties, DRYDEN found the net with a speculative low right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area which crept past former Invicta goalkeeper Kevin Hudson to settle the issue.

It was a milestone night for Dryden as he equalled Paul Chambers' record of 223 starting appearances for Invicta since the club gained senior status.

Invicta had played the extra half hour with ten men after Dryden's striking partner Paul Sykes talked himself into an early bath in the last minute of normal time after referee Gavin Hoare had booked him for a challenge close to the half way line. It was thus an unhappy return to his former club for Sykes.

But Neil Cugley's side opened the scoring after 92 minutes when centre half John GUEST headed in a free kick from the left hand side.

Dartford were level within two minutes of the second period of extra time when Dominic ELMES was played through the middle and calmly slotted the ball into the net to level for Tommy Sampson's side.

It was Dartford who then pressed for a winner as Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell was called into action a minute later to deny substitute Steve O'Keefe.

And there was a real scare for Invicta when home defender Darren Penfold let fly and struck the crossbar after 112 minutes.

Kessell then kept the ball out again against his former club during a goalmouth melee a minute later.

But there was to be no way back for Southern League Division One East side Dartford after Dryden's last ditch winner past Hudson.

Invicta had enjoyed the early territorial advantage, but Kessell had to get down to deal with a dangerous right wing cross from one-time Invicta player Steve Hafner after nine minutes.

Micheal Everitt hit a free kick at Hudson when Sykes was fouled in a central position right on the edge of the penalty area after 14 minutes and Simon Glover's close range header was touched over the crossbar by Hudson after 18 minutes when Paul Lamb got to the byeline down the left hand side following a pinpoint ball from captain Scott Lindsey.

Micheal Everitt then shot over on the half hour mark when played in from Lamb's crossfield ball.

At the other end, Teddy Ansell's shot was blocked by Steve Norman after 37 minutes and Kessell had to get down to touch the ball round the post for a corner when Norman was caught in possession by Darren Thompson.

Both Guest and Dryden had chances for Invicta when commanding centre half Adam Flanagan nodded the ball on after 54 minutes.

But Dartford had penalty appeals for handball turned down after 61 minutes when Hafner's ball in from the right struck Flanagan.

Invicta were not having things all their own way as Craig Maguire shot over from the edge of the penalty area after 69 minutes.

Kessell then plucked the ball out of the air when Thompson played the ball in from the left after 73 minutes.

Guest's opener gave Invicta's ten-men a lead to defend but Thompson was soon not too far away with a dipping shot from the edge of the box as Dartford refused to lie down.

DARTFORD: Hudson, Olsen, Maguire, Penfold, Avery, Hafner, Elmes, Ansell (Martin 117 mins), Carter (Pearsall 82 mins), McClements (O'Keefe 70 mins), Thompson. Unused subs: Potter, Simpson.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt (Walker 85 mins), Glover (Munday 45 mins), Dryden, Sykes, Norman. Unused subs: Coleman, Morrin.

Folkestone Invicta 1 Billericay Town 0

RM Jan 08, 2005 Attendance: 423
Folkestone Invicta made it six successive home wins in all competitions when Simon Glover's ninth minute header gave Neil Cugley's side all three points against high-flying Billericay Town at the Westbourne Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Essex side came to Folkestone second in the table, but the only goal of the game came when GLOVER headed in at the far post when Micheal Everitt's corner from the left was flicked on.

That was the first corner of the game and the only one which Invicta won during the first half and it proved to be decisive.

Billericay on the other hand forced an incredible 17 corners during the first half alone when the wind was in their favour and 20 throughout the match without replying to Glover's effort.

Justin Edinburgh's side have the best defensive record in the Ryman Premier League so far this season, but Invicta's resolute defence and goalkeeper Tony Kessell can again take plaudits as they weathered the first half storm.

Invicta gave a full league debut to 17-year-old James Everitt at right back and had the game's first chance when Paul Lamb found James Dryden on the left hand side in the fifth minute and the subsequent cross flew just in front of Paul Sykes in the middle. And that was soon followed by Glover's goal.

Defender Steve Norman made a vital interception to deny Billericay striker Nathan Elder in the box as Billericay attacked after 17 minutes.

The visitors forced corner after corner as James Everitt cleared from close to the Invicta line after 19 minutes and goalkeeper Kessell touched the ball over via the crossbar.

Captain Jamie Dorner's shot from outside the penalty area then deflected for yet another corner in the 30th minute.

Dormer then headed over in the middle after 37 minutes when right back Dave McSweeney's cross was nodded on.

James Everitt then cleared again as Billericay won yet more consecutive corners after 39 minutes.

Billericay were close in the 47th minute when Dormer found Neil Cousins on the left and his cross flew just in front of striker Elder in the middle in what was almost a replica of Invicta's early chance from a similar position in the first half.

But the home side began to create more chances of their own as Dryden had a couple of attempts towards the hour mark and defender Pat Sappleton recovered to stop Sykes as he was about to let fly after 62 minutes when John Guest's ball forward put the Invicta striker in behind the defender.

Sappleton got forward at the other end to go desperately close after 69 minutes from a Kerian Gallagher free kick when James Everitt was penalised.

But Invicta could have struck again when the ball ran away from Dryden after 71 minutes when Micheal Everitt put him through after substitute Mark Munday found Lamb on the left hand side.

And experienced Billericay centre half Robin Trott made a saving last ditch tackle to deny James Everitt when the debutant found himself put through the middle after 77 minutes.

Invicta's Lamb was the game's only booking for comments made to a linesman after 83 minutes.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Glover (Munday 54 mins), Dryden, Sykes (Neilson 89 mins), Norman. Unused subs: Walker, Dyson, Morrin.
BILLERICAY TOWN: Gothard, McSweeney, Kerrigan, Sappleton, Trott, Dormer, Game, Hunter, Elder, Cousins, Gallagher. Unused subs: Stone, Poole, Simmons, Limbrick, Wayman.

Folkestone Invicta 6 Kingstonian 1

RM Jan 03, 2005 Attendance: 343
Goals from James Dryden (2), Simon Glover (2), Paul Sykes and John Guest gave Folkestone Invicta an emphatic victory as they cruised past fallen giants Kingstonian in Bank Holiday Monday's Bryco Cup Third Round tie at the Westbourne Stadium.

Neil Cugley's side went 2-0 up during the first half before Kingstonian pulled a goal back right on half time. Guest scored on the hour to restore Invicta's two-goal lead and the home side finished with a flourish as they added three goals in the last ten minutes.

The only down side for Invicta were ankle injuries to Andrew Burke and Steve Norman, but the Folkestone side were able to give a first start to 17-year-old James Everitt, gave a first senior outing to substitute Will Dunlop and gave another run out to 16-year-out striker Oliver Waters late in the second half.

Left back Paul Lamb also turned out despite getting married the previous day.

SYKES opened the scoring in the 26th minute when he headed in Norman's deep corner from the left at the far post.

And substitute GLOVER made it 2-0 when he tapped the ball in from close range after 32 minutes when centre half Adam Flanagan headed down a Lamb free kick which had been awarded after Dave Timothy scythed Glover down on the right hand edge of the penalty area.

Kingstonian were gifted a goal during first half stoppage time when Mazin AHMAD let fly from the right hand side and his shot went through goalkeeper Tony Kessell's hands to land in the net.

GUEST had been Invicta's hero in their previous home match against Dover Athletic and the centre half scored again on the hour when he nodded in another Lamb free kick.

Invicta's fourth goal was one for Kingstonian goalkeeper Nick Hart to forget as first he cleared the ball straight to DRYDEN and then let the striker's subsequent shot creep in at the near post after 81 minutes.

Dryden then fired just over the crossbar when he cut in from the right and let fly three minutes later.

And DRYDEN made it 5-1 when he blasted the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the penalty area after 85 minutes.

And further gloss was put on Invicta's victory when GLOVER ran through and scored from the edge of the box a minute later.

Kingstonian had started reasonably enough as Ahmad's cross from the right flew just in front of player-manager Scott Steele after 12 minutes.

At the other end, Guest forced a second successive corner when his header deflected over after Lamb had played the ball in from the right hand side on the quarter of an hour mark.

David Ocquaye did not get enough power on his header when Steele dinked the ball in for Kingstonian after 17 minutes, while for Invicta Dryden couldn't quite get over the ball as he leapt to meet a Lamb free kick from the left after 20 minutes.

Martyn Williams shot just wide for Kingstonian from the edge of the penalty area after 41 minutes and Invicta finished the first half with ten men after Norman's injury led to him being replaced by debutant Dunlop at half time.

Invicta had chances at the start of the second half as Glover shimmied past two defenders but made a mess of his shot after 50 minutes and Dryden fired wide from the edge of the penalty area three minutes later.

Kingstonian briefly threatened to draw level as Guest blocked Steele's shot from inside the penalty area after 55 minutes.

But Guest's goal was to effectively kill off the visitors' resistance.

Ahmad forced a corner from the edge of the penalty area after 75 minutes and then Dean Lodge fired wide when the subsequent ball in came back out to him on the edge of the penalty area.

But the three late Invicta goals were to send their supporters home very happy.

There were bookings for Invicta's Flanagan and for Kingstonian's Timothy and Steele.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Burke (Glover 14 mins), Dryden, Sykes (Waters 79 mins), Norman (Dunlop 45 mins). Unused subs: Watson, Morrin.
KINGSTONIAN: Hart, Timothy, Alimi, Taylor, Palmer, Lodge, Ahmad, Muldowney, Ocquaye (Tchankou 77 mins), Steele (Asante 66 mins), Williams. Unused sub: Hughes.

Windsor & Eton 2 Folkestone Invicta 1

RM Jan 01, 2005 Attendance: 171
An 85th minute penalty miss from striker Paul Sykes cost Folkestone Invicta a share of the spoils as they went down 2-1 away to Windsor & Eton at Stag Meadow on New Year's Day.

This was a proverbial game of two halves as the windy and rainy conditions played their part as Windsor established a 2-0 half team lead before Invicta dominated the second half.

James Dryden pulled a goal back in the 75th minute to set up an exciting finale and often uncertain debutant home goalkeeper Marco Celloni became Windsor's unlikely hero when he kept out Sykes' penalty.

Celloni had been one of the game's central figures and as tempers began to flare both on and off the field he denied Invicta what would have been a second 2-2 draw against Windsor this season.

Even then Invicta had a stoppage time chance to equalise as the ball ran away from Dryden when he had gone round Celloni after Sykes had nodded on a clearance from goalkeeper Tony Kessell.

Windsor had opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Paul HOLSGROVE placed the ball into the net off the post from just outside the penalty area.

And cult figure Jamie JARVIS made it 2-0 on his return to Windsor in the 28th minute when he fired the ball back in after a corner from the left nearly went straight in but was cleared off the Invicta line.

DRYDEN made it 2-1 late in the second half when his header went in off the underside off the crossbar from Steve Norman's free kick following a foul by Keith Scott on John Guest.

With Mark Munday out with a calf injury, Invicta welcomed Simon Glover back into the fold after he had stormed out of the ground when left out of the starting line up for the Christmas derby against Dover Athletic.

In the early exchanges, Terry O'Connor did not get enough power on his shot from the edge of the area for Windsor after seven minutes, while Invicta forced a corner after 13 minutes from a close range Glover header when centre half Adam Flanagan challenged Celloni to a Norman free kick.

But it was to be a torrid first half for Invicta after Holsgrove's opening goal and Kessell saved from Adam Crittenden when the ball fell to another of recent Windsor's recent signings inside the box after 21 minutes.

And Windsor's first corner of the game led to their second goal.

Celloni lost his footing but recovered to keep out Micheal Everitt's shot from the edge of the penalty area after 28 minutes.

But Windsor threatened again when Peter Holsgrove's shot just wide on the turn after 31 minutes following a good exchange of passes between O'Connor and Crittenden.

Invicta have proved to be resilient at coming back from 2-0 down in recent times and with the conditions in their favour, the Folkestone side threatened another comeback as they camped in the Windsor half for the majority of the second half.

Celloni did well to keep out an Andrew Burke shot after 49 minutes.

And left back Paul Lamb twice let fly from 35 yards when first his shot flashed past the post after 62 minutes and he then fired against the crossbar ten minutes later.

Dryden's goal gave Invicta the lifeline they were looking for and the penalty was awarded, presumably for a push, when Lamb sent over a corner from the right when Celloni had touched the ball out following a wind-assisted clearance from fellow goalkeeper Kessell.

Invicta gave a first run out of the season to 16-year-old Oliver Waters during stoppage time, but there was to be no last-gasp equaliser this time.

There were bookings for Windsor's Peter Holsgrove and Invicta's Sykes and Flanagan.

There was a minute's silence before the match for the victims of the recent tsunami disaster.

WINDSOR & ETON: Celloni, Tilbury, Cook (Parsons 59 mins), Skinner, Paul Holsgrove, Jarvis, O'Connor, Crittenden (James 33 mins, Gomis 76 mins), Peter Holsgrove, Scott, Carroll. Unused subs: Walsh, Oatley.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Lamb, Norman, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Burke, Dryden, Sykes, Glover (Waters 90 mins). Unused subs: J. Everitt, Coleman, Dyson, Morrin.

Folkestone Invicta 1 Dover Athletic 0

RM Dec 27, 2004 Attendance: 2278
A 57th minute goal from John Guest gave Folkestone Invicta a precious derby victory over closest rivals Dover Athletic on Bank Holiday Monday in front a record 2,278 crowd at the Westbourne Stadium.

The attendance shattered Invicta's previous record league attendance of 1,446 when Dover were last in town in August 2002 and was just 54 short of Invicta's record ever home crowd of 2,332 when West Ham sent a star-studded side down for the Mayor's Flood Fund Benefit match in November 1996.

And home supporters were left relishing a first ever league victory over Dover after too long in their neighbours' shadow.

Both managers had stressed before the game that it was the result that mattered in derby matches such as these and so it proved as Invicta fans will remember this result for years to come despite the fact that the game itself was no classic.

GUEST wrote himself into Folkestone Invicta club folklore when he found the net from close range after striker Paul Sykes had scuffed the ball across goal when a misdirected backward header from Dover's Dean Palmer fell to him on the left hand side following an up-and-under from substitute John Walker.

22-year-old Guest was still in the box to become the unlikely goalscoring hero after he had ventured forward for an earlier Invicta free kick.

The pre-match team news had not been good for Dover as they were without injured leading strikers Matt Carruthers, Craig Wilkins and Paul Armstrong. And it was a familiar failure to turn possession into goals which cost Steve Browne's side the game, particularly during the first half.

Invicta were still without injured right back Kevin Watson and manager Neil Cugley elected to start with Andrew Burke ahead of Simon Glover.

Invicta started brightly enough in the opening minutes, but it was Dover who created the game's first real opening when Warren Ryan blasted high and wide after eight minutes.

The home side were sitting strangely deep during the first half and Dover soon began to look the more composed of the two sides and Byron Bubb let fly from outside the penalty area after 21 minutes but was well wide.

Bubb then collected a ball from new Dover signing Jude Sterling after 26 minutes, cut in from the right hand side and fired a low shot just wide of the post.

A minute later big Sterling had a clear chance but misdirected his free header following a corner on the left as Invicta were hanging on somewhat.

A Daniel Braithwaite shot was then blocked when a free kick from the left fell to him on the edge of the penalty area after 33 minutes.

Dover then had two chances to open the scoring after 37 minutes. First Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell got down to keep out a spectacular Palmer shot when Victor Renner played the ball out to Bubb on the right hand side. And then Chris Wright missed Dover's best chance of the game with a close range diving header across goal which narrowly evaded Invicta's far post when a dangerous ball in from the left looked certain to result in a goal.

Invicta had to adjust at half time when they lost experienced midfielder Mark Munday with a calf injury as Walker came on at right back, with Micheal Everitt moving forward into midfield. And Walker was to play a part in the game's only goal which took some of the pressure off the home side.

A speculative 25 yard shot from Renner flew just over the Invicta crossbar after 67 minutes as Dover chased an equaliser.

Dover captain Craig Cloke headed over a Stuart Maynard free kick after 81 minutes and local lad Cloke's free kick from a central position on the edge of the area flew just wide following a foul on Renner after 84 minutes.

Invicta's best chances of the game fell during the closing stages as James Dryden shot just wide when Andrew Burke played him through after 84 minutes.

Dryden headed at goalkeeper Dominique Jean-Zephirin from Walker's ball in from the right after 89 minutes.

And both Dryden and substitute Joe Neilson shot at Jean-Zephirin during stoppage time.

There were bookings for Invicta's Sykes, captain Scott Lindsey, Paul Lamb and goalscorer Guest and for Dover's Braithwaite, Ryan, Renner and Palmer.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Lamb, Norman, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Munday (Walker 45 mins), Dryden, Sykes (Neilson 80 mins), Burke. Unused subs: J. Everitt, Coleman, Morrin.
DOVER ATHLETIC: Jean-Zephirin, Cloke, Grime, Palmer, Sterling, Braithwaite, Bubb (Hamshare 83 mins), Maynard, Wright, Reener, Ryan. Unused subs: Readings, Gregory, J. Rogers, P. Rogers.

Chelmsford City 2 Folkestone Invicta 1

RM Dec 18, 2004 Attendance: 325
Folkestone Invicta's six-match unbeaten run came to an end when they were beaten by an 86th minute free kick away to Chelmsford City at Billericay Town's New Lodge on Saturday afternoon.

This is not a happy hunting ground for Invicta who drew 0-0 away to Billericay themselves back at the start of September but have now lost on all five visits to play groundsharers Chelsmford.

The 'home' side had opened the scoring on the quarter of an hour mark through new signing Andy Arabsibia, but Invicta were level in the 27th minute through Paul Sykes.

Chelmsford's winner came from substitute Sammy COOPER whose free kick from the left hand side went through a crowd of players in the penalty area and crept straight in at the far post.

Invicta had to adjust their defence going into the game as already without the suspended Adam Flanagan, they also lost right back Kevin Watson who failed a pre-match fitness test on a groin injury.

It is perhaps significant that Invicta have lost all three matches which Essex resident Flanagan has missed this season.

Games between these two clubs are usually open affairs and this encounter was typically end to end from the start.

Gary Ansell volleyed over for Chelmsford when the inventive Garry Cross played the ball in from the left hand side after seven minutes.

And the Essex side struck the first blow following a mix up between Invicta centre halves John Guest and Steve Norman which out ARABSIBIA through. The striker then went past stranded goalkeeper Tony Kessell and played the ball into the net despite the efforts of Micheal Everitt to clear off the line.

Ansell then headed wide when the ball came in from the right after 24 minutes. But Invicta were level two minutes later when Andy Burke unlocked the home defence with a great through ball which was followed by an equally good finish from SYKES who shot across goal and in from the right hand side of the box.

Kessell kept out a great long distance strike from Cross after 32 minutes and George Lay shot high an wide three minutes later with another chance when Cross set him up following a clearance from home goalkeeper Paul Nicholls.

For Invicta, goalscorer Sykes hit a snapshot at Nicholls after 36 minutes when Burke's free kick from the right fell to him at the far post.

Arabsibia then hit a low shot at Kessell after running down the middle in the 43rd minute.

And Invicta found themselves under pressure at the start of the second half when Chelmsford went close three times in as many minutes.

Firstly Cross went desperately close to restoring his side's lead within 30 seconds of the re-start, Steve Butterworth was then close when he let fly from the right hand side in the 47th minute and Lay then shot across the Invicta goal a minute later.

But Invicta responded and a James Dryden shot was cleared off the line by right back Liam Hopkins when Guest met an Everit corner from the right after 49 minutes.

There were chances at both ends after 51 minutes when Ansell didn't get enough power on his shot for Chelmsford and Adam Holmes did well to block a Sykes shot when Simon Glover raced past Hopkins down the left.

Invicta had to adjust when John Walker replaced Sykes after 63 minutes with the substitute coming on at right back, Everitt moving up into midfield and Glover partnering Dryden in attack.

The visitors started to enjoy the bulk of possession and a Walker shot was touched round the post by Nicholls after 73 minutes in a move involving Paul Lamb and Mark Munday.

Invicta's best chance of taking the lead followed after 75 minutes when Nicholls did very well to push a point blank Dryden header over the crossbar for another Invicta corner.

Cooper had been a fitness doubt for Chelmsford before the game and did not come on until the 81st minute, but the substitute's late winner was to give caretaker manager Aidan Boxall all three points.

The final corner count of 8-1 in Invicta's favour suggests that the visitors might have been worth a third successive away league draw.

But with the Folkestone side's track record at New Lodge the Folkestone side may not be too sorry when Chelmsford return home to a new ground at Melbourne for next season.

There were bookings for Invicta's Glover (making contact with Hopkins after 57 minutes) and for Chelmsford's Simon Clarke (foul on Drydebn after 64 minutes).

Missing an Invicta league match for the first time since the club's move up to the Dr Martens League in the summer of 1998 was supporter of the year Derek Miller, who was laid up with a bad back and hoping to be fit for December 27's eagerly anticipated home derby with Dover Athletic.

CHELMSFORD CITY: Nicholls, Hopkins, Holmes, Clarke, O'Connell, Parmenter, Cross, Arabsibia (Hawes 89 mins), Ansell, Butterworth, Lay (Cooper 80 mins). Unused subs: Stewart, Basham, Crumpen.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Glover, Lamb, Norman, Guest, Lindsey (Neilson 87 mins), M. Everitt, Munday, Dryden, Sykes (Walker 63 mins), Burke. Unused subs: Coleman, J. Everitt, Dyson.

Folkestone Invicta 3 Salisbury City 1

RM Dec 11, 2004 Attendance: 361
Folkestone Invicta made it 11 points out of their last possible 15 when headed goals from Mark Munday, Adam Flanagan and James Dryden took Neil Cugley's side into the top half of the Ryman Premier League table with a third successive home win.

MUNDAY opened the scoring in the 38th minute when he headed in his fourth goal in the last six matches after Andrew Burke had got down the left hand side and sent over an inviting cross.

And centre half FLANAGAN made it 2-0 two minutes later when he headed in at the far post when Paul Sykes hooked the ball back in after the attack had appeared to have broken down when Salisbury goalkeeper Kevin Sawyer had made a great save to keep out another Munday header.

Salisbury came out strongly at the start of the second half and set up a tense finish when Adam WALLACE made it 2-1 on the hour when he found the net from a narrow angle after Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell had saved an initial shot. It was the first goal Invicta had conceded in over 420 minutes of football.

But Invicta restored their two-goal advantage in the 80th minute when top goalscorer DRYDEN found the net with a glancing header from Kevin Watson's ball in. It was Dryden's 13th goal of the season in all competitions and the delivery from the likes of right back Watson are what all strikers thrive on. Indeed, Invicta's last six goals have all come from headers.

Dryden had been denied by goalkeeper Sawyer early on, whilst the visitors hit the Invicta crossbar following an indirect free kick.

Paul Lamb came on as a second half substitute for former Margate team mate Munday as he returned after a five-week absence with a rib injury, whilst the addition of substitutes Simon Glover and Joe Neilson added zest to the home attack for the closing stages of the game.

The result maintains a sequence of results over eight matches between the two clubs in three different divisions now whereby the away side is still without a victory.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Norman, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Munday (Lamb 62 mins), Dryden (Neilson 81 mins), Sykes, Burke (Glover 70 mins). Unused subs: Coleman, Morrin.
SALISBURY CITY: Sawyer, Bartlett, Lisk, A. Cook, Thomas, Holmes (Howes 69 mins), Turk, Davis, Wallace, Matthews (Phillips 64 mins), Tubbs. Unused subs: Cooper, Bond, S. Cook.

Staines Town 0 Folkestone Invicta 0

RM Dec 04, 2004 Attendance: 239

Folkestone Invicta recorded a goalless away draw for the second successive Saturday in the Ryman Premier League as they stretched their unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions.

Neil Cugley's side made it three consecutive clean sheets and have still not conceded a goal since signing former Dover Athletic defender Steve Norman from Chelmsford City.

And if either side looked like snatching all three points from Saturday's encounter at Wheatsheaf Park then it was the visitors.

There were pre-match problems for Invicta as striker Simon Glover missed out with a foot injury, but in-form centre half John Guest played through the pain barrier with a chest injury.

Staines started the day in fifth place and threatened early on when Mark Jones fed Gavin Tomlin who got in behind Guest, but both Invicta centre halves Adam Flanagan and Guest blocked shots when the ball was played back and a third shot flew over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.

At the other end, a stretching James Dryden couldn't quite force the ball in after 16 minutes when Flanagan got a touch after a back header from a Staines defender sent the ball heading towards the home goal following a free kick after a foul on Andy Burke.

The closest to a goal during the first half came after 31 minutes when Mark Munday narrowly failed to make headed contact at the far post when Paul Sykes flicked on Burke's corner from the right to present the chance.

Sykes then ran on and hit a low shot at goalkeeper Matt Lovett when Burke played him through after 34 minutes.

And Dryden shot over on the turn after 41 minutes when Sykes nodded on a Kevin Watson throw from the right hand side.

The best save of the game came after 57 minutes when Lovett did very well to touch Flanagan's header over the crossbar when Norman played the ball in from the left.

Invicta had another chance after 59 minutes when Sykes didn't get enough power on his header when Burke played in a great cross from the left.

For Staines, Elliot Onochie's shot also lacked sufficient power after 62 minutes when the ball was played in down the right hand side and the striker threatened to lob goalkeeper Tony Kessell.

Paul Ellis shot over from the right after 74 minutes with his last touch before being replaced by Jon Henry-Hayden.

Invicta brought on teenager Joe Neilson for Sykes after 82 minutes and the substitute made an immediate impression as he shrugged off his marker to get to a Dryden ball and exchanged passes with his striking partner before the latter played the ball into the path of right back Watson who hit a low shot just past the far post.

STAINES TOWN: Lovett, Gell, McDonald, D. Gordon, Flitter, Okikiola (Webb 15 mins), George, Ellis (Henry-Hayden 74 mins), Onochie, Tomlin (Maskell 86 mins), Jones. Unused subs: Redrup, L. Gordon.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Norman, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Munday, Dryden, Sykes (Neilson 82 mins), Burke. Unused subs: Coleman, J. Everitt, Dyson, Morrin.

Erith & Belvedere 0 Folkestone Invicta 2

RM Nov 30, 2004 Attendance: 82

Headed goals early in both halves from Simon Glover and Mark Munday gave Folkestone Invicta a 2-0 win away to Erith & Belvedere in the Kent Senior Cup at Park View Road on Tuesday night.

GLOVER opened the scoring in the tenth minute when he headed in an Andy Burke cross from the left despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Jani Seitsonen to keep the ball out after the game's first corner from the right was not fully cleared.

And MUNDAY increased the lead with his third goal in four matches with a powerful header in the 56th minute after right back Kevin Watson whipped the ball in when Glover played it back to him following a corner on the left hand side.

Invicta started with captain Scott Lindsey back in the centre of midfield and Glover partnering Paul Sykes in attack, with James Dryden on the substitutes' bench. Burke returned to the left flank, with Steve Norman at left back and Adam Flanagan reverting to the centre of defence alongside John Guest.

Sykes fired wide from 25 yards after seven minutes when Norman played the ball up to Glover and the latter's early goal put the visitors in control.

But Erith hit back to create the better of the first half chances and were unlucky after 17 minutes when Paul Abbott's shot from outside the penalty area struck the underside of the crossbar following a good run.

A 25-yard shot from Dean Fenton brought a save from Tony Kessell after 25 minutes and Joe Nartey shot against the post following a ball in from the right hand side after 33 minutes.

Kessell was called into action again after 42 minutes when he got down to save from Chris Dickson.

Invicta were close themselves within half a minute of the second half when Sykes sidefooted against the post when Glover burst into the box down the left hand side from a Norman free kick following a foul on Micheal Everitt.

Glover then nearly got in round goalkeeper Seitsonen after 51 minutes when defender Darren Williams misjudged the bounce from a Kessell kick.

And Munday's goal gave Invicta breathing space.

Goalscorers Munday and Glover combined to carve out a chance for Everitt after 62 minutes, but this time goalkeeper Seitsonen kept out the subsequent header.

Nartey brought another save out of Kessell after 73 minutes following a through ball from home captain and one-time Invicta player Ryan Briggs. But Neil Cugley's side were on their way to a third successive clean sheet.

And the visitors were close at the other end a minute later when Sykes headed over a cross from the right.

Erith's Mark Ducket (53 minutes) and Invicta's Flanagan (80 minutes) were both booked for dissent.

ERITH & BELVEDERE: Seitsonen, Maycock, Ducket, Williams, Rakin, Nartey (Hales 75 mins), Briggs, Abbott, Standen (Chapman 60 mins), Dickson, Fenton. Unused subs: Schillaci, Lakin, Murray.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Norman, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Munday (J. Everitt 84 mins), Glover, Sykes (Coleman 87 mins), Burke (Dryden 45 mins). Unused subs: Dyson, Morrin.

Sep/Nov 2004 Matches click here