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Match Reporter: Richard Murrill - [email protected]

RM: 28.11.05 - Folkestone Invicta 3-0 Slough

Folkestone Invicta bounced back from the disappointment of Saturday’s F A. Trophy exit with a comprehensive win over Slough Town on Monday night as record goalscorer James Dryden hit a hat-trick in a morale-boosting 3-0 victory.

Invicta dominated from the start at the Buzzlines Stadium and Dryden’s fourth hat-trick for the club will have raised confidence as Neil Cugley’s side look to climb up the Ryman Premier League table.

All of Invicta’s walking wounded from Saturday – including Dryden – were passed fit to take their place in the squad and Invicta clearly had the bit between their teeth as they started strongly.

Dryden pulled a shot across goal from the left hand side of the box after four minutes following a great ball from Martin Chandler and the striker then shot narrowly wide of the far post, this time from the right hand side, from a Stuart Myall ball after six minutes.

Chandler couldn’t quite get the ball under control and goalkeeper Clark Masters was able to come out and gather from a Paul Jones through ball after 11 minutes and Dryden shot at Masters when Myall sent him racing away again after 13 minutes.

DRYDEN opened the scoring after 18 minutes when Chandler played the ball to Jones down the left hand side and the latter’s low cross from the left was slotted in from close range by his striking partner in the middle.

It was all Invicta as Dryden headed just wide at the far post from a deep Paul Lamb cross after 22 minutes in a move also involving Myall.

Slough had the ball in the net after 56 minutes but the ‘goal’ was ruled out by an assistant referee’s flag for a foul after home goalkeeper Tony Kessell had kept out Matt Seedel’s close range effort.

But Invicta continued to create chances as centre half John Guest headed over a Kevin Watson free kick after 58 minutes and Masters touched over a Chandler piledriver from outside the penalty area a minute later when Myall tee-d him up. Adam Flanagan’s header from Watson’s subsequent corner was then deflected just wide.

Slough’s Andy Bullard was booked for a bad tackle on Chandler which led to Invicta’s second goal in the 66th minute as Flanagan headed on the free kick and DRYDEN flicked the ball into the net.

Invicta were enjoying themselves and DRYDEN completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute when he lobbed goalkeeper Masters after being put through the middle by Micheal Everitt.

Dryden nearly struck again after 70 minutes but this time Masters got down to touch his fierce shot round the post for a corner after another Myall ball.

Myall himself had the ball in the net after 72 minutes but the ‘goal’ was ruled out for an infringement on the goalkeeper from Watson’s corner on the right.

Dryden warmed Masters’ hands again after 79 minutes with a shot from outside the penalty area following a Flanagan ball.

Invicta made three late substitutions, including a first senior outing for young defender Liam Friend, who had played for the youth team in their recent big game against Chipstead.

There was still time for a Myall shot to fly just wide of the Slough post during stoppage time.

Invicta’s Watson had been booked in the opening minutes.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Lamb (Friend 90 mins), Flanagan, Guest, Chandler (Lindsey 86 mins), M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden (Neilson 82 mins), Jones, Norman. Unused subs: J. Everitt, Mann.
SLOUGH TOWN: Masters, Carbon, Avery, Daly, Bullard (Millar 86 mins), Mason, Harris, McCrearey, West, Seedel, Woodruffe. Unused subs: Alexis, Lovegrove, Wilkinson, Parkin.


RM: 28.11.05 Attendance: 263.


RM: 26.11.05 - Harlow Town 2-1 Folkestone Invicta

Folkestone Invicta crashed out of the F. A. Trophy on Saturday on a miserable afternoon for the club away to Harlow when just about anything that could go wrong did in their Third Qualifying Round tie.

Invicta had to change what has become a settled starting line up as Paul Lamb pulled out on the morning of the game with flu and things got worse as James Dryden (dead leg), John Guest (ribs) and James Everitt (foot) all went off injured during the game.

The visitors even faced the embarrassment of finishing the game with ten men as they only had number two goalkeeper Kieron Mann available to come on when the younger Everitt brother was carried off after 84 minutes.

This was a disappointing performance from Invicta at a soulless ground where a running track between the supporters and the pitch did little for the atmosphere.

Harlow enjoyed the better of the first half and went on to win the game with two goals during the first 20 minutes of the second half before Steve Norman pulled a goal back direct from a free kick with five minutes remaining.

Invicta had a chance in the opening minutes when the ball bounced off James Everitt’s chest and across the Harlow goal. But most of the action was to be at the other end as Harlow had the wind in their favour.

Guest cleared off the line for Invicta after nine minutes when the visitors found themselves under pressure in their penalty area and the home side also had penalty appeals turned down.

At the other end, centre half Adam Flanagan headed just wide in the 13th minute from left back Kevin Watson’s free kick.

Marc Salmon shot just wide for Harlow after a corner from the left in the 21st minute and Austin Berkley’s shot from the left hand side of the box flashed just wide of the far post on the half hour mark.

Former Chelmsford man Berkley was causing Invicta problems and he let fly again after 35 minutes following a ball out to the left from Leon Lalite. And Watson blocked a Salmon shot, with Berkley heading over when the ball was played back into the middle a minute later.

Sammy Winston shot at goalkeeper Tony Kessell when Berkley played the ball into Kenny Davis following some trickery from Lalite down the left hand side after 38 minutes.

Both sides lost their number nines to injury in the urn up to half time as Dryden failed to shake off an early injury and was replaced by Joe Neilson, while Tobi Ositola replaced Winston for the home side.

Harlow had further chances during the first half stoppage time caused by Winston’s injury as Ositola played a dangerous ball across from the left and Invicta captain Scott Lindsey blocked a Lalite shot for a corner after another dangerous break from Ositola.

Micheal Everitt came on for Invicta a minute into the second half for Guest as Invicta went four at the back.

But it was Harlow who opened the scoring in the 50th minute with a good finish from SALMON after Kessell had made a good save to keep out a Lalite free kick.

Berkley then shot at goalkeeper Kessell a minute later following a run from Davis as the Essex side threatened again.

Micheal Everitt shot at goalkeeper Jamie Riley from outside the penalty area after 59 minutes.

But Harlow increased their lead in the 62nd minute when a quickly taken throw in from the left hand side took the visitors by surprise and substitute OSITOLA made it 2-0 when the ball was played across into the middle for him.

Invicta substitute Neilson showed good skill down the left hand side from a Watson ball and shot at goalkeeper Riley after 69 minutes as Invicta sought a lifeline.

At the other end, Davis headed just over from Berkley’s right wing cross after 74 minutes.

Invicta threw midfielder Stuart Myall further forward and he shot at goalkeeper Riley when the Folkestone side’s first corner of the game fell to him at the far post after 76 minutes.

Invicta were then unlucky after 78 minutes when a Micheal Everitt shot struck the crossbar from outside the penalty area.

Davis was close for Harlow from near the Invicta goal line after 82 minutes and substitute Gregg Williams also went close to making an instant impact as the ball came across to the far post from the left. James Everitt hurt his foot on the post during that incident and had to be helped off.

With Invicta down to ten men, NORMAN pulled a goal back after 85 minutes with his first goal for the club courtesy of a well-struck free kick.

A 90th minute Norman corner from the right was then cleared from close to the Harlow line as Invicta threatened to get out of jail.

Harlow’s Neil Moore and Invicta’s Martin Chandler were the game’s only bookings during stoppage time when a chandler foul led to retaliation from Moore and something of a free-for-all.

HARLOW TOWN: Riley, Moore, Hollenbach, Berkley (Williams 81 mins), Warren, Taylor, Lalite, Wraight, Winston (Ositola 44 mins), Davis, Salmon. Unused subs: Tague, May.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J Everitt, Watson, Flanagan, Guest (M. Everitt 46 mins), Lindsey, Chandler, Myall, Dryden (Neilson 40 mins), Jones, Norman Unused sub: Mann.

RM: 26.11.05 Attendance: 184.



RM: 21.11.05 - Folkestone Invicta 1-1 Chelmsford City

A 77th minute equaliser from striker Paul Jones rescued a point for Folkestone Invicta on a cold night at the Buzzlines Stadium after Chelmsford had taken the lead thanks to a speculative strike from Peter Smith after 14 minutes.

JONES planted a low shot into the net to salvage a point for the home side after playing a quality one-two with Stuart Myall.

Chelmsford had been the better side during the first half and opened the scoring when former Alma Swanley and Brighton player SMITH collected the ball from the left hand side and chipped the ball over goalkeeper Tony Kessell from 30 yards.

Moments earlier Craig Edwards had run through the middle and shot at Kessell as the visitors made a purposeful start.

Invicta responded to Chelmsford’s goal as a Myall shot flew over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area after 15 minutes.

Kessell was called into action again after 25 minutes when he came out to block a close range effort from Adrian Allen when Greg Lincoln played the ball in from the right.

Lincoln himself then had a half chance when Kessell pushed a cross from the left hand side back out.

Edwards shot at Kessell after 28 minutes and the same player then volleyed over from close range following a ball in from the right after 40 minutes.

Invicta came back into things during a second half which began with an icy wind and fog descending.

Striker Joe Neilson replaced defender James Everitt on the hour and Martin Chandler performed well when replacing captain Scott Lindsey after 67 minutes.

Kessell made a crucial save after 68 minutes to deny Richard Halle when Allen played the ball back.

And Invicta began to create chances of their own as a James Dryden shot was saved by goalkeeper Gavin King when Chandler played the ball across to the left hand side of the box after 74 minutes.

Jones’ equaliser followed and the striker then turned provider when he threaded the ball through to substitute Neilson but goalkeeper King rushed out to contest the ball with the teenager and was relieved to see the ball go out for a goal kick.

The ball then just eluded Dryden on the right hand side of the box a minute later as Invicta chased a winner.

There were bookings for Chelmsford’s Ronnie Watson (31 minutes) and captain Russell Edwards (45 minutes) for handball and dissent following free kick decisions to Invicta.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J Everitt (Neilson 60 mins), Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey (Chandler 67 mins), M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Jones, Norman. Unused subs: Watson, Sly, Mann.
CHELMSFORD CITY: King, Sobers, Haswell, Mangodza, Edwards, Lincoln, Smith (Holmes 83 mins), Edwards, Watson (Valdez 83 mins), Allen (Richards 73 mins), Halle. Unused sub: Lawler.


RM: 21.11.05 Attendance: 304.



RM: 19.11.05 - Braintree 3-0 Folkestone Invicta

Folkestone Invicta slumped to a 3-0 defeat away to in-form Braintree Town at Cressing Road on Saturday afternoon.

Centre forward Eugene Ofori put the home side in the driving seat with two goals in the opening 23 minutes and James Hawes completed the scoring towards the end of the second half.

Without influential suspended centre half Adam Flanagan, this was always going to be a tough test for Invicta against a Braintree side which is top of the current form charts and one of the championship favourites.

George Borg’s men have now won 15 and drawn two of their last 18 matches, with their solitary defeat since September 3rd coming 4-1 away to Shrewsbury Town in their F. A. Cup First Round tie on the same day Invicta were themselves acquitting themselves well at Chester.

Flanagan’s absence was to prove costly for Neil Cugley’s side as Invicta conceded two early goals from set pieces.

A 25-yard free kick from Brad Quinton flew just over the crossbar after just four minutes following a harsh free kick decision against John Guest.

The home side opened the scoring after eight minutes when OFORI headed powerfully into the net from Quinton’s free kick on the right following a foul by Steve Norman on Andy Porter.

James Dryden didn’t connect properly and shot tamely at goalkeeper Nick Morgan when Stuart Myall played the ball in from the right after 11 minutes.

But Morgan was not to be seriously tested all afternoon as Invicta made very little in-roads against the side with the best defensive record in the Ryman Premier League so far this season.

Ofori headed wide after another ball in from the right in the 15th minute.

And it was 2-0 after23 minutes when big right back Chris Wild headed a corner from the right against the post and OFORI pounced again to find the net from close range.

Invicta made a tactical change at half time as striker Joe Neilson replaced right back James Everitt and the visitors went four at the back.

Paul Lorraine hit a fierce free kick at goalkeeper Tony Kessell when captain Scott Lindsey caught Hawes let as he shot over from the edge of the penalty area after 51 minutes and Mark Jones shot just wide of the far post from the left hand side after 69 minutes.

HAWES increased Braintree’s lead after 73 minutes when he fired in from outside the penalty area when Kessell punched the ball out following a free kick on the left, with Invicta defender Guest still off the pitch having received treatment after committing the initial foul.

James Baker shot wide from the edge of the penalty area after 79 minutes as Braintree remained in the ascendancy.
BRAINTREE TOWN: Morgan, Wild, Jones, Adedeji, Lorraine, Quinton, Joseph (Burgess 80 mins), Porter (Agygmang 90 mins), Ofori (Toku 84 mins), Baker, Hawes. Unused subs: Robbie, Good.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J Everitt (Neilson 45 mins), Lamb, Watson, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt (Chandler 70 mins), Myall, Dryden, Jones, Norman. Unused subs: Friend, Hurley.


RM: 19.11.05 Attendance: 413.


RM: 15.11.05 - Tonbridge Angels 0-2 Folkestone Invicta

Goals from Paul Jones and Stuart Myall gave Folkestone Invicta a comfortable Kent Senior Cup victory in Tuesday night’s First Round tie away to Tonbridge Angels at the Longmead Stadium.

JONES opened the scoring after 26 minutes with an untidy goal when he smashed the ball into the net from close range after goalkeeper Jerome John had failed to collect when under pressure from visiting central defenders Adam Flanagan and John Guest after one-time Invicta left back Richard Ponsford had sky-ed the ball.

And MYALL made it 2-0 after 58 minutes when he slotted the ball home when Micheal Everitt played a low through ball to him in a good passing move started by captain Scott Lindsey.

Invicta welcomed defender Kevin Watson back into the starting line up in place of the unwell Steve Norman and the visitors were close after nine minutes when goalkeeper John back-peddled to touch over a Micheal Everitt shot when a low ball from Paul Lamb set up the chance.

Jones’ goal put Invicta in the driving seat and the striker shot at Jones after 33 minutes when a great crossfield ball from James Everitt sent him clear.

Loui Fazackerly shot just wide for Tonbridge from the right hand side after 34 minutes on a night when Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell did not have to make a noteworthy save.

Myall shot over from the edge of the penalty area for Invicta after 50 minutes when Tonbridge defender Lew Watts cleared following a spell of pressure from the Folkestone side.

Tonbridge were reduced to ten men after 76 minutes when Jay May received a straight red card for an elbow on Guest down the left hand side.

Invicta were close again after 89 minutes when John made a double save to first deny substitute Joe Neilson and then James Dryden in a move started by Lindsey.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS: John, Beales, Ponsford, Parkes, Aris, Watts (Cramp 74 mins), Fazackerly, Lye, Huggins (Powell 67 mins), Smith (Fatoba 67 mins), May. Unused subs: O’Neil, Kennet.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest (Neilson 78 mins), Lindsey, M. Everitt (Chandler 90 mins), Myall, Dryden, Jones (Sly 82 mins), Watson. Unused subs: Bower, Mann


RM: 15.11.05 Attendance: 224.



RM: 12.11.05 - Folkestone Invicta 5-3 Wealdstone

Folkestone Invicta through to the next round of the F. A. Trophy when goals from James Dryden (2), Stuart Myall, John Guest and Adam Flanagan made it home sweet home against former Wembley winners Wealdstone as their Second Qualifying Round tie turned into a goal feast at the Buzzlines Stadium.

Manager Neil Cugley had indicated in his programme notes that goals might well be on the agenda and he was proved right as Invicta raced into a 3-0 lead after 38 minutes before Wealdstone came right back into things with two goals in the closing five minutes of the first half.

Playing their first home match for a month after six consecutive away matches, Invicta threatened early on when a Steve Norman shot from just outside the penalty area was charged down following a Paul Lamb corner on the right.

Wealdsotne were close after 14 minutes with a looping header from Richard Jolly after 14 minutes when Ross White played in a free kick from the left.

But Invicta went straight up the other end and opened the scoring in the 15th minute when MYALL celebrated his 31st birthday by beating a defender and smashing the ball into the net after a great ball from Dryden.

It was 2-0 after 22 minutes courtesy of a virtuoso solo goal from DRYDEN when he cut in from the left hand side and poked the ball into the far corner of the net.

And Invicta appeared to be cruising when centre half GUEST made it 3-0 after 38 minutes when he bundled a Lamb free kick in at the far post on his 150th starting appearance for the club following a handball decision against White.

Wealdstone responded with a near post header from Jolly which was comfortably kept out by goalkeeper Tony Kessell after 39 minutes.

Invicta’s lead was reduced after 41 minutes when Jermaine BECKFORD hooked the ball in at the second attempt after Kessell had saved his initial effort following a cross from the right.

And Wealdstone hit back again as JOLLY stepped up to beat Kessell from the penalty spot following an infringement by Norman on Beckford in the 45th minute when White played a free kick into the box.

A Lee Holland shot was then charged down by Guest during first half stoppage time as the visitors threatened again.

Wealdstone came very close to an equaliser after 51 minutes when Holland nodded the ball on to Jolly and first Guest threw himself in the way to block and Kessell then made an acrobatic save as the ball just stayed out.

Substitute Philip Turner then headed narrowly wide at the far post when Jolly played the ball in after 53 minutes.

But Invicta defenders Guest and Flanagan were both close after 58 minutes when a Lamb corner from the right led to a scramble in the Wealdstone goal mouth after Paul Jones and James Everitt had combined down the right hand side.

A Jolly shot dipped over for Wealdstone on the hour from a Turner ball as the visitors broke. But Invicta were given breathing space again after 61 minutes when FLANAGAN scored from close range following a Lamb corner on the right.

Dryden headed just wide from close to the line when Lamb sent in another corner from the right after 73 minutes and goalkeeper Arron Benstead made a great save to deny Dryden after 76 minutes from a Jones ball in a move also involving Lamb and captain Scott Lindsey.

But DRYDEN struck again to restore Invicta’s three-goal advantage second later in the 77th minute when the ball was slid through to him

Wealdstone completed the scoring in the 80th minute when Graham MONTGOMERY let fly from the left and scored in off Kessell following a crossfield ball from Dave Ryan.

The visitors has further chances as Beckford chipped at Kessell when Lindsey gave the ball away in the 83rd minute and Turner chipped wide from the left hand side when Flanagan missed a clearance from Benstead.

But Invicta might have struck again when Jones shot on the turn at Benstead in the 84th minute after initially mis-controlling a Dryden ball and Benstead denied Jones during stoppage time.

Invicta also had the ball in the net again but this time Guest’s far post effort was ruled out.

There were bookings for Wealdstone’s White (kicking the ball away after a handball decision in the 57th minute) and Ryan (dissent after 83 minutes).

There was a minute’s silence before the game for Southern League chairman Doug Gillard who died last week after a short illness.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Jones, Norman. Unused subs: Neilson, Sly, Bower, Watson, Mann
WEALDSTONE: Benstead, Holland (Thompson 68 mins), Ashton (Smith 80 mins), White, Ryan, McDonald, Chappell, Montgomery, Beckford, Jolly, Burrell (Turner 45 mins) Unused subs: Lancaster, Christian.


RM 12.11.05 Attendance: 316.



RM: 07.11.05 - Fisher Athletic 4-2 Folkestone Invicta

Folkestone Invicta went out of the Westview (Ryman League) Cup when they went down 4-2 to Fisher Athletic in what turned out to be something of a thriller at Dulwich Hamlet’s Champion Hill Stadium on Monday night.

The home side raced into a 3-0 lead within the opening half hour before Invicta hit back to trail 3-2 through Paul Jones and substitute James Dryden, with Jones also missing a penalty between the visitors’ two goals.

Invicta fielded a stronger side than had been anticipated for this Third Round tie after their F. A. Cup exploits at Chester on Saturday, with goalkeeper Tony Kessell, centre half John Guest and the injured Martin Chandler the only absentees from Saturday’s squad.

That gave starting places to teenagers Kieron Mann, Will Dunlop and Joe Neilson, as well as the more experienced midfielders Scott Lindsey (captain) and Matt Bower.

But Invicta were soon in trouble as Charlie Hearn opened the scoring for Fisher in the sixth minute when Anthony Riviere played the ball back from the right hand side in a move started by captain Chris Piper.

The home side had further chances as goalkeeper Mann made a good save to deny Lenny Piper after 12 minutes when Chris Piper got down to the byeline on the right and Lenny Piper then hit a low shot narrowly wide of the far post two minutes later from the left hand side of the box when Riviere slid the ball through.

Fisher forced the game’s first corner after 18 minutes when Adam Flanagan blocked a Riviere shot and Hearn headed wide.

It was 2-0 in the 22nd minute when Damien Scannell converted a penalty harshly awarded for handball when Riviere combined again with Chris Piper down the right hand side and the latter’s subsequent cross struck Flanagan.

And it looked like being an uncomfortable night for Invicta when Hearn struck again to make it 3-0 after 28 minutes when Lenny Piper crossed from the left in a move also involving Scannell and Ben Walshe.

But Invicta started to have chances of their own as Neilson was played through down the middle after 35 minutes, only for goalkeeper James Pullen to save at the expense of the Folkestone side’s first corner. And from Paul Lamb’s subsequent set piece from the right Jones got in before Pullen to head home from close range.

Neilson then did well down the left hand side and Pullen had to touch away his cross from the left after 38 minutes and Stuart Myall was denied by a good Pullen save after 43 minutes when Jones played the ball through following a quick free kick from Bower.

There were chances at both ends after 48 minutes as James Everitt headed at Pullen from a deep Lamb cross and Dunlop got in before Lenny Piper to concede a corner when Walshe played the ball in from the left.

Chris Piper broke dangerously down the right again for Fisher after 50 minutes, but Steve Norman made a saving tackle and Scannell shot wide from outside the box.

Invicta then had three chances in as many minutes to get back into the game. First Jones’ penalty was saved by Pullen after 55 minutes when defender Jermaine Hinds fouled Neilson on the left hand side of the box.
Myall then hit a great strike just over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area after 56 minutes and Neilson was desperately close a minute later when he shot just wide of the far post after being sent away by James Everitt’s ball from the right.

At the other end, Norman came to Invicta’s rescue again when Scannell ran at the visiting defence after 63 minutes and substitute Hamid Barr’s shot rocked the Invicta crossbar when Scannell played the ball back after 68 minutes.

But Invicta set up an exciting finish when Dryden rifled the ball into the net in the 75th minute after he had nodded on a Norman free kick to Jones and latched onto a return pass.

Mann did well to keep out a fierce Barr shot after 83 minutes when the Fisher forward showed good footwork inside the penalty area, but Barr increased fisher’s lead in the 84th minute when he converted Walshe’s good ball in from the left.

Myall was close for Invicta after 87 minutes and a Dryden shot was deflected for a corner when substitute Micheal Everitt picked out Jones.

Mann then came out to save from Scannell after 89 minutes.

Invicta’s Flanagan was the game’s only booking for clattering into Scannell after 76 minutes.

Fisher Athletic: Pullen, C. Piper, Nugent, Hinds, Davis, Kirby, Riviere (Barr 45), Hearn (Smith 45), L. Piper (Burnett 74), Scannell, Walshe. Subs: Clancy, Duku.
Folkestone Invicta: Mann, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Dunlop (Dryden 65), Lindsey, Bower (M. Everitt 54), Myall, Neilson (Sly 77), Jones, Norman.


RM: 07.11.05: Attendance: 82.


RM: 05.11.05 - Chester 2-1 Folkestone Invicta

Folkestone Invicta's big F. A. Cup day out ended in gallant defeat as they went down 2-1 away to Division Two side Chester City in Saturday's First Round tie at the Saunders Honda Stadium after threatening an upset by leading 1-0 at half time following an early goal from Adam Flanagan.

Invicta's four coachloads of supporters made themselves heard throughout the game in a 2503 crowd and the players responded with a stirring performance that had the visitors dreaming of winning at least a replay.

As it was, Chester equalised thanks to a Michael Branch penalty after 54 minutes and won the game thanks to an excellent strike from Ryan Lowe after 70 minutes.

Invicta's players can be proud of their efforts on Saturday but left the field disappointed that they had not been awarded a free kick for an infringement on Steve Norman immediately prior to the penalty decision when James Everitt brought down the dangerous Ben Davies.

The equaliser came at a good time for the home side and gave Keith Curle's side plenty of time to press for a winner as Chester improved to turn the game around after the interval following what had been a wretched first half for the Coca-Cola League side.

Invicta could not have wished for a better opening 45 minutes as they opened the scoring and defended resolutely to turn up the heat on a Chester side which was booed off the pitch by home supporters at half time.

Neil Cugley's side opted for an unchanged starting line up on what was a good playing surface on what was a windy afternoon.

Midfielder Martin Chandler signalled Invicta's intent with an audacious 30-yard chip which threatened to take goalkeeper Chris MacKenzie by surprise with the first effort on goal in the fifth minute.

And Invicta's confidence will have risen when a Davies free kick from a dangerous position on the right hand edge of the box came to nothing after eight minutes when centre half John Guest brought down Lowe following a slip from Norman.

Invicta were then in dreamland after ten minutes when Chester goalkeeper MacKenzie made a mess of dealing with Paul Lamb's free kick from the right and the ball bounced off his chest and cannoned into the net off FLANAGAN.

It might not have been the prettiest of goals but it is one that will go down in Invicta folklore and one that was enjoyed again by supporters watching Match of the Day in Stripes Club upon their return to Folkestone after a six-hour journey home.

Chester were at sixes and sevens and a stretching James Dryden couldn't quite get on the end of a deep left wing cross from Lamb after 16 minutes.

Everything was going Invicta's way and Lowe shot well wide for Chester when put through after 20 minutes as the Folkestone side came out on top of what manager Neil Cugley had said would be an important opening period to the game.

Chester won the game's first corner after 27 minutes when Chandler headed away from close to his own goal line when the ball came across from the right.

And from the subsequent set piece, Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell made an excellent acrobatic one-handed save to keep out a Marcus Richardson header when Davies played the ball in.

But Chester hearts were in their mouths again after 32 minutes when Invicta forced their first corner of the game when a Stuart Myall free kick from the left just eluded James Everitt in the middle.

Chandler became the first of five Invicta bookings for taking a throw in awarded to Chester after 32 minutes and striker Paul Jones was cautioned two minutes later for catching David Artell.

Captain Branch cut in and shot wide for Chester from the edge of the box after 36 minutes, but the half ended with another error from MacKenzie as the home goalkeeper came out of his penalty area but gave the ball straight to Jones.

The second half began with a couple more bookings as first James Everitt went into referee Steve Dorr's notebook after 49 minutes and Branch then received a yellow card for a nasty challenge on Lamb two minutes later.

Chester simply had to improve during the second half and they were level after 54 minutes when James Everitt lunged in at Davies and former Everton, Wolves and England Under 21 international forward BRANCH stepped up to beat Kessell from the penalty spot.

The pressure was now on Invicta and Stewart Drummond headed wide following a cross from the right after 58 minutes.

At the other end, Dryden took the ball on and hit a low shot from outside the penalty area which was comfortably dealt with by MacKenzie after 64 minutes.

Chester were now the more likely winners and Kessell claimed a Carl Regan free kick from the left at the second attempt on his goal line after 68 minutes.

The winning goal came after 70 minutes when Artell headed the ball forward out of defence to allow LOWE to race clear of the defence down the middle and blast an unstoppable shot past Kessell.

Invicta responded by bringing on a third forward Joe Neilson in place of left back Lamb, but captain Micheal Everitt was to become the next booking after 76 minutes.

Chester could have added to their lead after 81 minutes when Kessell made a great save with his feet to deny substitute Abdou El Khoti when Davies played the ball in from the right hand side as Chester broke following an Invicta corner at the other end to leave the visiting defence stretched.

Invicta brought on teenager Ben Sly to replace James Everitt in the closing minutes as they finished the game with three at the back and four in attack as they tried to force a lucrative replay.

A third Chester goal would have been cruel on the visitors and Lowe shot over when the Invicta defence was stretched again during stoppage time.

There were late bookings for Invicta's Flanagan (scything tackle after 85 minutes) and Chester's Thomas Curtis (90 minutes).

Local MP Michael Howard joined chairman Bob Dix on the pitch to recognise the Invicta players' efforts after the game.

Chester's reward is a home Second Round game against either Nottingham Forest or Weymouth, the last tie to be drawn out on Sunday's televised draw.

CHESTER CITY: MacKenzie, Artell, Lowe, Davies (Vaughan 86 mins), Branch, Dimech, Regan, McNiven, Richardson (El Khoti 65 mins), Curtis, Drummond. Unused subs: Brookfield, Hessey, Bolland.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt (Sly 88 mins), Lamb (Neilson 75 mins), Flanagan, Guest, Chandler (Lindsey 79 mins), M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Jones, Norman. Unused subs: Bower, Mann.


RM: Attendance: 2503.




RM: 29.10.05 - Fisher Athletic 0-0 Folkestone Invicta


Folkestone Invicta showed how capable they can be of competing against the best in the Ryman Premier League by warming up for their big F. A. Cup First Round tie at Chester City with a hard fought goalless draw away to one of the championship favourites Fisher Athletic at Dulwich's Champion Hill Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

This was an ideal test for Invicta ahead of their big day out at Chester as they travelled to south London as underdogs and came away with an eighth clean sheet in their last 12 matches in all competitions. And Invicta might even have taken all three points with some chances late in the second half.

Invicta fielded an unchanged starting eleven despite having Scott Lindsey available again after a two match suspension as they faced a stern test against a strong Fisher side.

The visitors forced the first corner of the game when an underhit back pass from Francis Duke let Paul Jones in but goalkeeper James Pullen was able to save.

At the other end, Stuart Myall made a vital interception to cut out Fisher captain Chris Piper's cross when strikers Steve Watts and Hamid Barr combined down the right hand side. Charlie Hearn then missed from close range when Watts put the ball over from the right after 19 minutes and Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell saved with his feet as Fisher won their first corner of the game two minutes later when Barr tried to pick his spot from the left hand corner of the box.

Invicta had a good chance after 26 minutes when James Dryden shot wide after being put through by Paul Jones and given on-side in a move started by Myall.

Kessell then touched a low shot from Anthony Riviere round the post when the former Welling United star cut in from the right after 36 minutes following a forward run from Michael Smith.

Invicta captain Micheal Everitt shot over from the edge of the penalty area a minute later at the other end when Jones shrugged off big centre half Duke to win a throw in down the left hand side.

At the start of the second half, Fisher striker Leroy Griffiths failed to control the ball when Matthew Lovell's cross from the left fell to him and took him by surprise after 48 minutes.

Invicta centre half Adam Flanagan caused problems in the Fisher box after 50 minutes when he met a Steve Norman free kick and goalkeeper Pullen came out rashly.

But Pullen did very well to keep out a Dryden shot from the right hand side of the box after 52 minutes when Jones showed great touch to bring down John Guest's ball forward and set up the opening for his striking partner.

Jones himself was blocked in the area after 67 minutes when Myall threaded the ball through.

For Fisher, Watts headed at Kessell when Hearn played the ball in after 72 minutes and Kessell saved from Barr when he cut in from the left after 79 minutes.

Kessell's best save of the game came after 80 minutes when he got up to touch over a great 25-yard strike from Hearn.

But Invicta themselves had late chances as Jones couldn't quite force the ball in from close range when he was inches wide as Dryden played the ball over from the right hand side following a great ball from Martin Chandler. And Dryden himself blasted over from the edge of the penalty area when Jones played the ball across from the left a minute later.

FISHER ATHLETIC: Pullen, C. Piper, Lovell, Clancy, Duku, Hearn, Riviere, Smith, Griffiths (L. Piper 73 mins), Watts, Barr. Unused subs: Walshe, Nugent, Davis, Kirby.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Chandler (Lindsey 85 mins), M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Jones, Norman. Unused subs: Watson, Sly, Hurley.


RM: 29.10.05 Attendance: 152.



RM: 25.10.05 - Worthing 1-0 Folkestone Invicta


Folkestone Invicta went down to a narrow 1-0 defeat away to fourth-placed Worthing on Tuesday night as the home side took all three points thanks to a 78th minute winner from Richard Pacquette despite playing the final half hour with ten men.

The Rebels' captain Mark Cable had been sent off for violent conduct on the hour mark as all hell broke loose on the Invicta goal line when an almighty scramble led to a free-for-all involving numerous players from both sides Referee H. Lennard gave Cable his marching orders after consulting both assistants following the melee.

But the home side scored the decisive goal when striker PACQUETTE got the final touch from close range at a windy Victor Gladwish Stadium when Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell could not hold a shot from substitute Jamie Brotherton and Stafford Browne hit the subsequent rebound goalbound.

Invicta had kept the same starting line up which had won so well in the F., A. Cup at Aylesbury on Saturday. But the Folkestone side was again to come unstuck against a Worthing outfit which has become something of a bogey side, having now completed a Ryman Premier League double over Invicta for a second successive season.

During the early exchanges, Kessell parried a Pacquette shot after 12 minutes which had to be cleared to safety, whilst at the other end home goalkeeper Mark Ormerod touched a Stuart Myall shot round the post when Martin Chandler broke and found Paul Jones following a Worthing corner.

Ormerod got down to save a low Myall shot from outside the penalty area after 24 minutes and the ball was cleared from close to the Worthing line when Myall hit a free kick from the left hand edge of the penalty area after 38 minutes when a Kessell kick struck a Worthing hand.

James Dryden then shot at Ormerod in the middle of the box after 41 minutes when Jones held the ball up and played the ball across following Paul Lamb's forward pass down the left hand side.

The conditions favoured Invicta during the first half and Ormerod saved a hooked Dryden shot during stoppage time when centre half Adam Flanagan got forward to head on a Myall throw in from the right.

Matt Russell missed a good chance for Worthing after 50 minutes when he shot wide following a cross from the right.

The incident leading up to Cable's dismissal was the game's major talking point and Danny Davis fired just wide of the post following a run down the middle as the game settled down again somewhat after 75 minutes.

As well as Cable's dismissal, there were bookings for Worthing's Ben Andrews and Browne and for Invicta captain Micheal Everitt and Myall.

Invicta gave a late substitute appearance to Rob Knott as they chased a late equaliser, only his second senior run out for the club after also coming on as a substitute in last season's corresponding fixture away to Worthing.

WORTHING: Ormerod, Holmes, Knee, Lutwyche, Cable, Davis, Andrews, Pacquette, Francis (Alexander 68 mins), Russell (Brotherton 73 mins), Browne. Unused subs: Pullan, Charles, Leaver.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb (Knott 83 mins), Flanagan, Guest, Chandler, M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Jones, Norman. Unused subs: Watson, Sly, Mann.

RM: 251005 Attendance: 408.



RM: 22.10.05 - Aylesbury Utd 0 - 2 Folkestone Invicta


Two goals from record goalscorer James Dryden took Folkestone Invicta through to the First Round Proper of the F. A. Cup for the first time in the club's history where Neil Cugley's side will travel to meet Coca-Cola League Division Two side Chester City on Saturday November 5th.

Dryden scored one in each half to give Invicta a famous victory in Buckinghamshire on Saturday and then players and supporters alike watched on as the First Round draw was made live on television following the game.

The statistics make happy reading for an Invicta side which has now won eight of its last ten matches, with seven clean sheets along the way, and which has now become the first Folkestone side to reach the First Round of the F. A. Cup since the old club lost 5-2 away to Oxford United when current manager Cugley was centre forward in 1982.

Invicta were good value for their win on Saturday as DRYDEN opened the scoring after 17 minutes when Paul Jones shrugged off defender Greg Williams and pulled the ball back for his striking partner.

And DRYDEN struck again to calm any late nerves after 81 minutes when his cross-cum-shot when straight into the net after Stuart Myall had gone up with goalkeeper Jack Rashid.

Invicta had gone into the game with midfielder Martin Chandler making his first start of the season in place of suspended captain Scott Lindsey, with Micheal Everitt taking over as skipper.

Aylesbury had a couple of early chances as Tony Kessell saved from both top goalscorer Drew Roberts and Gavin Jaggard, the latter having been put through by Dean Powles.

But Dryden's goal was to give Invicta the ascendancy and their in-form back five something to defend, while the hard-working Dryden and Jones remained a constant threat in attack.

Kearns chipped over for Aylesbury, but Dryden called Rashid into action again and the visitors threatened once more at the end of the first half when a low James Everitt shot was touched wide by goalkeeper Rashid.

Invicta continued to create chances after the interval as Rashid had to save from Dryden and Myall then shot wide.

The Folkestone side could then have increased their lead when Myall struck the crossbar when he cut on from the left.

At the other end, Kessell denied Paul Edgeworth after 65 minutes.

The Ducks had penalty appeals turned down when Roberts went down in the box and also lost Powles to injury when he took a blow in the face.

Jamie Kearns shot at Kessell when put through, but the visitors continued to look dangerous and Myall shot wide with a good chance before Dryden's second goal was to put the seal on Invicta's victory.

Aylesbury's Edgeworth was the game's only booking in a game which marked Invicta left back Paul Lamb's 100th starting appearance for the club.

AYLESBURY UNITED: Rashid, Williams, Mead, McCafferty (Bewers), Hayward, Folds, Kearns (Roni), Powles (Lazarus), Jaggard, Roberts, Edgeworth. Unused sub: De Souza.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Chandler, M Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Jones, Norman. Unused subs: Watson, Sly, Knott, Dunlop, Mann.


RM Attendance: 646.

Aylesbury Photos are courtesy of Marc Atkins AUFC and can be purchased at
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RM: 18.10.05 - Whyteleaf 1-2 Folkestone Invicta


Folkestone Invicta won through Tuesday night's F. A. Trophy First Qualifying Round replay away to Whyteleafe thanks to goals from strikers James Dryden and Paul Jones and will now play at home to Wealdstone in the next round on Saturday November 12th.

DRYDEN opened the scoring after 14 minutes at Church Road when he thumped the ball into the net after centre half Adam Flanagan had nodded on Stuart Myall's throw in from the right.

Striking partner JONES made it 2-0 in the 55th minute when he knocked the ball in after Dryden had flicked on a Tony Kessell kick.

Dean Hamlin was booked for his protests after Invicta's second goal as the home side appealed for handball against Dryden and Welsh striker Andrew Martin was also booked for dissent two minutes later as the home side's frustration continued.

Invicta were comfortable winners on the night but their lead was reduced in the 90th minute when centre half John GUEST volleyed into his own net when Scott Simpson played the ball in from the left hand side.

The Folkestone side had required a late equaliser to avoid defeat in Saturday's 1-1 draw but Neil Cugley's side were quickly into their stride as both starting line ups remained unchanged from that initial meeting.

Whyteleafe goalkeeper James Wastell got across to his right to make a great save and keep out a Steve Norman piledriver from the edge of the box after five minutes when Myall took the game's first corner from the right hand side.

Dryden then didn't make full contact with a header when Norman himself played in another corner from the right after eight minutes.
And Dryden's opener confirmed Invicta's early ascendancy.

Whyteleafe were struggling to make in-roads during the first half, though Flanagan had to block from striker Martin on the edge of the penalty area after 22 minutes.

Invicta had two chances in the 33rd minute as first a Myall shot whistled past the post from the edge of the box after a Dryden touch and Dryden then turned his defender in the box and sent another shot goalbound, only for Wastell to save at the expense of a corner.

At the other end, a well-struck free kick from Simpson on the right hand side of the box was well held by Kessell after a foul on Martin. Martin blasted wide for Whyteleafe after 49 minutes when Bradley Drake played the ball in from the right.

But Jones' goal was to put Invicta in firm control.

Simpson hit another free kick at Kessell from the edge of the penalty area on the hour, but Guest's own goal was to come too late for Whyteleafe to save the day.

As well as the two bookings which followed Invicta's second goal, Whyteleafe defender Leigh Douce was booked for handball after 40 minutes when Jones broke and Invicta's Flanagan was booked for dissent after 53 minutes.

WHYTELEAFE: Wastell, Hamlin, T. Martin, Davenport, Douce, Sidwell, Taylor, Drake, Lock (Graham 70 mins), A. Martin, Simpson. Unused subs: Howard, Kember, Murray-Price.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt (Chandler 77 mins), Myall, Dryden, Jones (Sly 86 mins), Norman. Unused subs: Neilson, Mann.


RM: 18.10.05 Attendance: 103.



RM: 15.10.05 - Folkestone Invicta 1-1 Whyteleaf


An 82nd minute equaliser from James Dryden saved the day for Folkestone Invicta as they came back from a goal down to force a replay at home to Whyteleafe in Saturday's F. A. Trophy First Qualifying Round tie at the Buzzlines Stadium.

DRYDEN took full advantage when centre half Leigh Douce under-hit a headed back pass to goalkeeper James Wastell to rescue the home side after Adam Flanagan had headed the ball forward.

After a recent run of six wins in seven matches, Invicta had been expected to progress at the first attempt, but the Surrey side had not read the script and came to Folkestone full of attacking intent despite losing Richard Williams to injury during the warm up.

The visitors had opened the scoring after 52 minutes when former Wales Under 21 international Andrew MARTIN took the ball down well and planted a low shot into the net following a ball from Lee Sidwell.

Whyteleafe threatened to restore their lead a minute after Dryden's equaliser but Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell made a vital double save to first deny substitute Gareth Graham and then Bradley Drake with an incredible save.

Douce then headed the subsequent corner from the left hand side over the crossbar as he looked to make up for his part in the Invicta goal.

Kessell saved again from Drake in the 85th minute after Lewis Taylor's ball down the right hand side.

Goalscorer Martin then shot over from close range after 85 minutes as Whyteleafe went for a winner.

But Invicta themselves could have stolen it as a shot from substitute Ben Sly was deflected for a corner when Flanagan headed the ball on again in the 87th minute.

A combination of John Guest and Dryden then couldn't quite force the ball over the line at the far post from Paul Lamb's corner on the right.

And there was controversy in the 90th minute when both Invicta striker Dryden and Whyteleafe defender Dean Hamlin were booked for squaring up to each other after Invicta had penalty appeals turned away.

The chances had come right from the start as Drake shot across the Invicta goal after just 27 seconds at one end and Wastell made a great second minute save at the other end to keep out Stuart Myall's far post header when Dryden played the ball in from the right.

Scott Simpson then shot over for Whyteleafe with an eighth minute free kick from the right hand side of the box and for Invicta a Dryden shot was cleared off the line by a defender two minutes later when Myall played the ball in from the left.

Taylor then blasted over for Whyteleafe after 13 minutes when he did not make the most of his chance as Simpson's cross from the left fell to him.

Dryden did not get enough power on his shot and Wastell was able to save after 21 minutes when Myall's throw form the right fell to the striker and another Dryden shot was then blocked after 33 minutes as the stalemate continued.

Invicta made tactical changes at half time as striker Joe Neilson replaced midfielder Scott Lindsey, with Micheal Everitt taking over the captain's armband on the eve of his 23rd birthday.

Centre half Flanagan was pushed forward into a more advanced role during the second half as Invicta's situation became increasingly desperate.

Whyteleafe continued to cause problems as Flanagan tackled Simpson in the box after a ball from Kevin Lock in the 48th minute and Micheal Everitt blocked from Lock himself after 50 minutes.

A 25-yard shot from Tony Martin then flew just over the Invicta crossbar prior to Martin's opener. Drake then headed over from Simpson's corner on the right after 58 minutes.

Invicta had chances of their own as Paul Joes mis-fired from the right hand side when substitute Neilson did well to take the ball down and create an opening.

Guest then headed at goalkeeper Wastell following Lamb's corner from the right after 78 minutes.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt (Chandler 70 mins), Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey (Neilson 45 mins), M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Jones (Sly 85 mins), Norman. Unused subs: Dunlop, Mann.
WHYTELEAFE: Wastell, Hamlin, T. Martin, Davenport (Howard 83 mins), Douce, Sidwell, Taylor, Drake, Lock, A. Martin, Simpson (Graham 76 mins).


RM: 15.10.05 Attendance: 265.



RM: 11.10.05 - Walton & Heysham 0-3 Folkestone Invicta


Folkestone Invicta stretched their impressive recent run to six wins and six clean sheets from their last seven matches as goals from strikers Paul Jones (2) and James Dryden gave Neil Cugley's side their biggest win of the season so far at Stompond Lane on Tuesday night.

Invicta were in total control during the first half when they established a two-goal lead and were 3-0 up soon after half time to record a comfortable victory against a Walton & Hersham side which had been unbeaten in their previous eight Ryman Premier League matches going back to August.

Fielding an unchanged starting eleven, Invicta had the first real near miss of the game when a Stuart Myall free kick from the left was sliced past his own post by a home defender for the game's first corner after five minutes. Centre half John Guest met Paul Lamb's subsequent set piece at the far post but goalkeeper Nick Gindre was able to keep the header out.

Guest was to be involved in all of Invicta's significant attacking moments during the first half and can claim assists for the opening two goals.

It was Guest who played the ball forward to set JONES free to race clear of the home defence after 23 minutes and the striker hit a clinical finish past Gindre to open the scoring with his second goal in successive games.

Goalkeeper Gindre then touched the ball over the far post for a corner when Guest met Lamb's deep free kick from the left hand side after 31 minutes.

It was 2-0 after 37 minutes when DRYDEN belted the ball into the net via the crossbar from close range after Guest had met Myall's corner from the left at the far post.

Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell finally had to make a real save after 49 minutes when he first kept out a Sam Keevill shot and then Tristan Frontin's subsequent header.

But the visitors went down the other end and increased their lead a minute later when the ball broke to JONES and he found the corner of the net with a sweet strike from the edge of the box.

Invicta were enjoying themselves as Dryden showed great touch but couldn't quite find the net when he played the ball across goal from the left hand side after 57 minutes when captain Scott Lindsey picked him out after Jones had done very well to bring the ball down.

Walton rallied as Kessell had to get up to keep out substitute Will Jenkins' header when Neil Lampton played the ball in from the left after 61 minutes.

The home side did have the ball in the net after 70 minutes, but Baz Savage's 'goal' was ruled out by an assistant referee's flag when he shot into the net after Frontin had struck the post following a cross from the left.

Frontin volleyed wide as Walton sought some kind of consolation after 75 minutes and Savage headed just wide following a corner from the left after 83 minutes.

Kessell then saved with his feet to deny Sean Thurgood after 89 minutes when substitute Lee Riddell played a corner in from the right.

The final corner count of 13-3 in the home side's favour was more a reflection of their pressure at 3-0 down in the final half hour than on the overall balance of a game which went as well as Invicta could have hoped for.

WALTON & HERSHAM: Gindre, Thurgood, Allum, Lavender (Jenkins 55 mins), Reive, Frontin, Lampton, Keevill, Edgar (Nwokeji 52 mins), Savage, Cartwright (Riddell 63 mins). Unused subs: Haylock, Blake.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt (Chandler 69 mins), Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt (Neilson 86 mins), Myall, Dryden, Jones (Sly 89 mins), Norman. Unused subs: Watson, Mann.


RM: 11.10.05 Attendance: 173.



RM: 08.10.05 - Folkestone Invicta 2-0 Staines Town


Folkestone Invicta equalled their best ever run in the F. A. Cup when first half goals from Adam Flanagan and Paul Jones gave them victory over a much-fancied Staines Town side at the Buzzlines Stadium on Saturday afternoon and a fifth clean sheet in six matches ensured that there was to be no way back for the visitors.

Centre half FLANAGAN opened the scoring after 21 minutes when he smashed the ball into the net from close range after goalkeeper Shaun Allaway had saved a re-taken James Dryden free kick, Micheal Everitt played the ball back in form the right hand side and big Fiston Manuella hooked the ball off the line.

The free kick had been re-taken for encroachment and Staines captain Danny Gordon was booked after Dryden's initial set piece strike had dipped just over the crossbar, with Staines' Dwayne Plummer off the pitch to put on his correct number ten shirt.

JONES made it 2-0 during first half stoppage time when he headed in his first goal since the opening day of the season after Flanagan had nodded the ball on.

Staines enjoyed the bulk of possession after the interval without reducing the deficit and Invicta were able to enjoy a relatively comfortably victory, though captain Scott Lindsey was sent off for foul and abusive language after 89 minutes.

Invicta went into the game with an unchanged line up and Dryden shot at goalkeeper Allaway from outside the penalty area after three minutes.

At the other end, a low shot from Andr‚ De Lisser flashed across goal from the right hand side after 14 minutes.

Staines responded after Flanagan's opener as Jake Newton stole in and blasted over when Steve Norman blocked his initial shot after 25 minutes.

Newton then showed good footwork inside the box from a Plummer ball after 32 minutes, but goalscorer Flanagan was there to block.

For Invicta, hard-working striker Jones did well to hold the ball up when Lindsey played it over the defence and forced a save from goalkeeper Allaway, with Marien Ifura there to clear for the game's first corner after 35 minutes.

Flanagan had another chance after 43 minutes when he headed Paul Lamb's corner from the right wide at the far post.

But Jones' goal right on half time was to give Invicta breathing space.

Staines rallied after half time and Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell touched over the crossbar from Plummer when Clement James' cross from the left came off Flanagan's head after 50 minutes.

Vastly experienced substitute Craig Maskell then didn't make the most of his chance when Manuella played the ball in after 58 minutes.

Jones was well wide with an attempted lob when the ball broke to him after 63 minutes, whilst at the other end Norma blocked when Tariq Nabil took the ball on and shot from the edge of the penalty area.

37-year-old Staines player/assistant-manager Maskell blasted over at the far post after 70 minutes when James went past James Everitt down the left flank and his cross eluded Flanagan.

Manuella headed over from close range when Maskell played the ball in from the left after 86 minutes.

Jones then whipped in a cross from the left during stoppage time but the consistent Norman was there to clear at the far post.

Invicta defender John Guest (kicking the ball away after nine minutes) and Staines' Michael Murphy (dissent after 72 minutes) were also booked as none of the game's cards came from fouls.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden (Neilson 89 mins), Jones (Glover 89 mins), Norman. Unused subs: Dunlop, Chandler, Mann.
STAINES TOWN: Allaway, Gordon, Murphy (McDonald 79 mins), Ifura (Muldowney 54 mins), Flitter, Newton, De Lisser, Manuella, Nabil, Plummer (Maskell 54 mins), James. Unused subs: Browne, Williams.

RM: 08.10.05 Attendance: 337.
Photo: LA & CA

Flanagan receives Man of the Match award from sponsors KAP.



RM: 03.10.05 - Folkestone Invicta 1-0 East Thurrock Utd


Record goalscorer James Dryden achieved another personal milestone when his 100th goal for the club was enough to give Folkestone Invicta a much-needed win over East Thurrock United at the Buzzlines Stadium on Monday night.

DRYDEN reached his century to break the deadlock just 37 seconds after half time when he fired home after the ball had broken loose on the edge of the penalty area as supporters were still making their way back to the terraces.

The 25-year-old striker's goal was enough to give Invicta their fourth 1-0 win in five matches and put the club back on track after Saturday's 5-0 drubbing at Harrow.

Dryden had been an injury doubt before the game and passed a late fitness test on his back before going on to end a run of five matches without a goal after being like a cricketer stuck on 99 runs.

This was a typically hard fought Ryman Premier League encounter in which clear cut chances were few and far between as Invicta returned to their defensive best after leaking goals at Harrow.

John Guest returned from suspension and Steve Norman also passed a late fitness test after going off injured at Harrow to form a three-man central defensive partnership with Adam Flanagan.

And the home side also had goalkeeper Tony Kessell to save for a miraculous 60th minute save to deny Danny Harris from close range when Lee Burns played the ball in from the right.

Invicta started strongly as Dryden shot wide in the third minute and a Paul Lamb free kick from the right ricocheted back into hands of big goalkeeper Mark Hardingham after eight minutes.

At the other end, big striker Harris shot wide from the edge of the penalty area after 12 minutes.

With half time approaching, the ball ran away from Harris when Stuart Williams played him through after 39 minutes and a fierce shot from Jon Turnball was charged down by Invicta defender Guest after 42 minutes.

As with Invicta's previous home game against Billericay one goal always looked like being decisive and again it was to be the Folkestone side who were to score it after the interval at the cricket end.

The visitors responded to Dryden's goal and put Invicta under pressure as Kessell made his wonder save and Harris then appealed in vain for handball when his shot hit a defender and went out for a corner when Burns pulled the ball back after 65 minutes.

A Dean Palmer shot deflected for a corner from the edge of the area after 81 minutes, whilst at the other end Dryden curled a shot at Hardingham after 87 minutes following a Stuart Myall throw from the right.

As the game went into stoppage time, Invicta's James Everitt was booked for a foul in a central position and Turnball poked his shot wide when Palmer's initial free kick was charged down.

Guest had earlier been booked for a fourth minute foul.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Jones, Norman. Unused subs: Glover, Dunlop, Neilson, Chandler, Mann.
EAST THURROCK UNITED: Hardingham, Williams (Cooper 76 mins), Harrison (Hayzelden 72 mins), Stanbrook, Palmer, Cole, Burns, Turnball, Harris, Boot, Holding. Unused subs: Grimes, Riley.


RM: 031005 Attendance: 251.


RM: 01.10.05 - Harrow Borough 5 - 0 Folkestone Invicta


Folkestone Invicta crashed to their heaviest defeat since joining the Ryman League when they went down 5-0 away to Harrow Borough at Earlsmead on Saturday afternoon.

Teenage substitute Jonathan Constant was the star of the day with a second half hat-trick as things went from bad to worse for Invicta after they had conceded two goals in the final five minutes of the first half.

Having won three games 1-0 in eight days, Invicta had hoped to have turned the corner after a slow start to the season, bit this result will have come as a bolt from the blue and set the alarm bells ringing again.

The Folkestone side had gone into the game without suspended centre half John Guest who had to sit out the game despite having his red card at Hampton overturned by the referee. With Kevin Watson not fully recovered from his thigh injury to come in as a straight replacement for Guest, the visitors reverted to a four-man defence.

An early injury to in-form defender Steve Norman was not to help Invicta's cause on what turned into a sorry afternoon.

On the plus side, Invicta welcomed back striker Paul Jones after four games out with a hamstring injury.

It had been an even opening to the game as striker James Dryden hit a free kick past the post for Invicta and goalkeeper Tony Kessell made saves from both Elliot Onochie and Daniel Blanchett at the other end.

Stuart Myall hit a fierce shot just over the crossbar for Invicta after 27 minutes following a corner and Jones shot against the top of the crossbar after 38 minutes.

Kessell saved from Victor Asombang and an Asombang cross then just eluded Onochie in a move started by James Bent.

It was ASOMBANG who opened the scoring in the 42nd minute when he found the net despite Kessell getting a hand to his shot as Ross Fitzsimon played the ball back in after his initial corner had been cleared.

Asombang soon had to leave the field with a leg injury and 17-year-old substitute Constant was to come on and make a name for himself.

Onochie was close with a header from a Fitzsimon free kick after the latter had himself been fouled from a Constant ball.

And BENT made it 2-0 during first half stoppage time when he converted a Constant cross after the youngster had broken down the right hand side and played the ball across.

Kessell was called into action again soon after the interval when Danny Leech combined with Constant.

And it was 3-0 in the 49th minute when CONSTANT was given on-side and ran through to score from a Marvin Neufville through ball which was dummied by Onochie.

Invicta replaced the injured Norman with substitute Joe Neilson, with captain Scott Lindsey dropping back to centre half.

But CONSTANT struck again in the 55th minute when Daniel Nielsen sent Onochie away to cross from the right.

Kessell temporarily denied Constant his hat-trick with a near post save and Fitzsimon shot past the post following a corner.

At the other end, Gary Ross got down to keep out a Dryden shot, the Harrow goalkeeper making his first appearance of the season in place of suspended regular Keita Karamoko.

Invicta gave a first senior outing to teenage substitute Ben Sly as a late replacement for Simon Glover.

Kessell did well to save from Leech following a Fitzsimon pass, but CONSTANT completed the scoring after 81 minutes when he curled the ball in following good work from fellow substitute Howard Newton.

Paul Lamb shot over as Invicta sought a consolation goal, but substitute Daniel McGonigle was over for Harrow late on when Constant turned provider.

Invicta's James Everitt was the game's only booking after 49 minutes on an afternoon when elder brother Micheal was making his 150th starting appearance for his hometown club.

HARROW BOROUGH: Ross, Nielsen, Blanchett, Walters, Neuville, Fitzsimon, Bent (McGonigle 77 mins), Leech, Onochie (Newton 66 mins), Asombang (Constant 45 mins), Lopez. Unused subs: Lamb, Nicholson.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, J. Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Norman (Neilson 52 mins), Lindsey, M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Glover (Sly 77 mins), Jones. Unused subs: Rainbow, Hurley.

RM: 021005 Attendance: 147.

End of Season/April 2005 Matches click here