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Match Reporter: Richard Murrill - [email protected]

RM: 26.09.05 - Folkestone Invicta 1-0 Billericay

Folkestone Invicta made it three 1-0 wins in eight days as a 71st minute goal from Simon Glover gave Neil Cugley's side a hard-fought win over Billericay Town at the Buzzlines Stadium on Monday night.

GLOVER scored the all-important goal with a great finish when he chested the ball down and fired into the net after a Stuart Myall throw from the left hand side.

The goal meant that Invicta continued their revival after a slow start to the season against a Billericay side which had not previously lost away from home this season but which has not now scored in three meetings since Invicta switched to the Ryman League.

Invicta went into the game with an unchanged starting line up in a game re-arranged after being abandoned due to floodlight failure back in August.

There had been no goals that night and the first half here was equally tight. Billericay had the early half chances as John Guest headed out for the game's first corner when Ross Wareham crossed from the right after six minutes, Wareham himself shot wide after eight minutes and Leon Hunter fired over from 25 yards after ten minutes.

Invicta had to wait until the 41st minute for their first real chance of the game which produced some excellent play as Billericay goalkeeper Dale Brightly did very well to keep out James Dryden's diving header when Myall played the ball in from the right.

Dryden then tee-d the ball up for himself and shot over three minutes later.

There were to be more chances after the interval as a Micheal Everitt shot looped at goalkeeper Brightly at one end after 48 minutes and striker Nathan Elder headed just over for Billericay at the other following a cross from the left after 55 minutes.

Billericay full back Matt Game put the ball past his own post after 56 minutes and Guest headed over Myall's corner from the left.

Invicta were desperately unlucky on the hour when Dryden headed against the post when after Guest had headed on a Paul Lamb free kick.

James Everitt cleared from Billericay captain Jamie Dormer in the Invicta box after 67 minutes and Glover's goal three minutes later broke the deadlock.

Billericay responded in positive fashion as substitute Neil Cousins didn't get enough power on his header when Dormer played the ball in from the left after 76 minutes and Guest cleared for a corner when Adam Parker threaded a good ball through to Cousins a minute later.

Elder showed good strength to take the ball on and fire a low shot at Tony Kessell after 78 minutes and Hunter shot over from distance as Billericay pressed for an equaliser after 80 minutes.

But the visitors were reduced to ten men after 82 minutes when Cousins received a straight red card for a slap on Invicta defender Steve Norman.

Billericay's Hunter was also booked after 87 minutes.

But Invicta were able to celebrate their first home league win of the season in Paul Parker's first home match as assistant manager.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Glover (Neilson 87 mins), Norman. Unused subs: Sly, Watson, Rainbow, Mann.
BILLERICAY TOWN: Brightly, Game, Kerrigan, McSweeney, Dobson, Dormer, Parker, Hunter, Elder, Hockton (Cousins 69 mins), Wareham. Unused subs: Lay, Simmons, Smith, Capleton.

RM 26.09.05 Attendance: 242.

RM: 24.09.05 - St Margaretsbury 0 - 1 Folkestone Invicta

A 73rd minute goal from Micheal Everitt gave Folkestone Invicta victory in Saturday's F. A. Cup Second Qualifying Round tie away to St Margaretsbury as Neil Cugley's side avoided a potential banana skin against their Spartan South Midland League opponents who had accounted for Billericay in the previous round.

22-year-old EVERITT struck from close range to win the tie after Stuart Myall played the ball in from the left hand side and substitute Joe Neilson put goalkeeper Kris Smithers under pressure.

The elder Everitt brother will have fond memories of the F. A. Cup as he made his first senior appearance for Invicta in a Preliminary Round tie at home to Cryodon Athletic back in August 1999. He scored a second half equaliser away to Dulwich Hamlet in a Preliminary Round tie in August 2003 before two late goals from Allan Tait gave Invicta a 3-1 victory and he also brought Invicta level in last season's Second Qualifying Round replay at home to Harrow Borough before Invicta went out on penalties despite the hard-working midfielder being successful with his own spot kick.

It was a case of job done on Saturday for an Invicta side who knew that they would have to compete on a bobbly pitch in rural Hertfordshire.

Invicta had an early chance in the second minute when right back James Everitt volleyed over from the edge of the box, but clear cut chances were to be at a premium.

Simon Glover's pace was always likely to be a key factor for Invicta in this tie, but the striker did not get enough power on his first time shot when a Paul Lamb ball over the defence put him through after 21 minutes.

St Margaretsbury's best chance of the first half came after 29 minutes as striker Ryan Brown shot over when Jason Beck played the ball in from the left hand side.

At the other end, Glover did not make enough of his chance when the ball broke to him on the right hand side after 32 minutes.

St Margaretsbury goalkeeper Smithers made the save of the first half when he kept out a Micheal Everitt shot after 38 minutes when Glover broke down the left hand side and played the ball across.

Invicta made a tactical change at half time as striker Joe Neilson replaced left back Lamb, with Glover moving to a wide left position and Steve Norman moving across to full back in a four-man defence.

The move almost paid instant dividends as Neilson shot at goalkeeper Smithers after 48 minutes.

There was a scare for Invicta after 55 minutes when goalkeeper Tony Kessell was booked for accidentally collecting and handling the ball just outside his penalty area and Steve Barker curled the subsequent free kick just wide.

Record appearance holder James Dryden was making his 250th start for Invicta and the striker hooked a shot just wide when Myall threw the ball in from the right after 71 minutes.

The decisive goal was to come a minute later.

St Margaretsbury responded as Broke down the right hand side after 76 minutes but ultimately played the ball harmlessly across goal.

Substitute Ben Tobin hit a 25-yard free kick wide after 81 minutes and home captain John Barker headed wide when Tobin played the ball over from the right hand side five minutes into stoppage time.

The home side's Beck was booked for a late challenge on James Everitt after 68 minutes.

ST MARGARETSBURY: Smithers, Lovett, Williams, J. Barker, Draper, S. Barker (Tobin 76 mins), Herod, Birnie, Brown, Gray (Petrov 84 mins), Beck. Unused subs: Coombes, Stock, Maskell.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb (Neilson 45 mins), Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Glover, Norman. Unused subs: Sly, Watson, Chandler, Mann.

RM: 24.09.05 Attendance: 212.

RM: 19.09.05 - Chelmsford City 0 - 1 Folkestone Invicta

An 83rd minute goal from Stuart Myall gave Folkestone Invicta their first Ryman Premier League victory of the season as Neil Cugley's side recorded their first ever win at New Lodge in Billericay on Monday night.

MYALL struck his second goal in three days to give Invicta a vital confidence-boosting victory when he fired into the net from close range after an initial James Dryden shot had been blocked when substitute Joe Neilson played the ball in from the left hand side.

Chelmsford are themselves struggling at the wrong end of the table and Invicta were able to build on their improved showing way to leaders Hampton & Richmond on Saturday as the visitors' decision to revert back to a 5-3-2 formation again made them a stronger unit defensively.

Having conceded 10 goals in their three previous away matches this season, a first clean sheet of the season will have been an added bonus for Invicta.

One goal was always likely to settle this game as clear cut chances were few and far between, but Invicta had goalkeeper Tony Kessell to thank for an excellent one-handed touch onto the underside of the crossbar when Chelmsford's Portuguese substitute Jordao let fly with a spectacular strike from the edge of the penalty area after 73 minutes.

During the early exchanges, striker Matthew Judge shot over from the left hand side of the box for Chelmsford after 12 minutes and Invicta's Dryden drilled the ball in low from the left hand side when Micheal Everitt played the ball out wide to him a minute later.

Greg Lincoln then broke down the right hand side and caused Kessell problems with his cross on he quarter of an hour mark.

Chelmsford defender Jerrome Sobers blocked a Simon Glover shot after 22 minutes following a Micheal Everitt back heel and Myall headed across goal when Paul Lamb sent in a deep cross from the left after 27 minutes.

Richard Halle headed wide for Chelmsford when Lincoln played the ball in from the right after 29 minutes and Judge was twice close after 43 minutes when his initial shot was blocked by a defender and he then forced a corner from Kessell at the near post.

Micheal Everitt won Invicta's first corner of the night when his shot was blocked after 44 minutes and younger brother James' shot forced a corner from Sobers when the ball came across from left to right during first half stoppage time.

Chelmsford goalkeeper Anthony Anstead saved with his feet from Myall when the Invicta midfielder took the ball down well after a 48th minute Dryden shot was charged down.

Invicta were close again after 53 minutes when Glover charged down Anstead's attempted clearance when James Everitt played the ball forward.

Glover then shot over after 58 minutes following a move involving James Everitt and John Guest.

Chelmsford substitute Jordao made an immediate impact as he first struck the crossbar and then hit a low 25-yard shot just wide of the post seconds later.

Following Myall's goal, Invicta substitute Martin Chandler made a saving tackle after 86 minutes and Dryden forced a 90th minute save from Anstead with a shot on the turn following a throw from the right.

Chelmsford's Peter Smith was booked for a foul after 57 minutes.

CHELMSFORD CITY: Anstead, Smith, Haswell, Sobers, R. Edwards, Lincoln, Hopkins, C. Edwards, Judge (Jordao 71 mins), Renner (Moralee 56 mins), Halle (Mangodza 45 mins). Unused subs: Valdez, Lawler.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey (Chandler 79 mins), M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Glover (Neilson 69 mins), Norman. Unused subs: Watson, Mann.
RM: 190905 Attendance: 286.

Photos c/o Chelmsford City FC

RM: 17.09.05 - Hampton & Richmond Boro 3 - 1 Folkestone Invicta

Two goals in the closing five minutes condemned ten-men Folkestone Invicta to defeat away to 100% league leaders Hampton & Richmond Borough on Saturday afternoon after the visitors had opened the scoring through Stuart Myall despite the controversial dismissal of John Guest right on half time.

Guest was sent off in the 45th minute for what stand-in referee S. Comerford deemed as deliberate handball when the centre half went to charge the ball down from Lawrence Yaku with his arms raised.

It was one of the game's major turning points and a disappointing end to a first half in which struggling Invicta had acquitted themselves very well.

The unfortunate Guest had been involved in an even bigger controversy when the sides last met back in January when his much-debated sending off that afternoon ultimately led to referee Gavin Hoare's infamous walk-off.

But Invicta overcame the loss of Guest to take the lead after 49 minutes when MYALL headed in James Everitt's cross from the right had side after Simon Glover had played the ball back.

It was a shock for the home side who had kept clean sheets in seven of their previous eight matches in all competitions this season.

The lead lasted until the 69th minute when Francis Quarm switched the play from left to right and Graham HARPER smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Invicta held on at 1-1 until the 87th minute when substitute Jon HENRY-HAYDEN got the final touch on the line after fellow substitute Luke Fontana slid a low shot goalbound from the left hand side of the box after Elliott Godfrey had thread the ball through.

It was a cruel blow for Invicta and FONTANA rubbed salt into the visitors' wounds by finding the net from the right hand side of the box with virtually the last kick of the match despite a desperate challenge from Adam Flanagan.

Invicta had gone into the game with new assistant manager Paul Parker taking on his new-found role for the first time and gave a debut to 18-year-old goalkeeper Kieron Mann in the absence of the suspended Tony Kessell.

James Everitt came in for his first start of the season in place of the injured Kevin Watson and Glover replaced the injured Paul Jones in attack.

Invicta set about their task in a purposeful manner as you would have been hard pressed to determine which side had won all their opening Ryman Premier League matches so far this season and which is still searching for its first win.

Glover headed wide as early as the second minute when Myall played the ball in from the right hand side in a move started by Micheal Everitt.

And Myall himself shot wide from the edge of the box in the fourth minute when James Everitt played the ball in from the right.

Invicta's Flanagan blocked an Alan Inns shot after five minutes and the centre half then got forward to head a Myall free kick from the left wide following a foul on Glover two minutes later.

Teenager Mann made a confident start in the Invicta goal and came out to save and thwart the danger when Yaku nodded the ball on to Kelvin Macintosh after eight minutes. Mann then got down to save Inn's low shot a minute later.

Invicta reverted back to the 5-3-2 formation which had served them well for much of last season, with Steve Norman joining Flanagan and Guest at the heart of the defence.

The excellent Norman did well to dispossess Macintosh when danger man Yaku sent him away as Hampton broke following an Invicta throw at the other end.

Macintosh then headed just wide for Alan Devonshire's side when Yaku sent Harper racing away down the right hand side after 26 minutes.

But Invicta continued to hold their own as James Dryden headed over a deep Paul Lamb cross after 27 minutes and Micheal Everitt shot into the side netting after 32 minutes.

Myall hit a free kick at goalkeeper Matt Lovett after 38 minutes when Dryden was fouled on the edge of the box.

At the other end, captain Scott Lindsey blocked Inns; shot from the edge of the penalty area as Invicta continued to get bodies in the way of the ball when they needed to.

Guest's dismissal was to overshadow Invicta's first half performance and came about after Godfrey had taken down goalkeeper Lovett's clearance very well to feed Yaku.

Hampton had a great chance to equalise just a minute after Invicta's goal but Godfrey somehow didn't touch the ball in from close to the line when Yaku played the ball back to Steve Sodje and the left back shot at goal.

Dryden lobbed the ball at Lovett when the striker produced a brilliant piece of skill to tee himself up after 59 minutes and Micheal Everitt volleyed over in the middle when Dryden played the ball in from the left three minutes later as Invicta continued to look very comfortable and even threatened a second goal on the break.

Hampton thought that they had equalised after 66 minutes when substitute Fontana put the ball into the net at the far post when Harper played the ball across from the right, but the 'goal' was ruled out for offside after a move involving Quarm, Yaku, Godfrey and Macintosh.

But three goals in the closing 22 minutes were to make it seven wins out of seven for Hampton& Richmond Borough.

The home side's Macintosh (late challenge on Micheal Everitt after 11 minutes) and Inns (dissent after 64 minutes) were both booked.

HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH: Lovett, Harper, Sodje (Fontana 60 mins), Elverson, Paris, Wells, Inns (Gardner 67 mins), Godfrey, Yaku (Henry-Haydon 79 mins), Quarm, Macintosh. Unused subs: Matthews, Connor.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Mann, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey (Chandler 88 mins), M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Glover (Neilson 75 mins), Norman. Unused subs: Watson, Hurley.

RM: 17.09.05 Attendance: 292.

RM: 10.09.05 - Folkestone Invicta 3-1 Egham

Folkestone Invicta were victorious for the first time this season as they overcame Egham Town 3-1 in Saturday's F. A. Cup First Qualifying Round tie at the Buzzlines Stadium but were made to work hard against their Ryman League Division Two opponents.

Goals from centre half John Guest and substitute Simon Glover gave Invicta a 2-0 first half lead, but Ashley Martin pulled a goal back for the visitors with a 63rd minute penalty before James Dryden made the game safe in the 88th minute.

Invicta kept faith with the same starting line up which had been beaten by Worthing on Monday night and would have gone into the game looking to make a strong start having conceded an early goal in all three previous home matches this season.

But Egham had other ideas as they won a couple of early corners and Guest had to get across to deny Levi Coleman when Mike Crowson played the ball into the box after just three minutes.

Guest then had to play the ball out for a corner when Martin played the ball across from the right hand side and a powerful Marc Simms header went over the Invicta crossbar from Paul Bennett's subsequent corner from the right.

At the other end, Micheal Everitt shot over from the edge of the penalty area when Paul Jones sent Dryden away down the left hand side.

A shot from captain David Graves was cleared when Bennett sent over another corner from the right hand side for Egham after 15 minutes.

But Invicta were to open the scoring when they won their own first corners of the game. Egham goalkeeper Elliott Hind touched over an acrobatic Dryden shot following a throw in from the right and Hind then touched over Dryden's header from Kevin Watson's subsequent ball in.

The goal came when GUEST met Watson's 18th minute corner from the right hand side at the far post and the defender's header went in off Egham's Mo Shuga'a.

But the visitors responded as Tony Kessell made a great save with his feet to deny Orlando Hollingsworth after 21 minutes following a free kick from the left after Guest had fouled Coleman.

Invicta lost striker Paul Jones when he pulled up with a pulled hamstring and was replaced by Glover after 24 minutes.

Egham continued to create chances and Simms headed away from goal after 27 minutes following a corner from the left.

But Invicta had chances of their own as Dryden headed across goal when Myall played the ball across from the right after 28 minutes. And Egham goalkeeper Hind did well to get down and keep out a fierce low Dryden free kick when Graves was booked for pulling Glover's shirt on the edge of the penalty area on the half hour mark.

It was 2-0 after 35 minutes when GLOVER headed in from close range after centre half Adam Flanagan had flicked on a Myall throw from the left.

There were chances at both ends after 38 minutes as Martin let fly for Egham from the edge of the box but Kessell saved comfortably and Glover shot over from 20 yards.

Egham were close again in the 44th minute when Paul Lamb blocked from Coleman close to goal and Simms' close range far post shot was kept out by team mate Coleman from the subsequent corner.

Coleman had another chance when he shot wide during first half stoppage time.

Invicta started the second half strongly as Dryden's well-struck 47th minute shot from the edge of the penalty area was pushed over for a corner by Hind.

For Egham, Graves shot into the side netting from Bennett's free kick after 57 minutes.

A Myall free kick had Hind in trouble on the hour when the goalkeeper scrambled to push the ball away for a corner and Flanagan headed over Steve Norman's subsequent ball in from the right.

Egham pulled a goal back when MARTIN sent his penalty high into the net after a handball decision against substitute James Everitt from Bennett's corner on the left. Guest was booked for his subsequent protests.

Simms then attempted to lob Kessell from the right hand side after 67 minutes when the Invicta goalkeeper found himself in no-man's-land but James Everitt was there to clear.

A minute later, Flanagan was close with a header for Invicta which brought another good save and corner from Hind following a Myall free kick.

Egham still had hopes of forcing a replay as Graves headed at Kessell when substitute Marriott Lusengo played the ball in from the left after 75 minutes.

And as the chances continued, Flanagan was close with another header from a Myall corner after 77 minutes and Hind kept out a Dryden chip two minutes later when Glover put him through after a move involving James Everitt and Flanagan.

DRYDEN was to make no mistake after 88 minutes when he slid a low shot past Hind after Glover had done well to thread him through as Invicta kept the ball on the ground to restore their two-goal lead.

It brought record goalscorer Dryden's Invicta tally to 99 goals. Another milestone awaits.

Invicta's Myall was booked for kicking the ball away after 70 minutes.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson (J. Everitt 49 mins), Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey (Neilson 63 mins), M Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Jones (Glover 24 mins), Norman. Unused subs: Chandler, Mann.
EGHAM TOWN: Hind, Smillie (Lusengo 42 mins), Shuga'a, Graves, Fox (Mosen 79 mins), Beimms, Hollingsworth, Coleman, Martin, Crowson (Roye 64 mins). Unused sub: Palmer.

-RM: 10.09.05 Attendance: 212.
LA: Photos Acrobatics from Hind - Guesty MoM - Glovers headed 35 minute goal - FA Cup Action - Baby face!

RM: 05.09.05 - Folkestone Invicta 1-2 Worthing

Folkestone Invicta slumped to second home defeat in three days when they went down 2-1 against Worthing at the Buzzlines Stadium on Monday night. The Folkestone side are still searching their first win of the season and again conceded an early goal to put themselves up against it.

5Worthing increased their lead after 53 minutes before Invicta staged a late rally and pulled a goal back through substitute Simon Glover. And Glover blasted over in the 87th minute with a chance to equalise and lift some of the doom and gloom which has descended over the club.

The result leaves Invicta languishing at second from bottle in the Ryman Premier League table, with Worthing climbing to third in the table before Tuesday night's fixtures.

Invicta had got off to the worst possible start when goalkeeper Tony Kessell threw the ball out to Liam COLLINS and the Worthing man returned the ball with interest by chipping the ball over the hapless 'keeper and into the back of the net from just inside the Invicta half as early as the third minute.

Collins had scored both goals when Worthing won 2-1 at Folkestone last season and had opened the scoring within 90 seconds that afternoon with another perfectly executed chip.

Invicta had now conceded early goals in their two previous home matches against Leyton and Heybridge Swifts and had thus fallen behind early on for a third successive home match.

There were chances at both ends after eight minutes when Micheal Everitt played the ball in to Paul Jones at the far post for Invicta and Sam Francis played a dangerous ball in from the right hand side for Worthing.

It was turning into a frustrating night for the Folkestone side as Shaun Grice headed off the line following an Invicta corner from the left hand side after 13 minutes.

Worthing themselves still carried a threat as Francis shot wide from outside the penalty area after 16 minutes and Kessell got across to touch the ball away for a corner when Collins played in another dangerous ball from the right hand side in the 27th minute.

Playing in an advanced midfield role, Steve Norman fired a low shot just wide across goal when Paul Lamb played a good low ball in to him after 35 minutes.

And striker Jones shot wide from the edge of the penalty area after 37 minutes.

The visitors made a good start to the second half and GRICE made it 2-0 when he thumped the ball home from 25 yards when the ball came back out to him after 53 minutes.

Stafford Browne threatened to increase the visitors; lead further after 57 minutes when he picked his spot but fired just wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Invicta were in disarray as Danny Davis ran through for Worthing before being stopped in his tracks after 59 minutes.

But the home side hit back as James Dryden shot just wide of the far post on the turn after 63 minutes when a Worthing defender headed the ball into his path.

A Kevin Watson free kick from the left hand side flew across the Worthing goal after 71 minutes as the ball would not go in for Invicta and Watson hit a low shot just wide when Stuart Myall tapped a free kick to him.

GLOVER pulled a goal back from close range after 83 minutes when Jones played the ball across from the right and Dryden went in with a defender at the far post.

Teenage striker Joe Neilson replaced Norman with five minutes remaining, but Glover's late miss was the closest Invicta came to saving the day.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey (Glover 54 mins), M Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Jones, Norman (Neilson 85 mins). Unused subs: Chandler, J. Everitt, Mann.
WORTHING: Ormerod, Holmes, Lutwyche, Pullan, Cable, Davis (Rogers 76 mins), Collins, Pook (Watson 79 mins), Francis, Browne, Grice. Unused subs: Brotherton, Watson, Ryan.

RM: 05.09.05 Attendance: 241.

RM: 03.09.05 - Folkestone Invicta 0-2 Heybridge Swifts

Watching Chelsea captain John Terry saw his pal Paul Nicholls score from the penalty spot with the final kick of the game as Folkestone Invicta's disappointing start to the season continued on Saturday.

Terry was the centre of attention at the Buzzlines Stadium for this lunchtime kick off as he chose the sunshine of Folkestone rather than the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for his injury-enforced spectator role and signed autographs for excited fans.

Goalkeeper and regular penalty taker NICHOLLS progressed as far as the reserve side at Stamford Bridge and in something of a role reversal stepped up to beat record Invicta goalscorer James Dryden from the spot in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

Dryden had taken over the goalkeeper's jersey as regular custodian Tony Kessell was sent off for catching striker Cliff Akurang with his leg to concede the penalty.

The powerful AKURANG, himself a former Chelsea apprentice, had opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute when he broke through the middle and rifled a low shot into the net following an Invicta corner at the other end.

Having conceded nine goals in their opening three winless matches of the season, Invicta welcomed back talented centre half John Guest from injury, with Steve Norman switching to left back and Paul Lamb relegated to the substitutes' bench.

Guest made a good start as he got in quickly before Akurang to clear as early as the second minute when Mark Jenney went past Norman down the right hand side and sent in a dangerous cross.

But Invicta were soon up against it when Heybridge broke to take the lead.

Home right back Kevin Watson was booked for kicking out an opponent after ten minutes and big defender Paul O'Donoghue had a chance at the far post from the subsequent free kick.

Watson whipped in a dangerous free kick for Invicta after 27 minutes which was headed out for a corner when O'Donoghue was booked for pulling Simon Glover's shirt down the left hand side.

Watson then sent in a dangerous corner from the left hand side which was headed away four minutes later.

Heybridge were close again after 53 minutes when Kessell pushed over a Paul Abbott header when captain Ian Cousins played the ball in from the left hand side.

Watson had another chance for Invicta when he hit a low shot just wide when Stuart Myall played a free kick on the edge of the penalty area back to him after 63 minutes.

Chances were proving few and far between as teenage Invicta substitute Joe Neilson hit a low shot at Nicholls after 83 minutes when Watson played the ball in to substitute James Everitt.

At the other end, a shot from Heybridge substitute Sean Marks was deflected for a corner when Akurang met a cross from the right.

Heybridge substitute Stephen Butterworth was booked for a late challenge on Norman during stoppage time.

And the action was not over as play continued for a further eight minutes during which Akurang had a 'goal' disallowed for offside when Michael Shinn played the ball in from the left hand side.

Invicta centre half Adam Flanagan was booked for pulling back Akurang when goalkeeper Kessell found himself in trouble outside his penalty area.

But Kessell himself was not so fortunate when he was shown a straight red card for bringing Akurang down a minute later.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Norman, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey (J. Everitt 75 mins), M Everitt, Glover (Neilson 70 mins), Dryden, Bower (Jones 45 mins), Myall. Unused subs: Lamb, Mann.
HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS: Nicholls, Artun, Cousins, Shinn, Trott, O'Donoghue, Janney (Berkley 61 mins), Gillespie, Abbott (Butterworth 85 mins), Hill (Marks 45 mins), Akurang. Unused subs: Barber, Lewis.
RM: 03.09.05 Attendance: 256.

RM: 29.08.05 - Bromley 3-3 Folkestone Invicta

Folkestone Invicta were still searching for their first win of the season as they squandered a 3-0 lead away to Bromley on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon and conceded a stoppage time equaliser in a dramatic encounter.

A James Dryden hat-trick had appeared to put Invicta in total control amidst the glorious sunshine at Hayes Lane, but two goals in three minutes around the hour mark raised Bromley's hopes and they saved the day with their last gasp equaliser.

Invicta had themselves come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Leyton on Saturday when they were again left disappointed not to have won the match.

DRYDEN had opened the scoring for Invicta amid controversial circumstances after 21 minutes when a Stuart Myall throw from the right hand side appeared to go straight into the net at the far post. But referee S. Rubery judged that the ball had brushed off somebody's head and record marksman Dryden was credited with his first goal of the season, with centre half Adam Flanagan also staking a claim.

There was no doubting DRYDEN's second goal when he dispossessed right back Steve Potterill on the edge of the box when Myall put him through and shot past goalkeeper Andy Walker.

Myall was the provider again after 50 minutes when he dinked the ball in from the left hand side and DRYDEN headed into the net across goal to complete his third hat-trick for the club.

It looked at that point as though the remainder of the game might be something of a stroll for the visitors. But Bromley were to reduce the deficit after 59 minutes when Frazer LOGAN found the net after substitute Wade Falana had beaten goalkeeper Tony Kessell to a through ball down the middle.

And it was 3-2 after 61 minutes when striker Nic McDONNELL nodded in Barry Gardner's ball in from the left hand side.

Invicta seemed set to hold on when Bromley's Falana was shown a straight red card for dissent after disputing a 90th minute goal kick decision.

But there was to be a final twist as Logan's stoppage time free kick from the right was headed out for a corner and little Allan McLeod's subsequent set piece from the left was headed in by left back Mark WILLY.

Bromley manager George Wakeling had been presented with a bottle of champagne to commemorate 500 games in charge of the club before the match before the kick off and could surely have enjoyed few comebacks such as this.

Invicta had gone into the game with midfielder Matt Bower replacing fellow summer signing Paul Jones.

It was the home side who made the early running as striker Adolf Amoako shot wide from outside the penalty area after two minutes and goalkeeper Kessell did well to save from Gardner after seven minutes when Amoako played the ball in to McDonnell to create the opening.

And Invicta captain Scott Lindsey cleared off the line from Amoako when Kessell missed Gardner's free kick from the left after 12 minutes.

At the other end, Bromley goalkeeper Walker pushed away a Dryden header from Kevin Watson's corner on the left after 24 minutes immediately before Invicta's controversial opener.

In between Invicta's two first half goals, Bromley's Amoako shot against striking partner McDonnell after 24 minutes when Potterill went past Paul Lamb to reach the right hand bye line and send in a low cross following a Gardner pass.

McDonnell headed over after 50 minutes, but Dryden's third goal seemed to have settled the issue.

But Bromley's two goal reply made it game on again.

Invicta's Dryden was booked for a third successive game for a late challenge on Logan after 64 minutes and both Bromley's Falana and Invicta's Flanagan were booked following a 68th minute flare up.

Kessell made a great tip over the crossbar when McDonnell let fly from the edge of the penalty area after 70 minutes and the subsequent corner was headed just wide by Falana.

Simon Glover lobbed wide for Invicta from the right hand side of the box after 73 minutes when he got in behind defender Tutu Henriques to Lindsey's free kick.

And Dryden could have increased Invicta's lead after 78 minutes when substitute Jones put him clean through down the middle, only for goalkeeper Walker to block his shot for a corner.

Invicta were close again when Flanagan headed strongly at Walker after 80 minutes and Dryden struck a free kick against the crossbar when Willy raised his foot on the edge of the penalty area after 85 minutes.

The drama continued into the closing minutes as McDonnell made space for himself and shot just wide for Bromley after 86 minutes and a Dryden shot was saved by Walker at the other end after 90 minutes.

But Falana's late dismissal and Willy's even later equaliser were to ensure that the major incidents were to continue right to the end.

BROMLEY: Walker, Potterill, Willy, Julius (McGowan 57 mins), Henriques, Boateng, Gardner (Darko 85 mins), McLeod, Amoako (Falana 57 mins), McDonnell, Logan. Unused subs: Locke, Vines.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Lamb, Flanagan, Norman, Lindsey, M. Everitt (J. Everitt 72 mins), Myall, Dryden, Bower (Chandler 72 mins), Glover (Jones 75 mins). Unused subs: Neilson, Mann.

RM: 290805 Attendance: 409.

RM: 27.08.05 - Folkestone Invicta 2-2 Leyton

Sponsors, ADASTRA SOFTWARE present MoM award to Adam Flanagan.

Folkestone Invicta came back from 2-0 down against Leyton on Saturday afternoon but then had to settle for just a point from their first completed home Ryman Premier League game of the season.

Invicta got off to the worst possible start as goals from Leli Bajada and Ryan Ashe put the visitors 2-0 up within the opening quarter of an hour.

But the home side were thrown a lifeline when defender Chris Elsegood headed into his own net after 28 minutes and centre half Adam Flanagan marked his 100th starting appearance for the club by heading Invicta level after 55 minutes.

Invicta then pressed for a winner and will ultimately be disappointed not to have made their comeback complete.

Starting with an unchanged line up, Invicta had actually made the early running as Stuart Myall shot just wide when a James Dryden free kick was charged down as early as the second minute and Leyton goalkeeper James Hasell saved with his feet when Myall played Dryden in on the left hand side two minutes later.

But it was the visitors who opened the scoring when BAJADA slotted the ball into the net after ten minutes when Ryan Ashe played a low ball through the middle to him.

It was 2-0 after 14 minutes when Spencer Knight picked ASHE out on the right hand side and the latter's shot from outside the penalty area slipped through goalkeeper Tony Kessell's hands and into the net.

Shell-shocked Invicta responded as Dryden was desperately close when he shot across goal just in front of striking partner Paul Jones in the middle when Dryden had combined well with Simon Glover down the left after 27 minutes in a move started by captain Scott Lindsey.

And it was 2-1 a minute later when Myall found Glover down the left hand side and his cross deflected off the head of ELSEGOOD to leave goalkeeper Hasell with no chance.

Invicta were now back in the game and a great shot from Myall was pushed away by goalkeeper Hasell when Kevin Watson played a corner from the left hand side back to the burly midfielder outside the penalty area on the half hour mark.

Glover headed over a Paul Lamb cross from the left after 37 minutes and Jones didn't fully get hold of his 41st minute volley when Watson played the ball in from the right.

Glover got away down the left hand side again in the 42nd minute following a quick throw from Dryden but his cross landed just in front of his in-coming team mates.

Leyton threatened at the start of the second half when Kesell pushed away Michael Gormon's far post shot following a free kick from the right.

But when FLANAGAN equalised for Invicta by heading in Watson's corner from the left, the pendulum swung back in the home side's favour.

Neil Cugley's side were close again a minute after the equaliser when Jones got on the end of Myall's cross from the right.

At the other end, Leyton captain Roy Parkyn did well down the left hand side and striker Danny Shipp volleyed his subsequent cross wide.

Dryden was close at the near post for Invicta after 76 minutes but goalkeeper Hasell did well to deny him following a throw from the left hand side.

Dryden was booked for a challenge in the box after 84 minutes when substitute Joe Neilson did well to skip past both Parkyn and Elsegood down the right.

And Neilson himself was booked for kicking the ball into the net after a late offside flag a minute later.

At 2-0 down Invicta would have been grateful for a point, but will probably see this more as two points dropped than a point gained.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson (J. Everitt 84 mins), Lamb, Flanagan, Norman, Lindsey, M. Everitt (Bower 79 mins), Glover (Neilson 78 mins), Dryden, Jones, Myall. Unused subs: Sly, Mann.
LEYTON: Hasell, Peddie, Parkyn, Elsegood, Thomas, Gormon (Cook 61 mins), Ashe, Knight, Shipp (Badu 70 mins), Sophocleous, Bajada (Williams 70 mins). Unused subs: Boyce, Hawes.

RM: 27.08.05 Attendance: 286.
Photos: courtesy of Colin Ashman.

RM: 22.08.05 - Folkestone Invicta 0-0 Billericay (abandoned after 41 mins/floodlight failure)

Abandoned after 41 minutes due to floodlight failure

Folkestone Invicta's opening Ryman Premier League game of the season was dramatically abandoned after 41 minutes on Monday night due to floodlight failure at a very wet Buzzlines Stadium.

The game had managed to beat the torrential rain but the lights initially went out in the 35th minute with the game still goalless.

Play was resumed after a 13 minute delay but when the lights went out again just seven minutes later referee Grant Smith from Polegate decided that it was time to call it a night.

Invicta's first midweek home match since switching from Tuesday to Monday nights will thus go down in the record books for more than one reason.

Supporters are asked to keep their ticket receipts to gain admission into the re-arranged game on a date to be confirmed.

Last season's runners up Billericay Town had almost got off to a flying start when Neil Cousins' snapshot from the edge of the penalty area had to be pushed over the crossbar by goalkeeper Tony Kessell for the game's first corner after just 30 seconds.

In the early exchanges, a through ball from Stuart Myall put James Dryden through but an assistant referee's flag meant that the striker's good finish into the net was to count for nothing.

Billericay were close again after 18 minutes when a big clearance from goalkeeper Mel Capleton eluded Invicta defender Paul Lamb and Cousins did very well to send in a well-struck cross from the right hand side for striking partner Danny Hockton. Goalkeeper Kessell came out to save but the danger was still there as the ball ricocheted of Hockton again from close range but stayed out.

There were bookings for Invicta's Paul Jones (challenge on goalkeeper Capleton) and for Billericay's Leon Hunter (foul on Kevin Watson) and Pat Sappleton (foul on Jones).

Unfortunately for those three players those yellow cards are likely to be all that still counts from this unfinished match.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Lamb, Flanagan, Norman, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Glover, Dryden, Jones, Myall. Unused subs: Neilson, Bower, J. Everitt, Sly, Mann.
BILLERICAY TOWN: Capleton, Game, Kerrigan, McSweeney, Sappleton, Dormer, Thomas, Hunter, Cousins, Hockton, Lay. Unused subs: Wareham, Perfect, Smith, Henty, Brightley.

Attendance: 285. RM: 22.08.05

RM: 20.08.05 - AFC Wimbledon 4-1 Folkestone Invicta

Three goals in the opening 25 minutes of the second half sent Folkestone Invicta crashing to a heavy defeat on the opening day of the Ryman Premier League season away to ambitious AFC Wimbledon in front of a bumper 3002 crowd at Kingsmeadow on Saturday afternoon.

Spirits had been raised as Invicta went in level at the interval as summer signing Paul Jones marked his league debut for the club with an equaliser on the stroke of half time.

But the Invicta defence was to be given a torrid time by the home attack during the second half as Wimbledon went some way to justifying their status as pre-season favourites for the title as they continue their rise through the non-league pyramid.

Last season's runaway Division One champions had opened the scoring after 12 minutes when New Zealand international Shane SMELTZ found the net from close range after goalkeeper Tony Kessell had saved an initial effort from Amadou Kouman.

But Invicta were level during first half stoppage time thanks to a well-taken finish from JONES after striking partner James Dryden had played the ball back when Paul Lamb played a deep cross in from the left in a move started by Stuart Myall.

Jones had been a part of the Ashford side which had been beaten 5-1 by Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow on the opening day of last season after Matt Bower had put the Kent side ahead and was to endure another heavy second half onslaught from the Dons.

Strong 20-year-old striker Richard BUTLER restored the home side's lead after 49 minutes when he cut in from the right hand side and beat both goalkeeper Kessell and defender Kevin Watson's attempts t clear on the line despite Invicta's appeals for offside.

Debutant Matt YORK made it 3-1 after 67 minutes when he slid the ball into the net from the edge of the penalty area after the ball had been played to him from Smeltz.

And Invicta hardly had time to recover from that blow when SMELTZ ran half the length of the field to complete the scoring after Butler had appeared to climb all over Steve Norman to give the visitors further cause to question referee Martin Yerby.

There were bookings for Wimbledon's Mark Cooper and Invicta's Lamb and Dryden.

AFC WIMBLEDON: Little, Daly (Moore 45 mins), Sargent, Finnie, S. Butler, Cooper, Woolner, York, R. Butler (Fowler 72 mins), Smeltz, Kouman (Gray 85 mins). Unused subs: Wojlechowski, Lennie.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Lamb, Flanagan, Norman, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Jones (Neilson 78 mins), Glover. Unused subs: Sly, J Everitt, Chandler, Hurley.

Attendance: 3002. RM: 20.08.05

Guest Report from Clive ...

AFC Wimbledon 4 Invicta 1
CA: 20.08.05 (Guest Reporter - Clive Arnold)

A crowd of 3002 watch the first game of the season.

Folkestone missed Guest at the back and Bower in midfield.

A quick start that was very even .

GOAL 12 mins Smeltz with a tap in after an Kessall block.

AFC Wimbledon moved the ball about with out looking to threatening.

Folkestone were unable to exert any pressure but Jones did go close in 30 mins. Jimmy looked injured and Glover did not have one of his better days.

With many Dons fans heading to the bar the game was very stale the Folkestone 100 were out shouting the home fans when Paul Jones half volleyed in Dryden header form a Lamb cross all was looking good. BUT Mr Yerby and a linesman were very much under pressure from the home crowd.

Almost straight from the restart we were 2-1 down a the forward looked miles of side was he too close to the linesman? A great finish he skinned Kess all at pace and thumped it in of Watson! Butler was the man.

We went to sleep 3-1 poor defending left Kes helpless following a strong run across the area by York.

4-1 Oh dear we parted and let a man run unchallenged for 20 yard that man was Kiwi Shane Smeltz.

Neilson on for Jones

Good shout for a pen for a foul on Myall.

Bookings for Glover and Dryden

Views on Wimbledon, very fit very confident good up front. They will face tougher games than Invicta.

Mom for us Michael Everitt.

Good games by Norman and Watson who got better during the game. Flanners and Jones.

End of Season/April 2005 Matches click here