Tonbridge Angels 1-2 Folkestone Invicta

Folkestone Invicta enjoyed a morale-boosting win at Tonbridge Angels’ Longmead Stadium on Tuesday night as a late Roland Edge free kick restored their lead just after the home side had looked like saving the day with an equaliser in the last ten minutes.

Kevin Watson had earlier opened the scoring from the penalty spot midway through the first half after Leigh Bremner had been brought down by home goalkeeper Matt Reed.

After three successive home defeats so far this season, Invicta again produced their better form for their travels as Neil Cugley’s side ended Tonbridge Angels’ own unbeaten home record for the season.

Bremner’s all-action style and ability to play with his back to goal made him a real handful for the home defence who at times did not seem to have an answer on how to deal with him.

It was Bremner who chased down a back pass which led to Reed bringing him down and WATSON converting Invicta’s 26th minute penalty.

Invicta will have been disappointed not to have added to their lead before half time as they had several other chances before the interval.

And the visitors defended resolutely after the interval as they threw bodies in the way of the ball to protect their lead as Tonbridge stepped up the pressure.

Scott KINCH finally broke Invicta’s stubborn resistance in the 84th minute when he scored from close range after Richard Harris’ cross from the left.

But Invicta were not to be denied the three points as captain EDGE’s free kick beat the wall and flew into the corner of the net from a dangerous position right on the edge of the penalty area following a foul on Bremner in the 86th minute.

There was still time for one last Tonbridge surge but James Everitt and Mark Saunders doggedly threw themselves in the way and injured themselves in the process as they kept the ball from crossing the line when Kinch met Kurt Husnu’s cross from the left at the far post in a move started by Jon Main.

Invicta had started well and had a good early chance when James Corbett fired over in the fifth minute after being put clear through the middle by Bremner.

Corbett forced Invicta’s first corner of the game from goalkeeper Reed five minutes later when Frankie Chappell sent a free kick forward and Bremner fired over when Watson headed the ball back in following the subsequent set piece.

At the other end, Invicta goalkeeper Kieron Mann saved from Main in the 15th minute when the Tonbridge danger man was played in down the left hand side of the penalty area.

A deep cross from the left was headed just wide across goal by Tonbridge striker Ray Powell after 24 minutes, but Invicta were soon to take the lead at the other end.

It was looking good for the visitors as they attacked again after 33 minutes, but Damian Abel did not make the most of his chance when Saunders threaded the ball through down the right hand side.

For Tonbridge, Main was wide at the far post after 36 minutes when Kinch headed the ball back across goal at the far post after Powell had played the ball back to Main on the left.

But Invicta were close again themselves three minutes later when Reed made a great save to deny Watson when Saunders played the ball up to the hard-working Bremner.

A Bremner shot was then blocked by defender Jon Heath in the 42nd minute when Abel played the ball out to the right hand side and Bremner was wide with a free header when a James Everitt cross provided Invicta with another clear chance a minute later.

Bremner was then pulled back when Micheal Everitt sent him away during first half stoppage time and Watson’s subsequent free kick at Reed threatened to find its way in right on half time.

Tonbridge enjoyed their best spell of the game just after half time when Husnu came on for Heath at left back.

Mann raced out and collided with Powell following a ball over the Invicta defence in the 48th minute and Saunders cleared in the middle when Main put in a dangerous cross from the left hand side two minutes later.

Tonbridge kept up the pressure as Kinch nodded the ball on to Main after 53 minutes and Kinch then headed wide from a Hamid Barr free kick on the left a minute later.

Main was wide when he met a Fraser Logan cross from the left after 56 minutes and Logan then had a shot blocked when Barr combined with Powell two minutes later.

Powell’s inviting ball in from the left was cleared by centre half Liam Friend in the 70th minute and Mann made a good save from Jon Beales following the subsequent corner on the left.

Invicta’s Watson let fly from 25 yards as his shot flew wide in the 75th minute after Corbett broke when Micheal Everitt won the ball at the other end.

Tonbridge went three at the back for the closing stages as they chased the game and pushed centre half Harris into attack.

Main missed a gilt-edged chance to equalise in the 83rd minute when a Barr ball from right to left set him up.

The two late goals added to the drama and Invicta will be hoping that this result has put their season back on track.

TONBRIDGE ANGELS: Reed, Parkes (Donovan 78 mins), Heath (Husnu 45 mins), Kember, Harris, Beales, Barr, Kinch, Powell, Main, Logan (Storey 61 mins).  Unused sub: Martin.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Mann, J. Everitt, Edge, Watson, Friend, Chappell, M. Everitt, Saunders, Bremner (Okikiolu 85 mins), Abel (Briggs 72 mins), Corbett (Remy 90 mins).  Unused subs: Sly, Stonebridge.