Disability side European Champs

Folkestone Invicta travelled to Ghent with high hopes.  They came back with the winners trophy plus the 2nd team came 4th and won the Penalty Shootout Cup.

Folkestone Invicta won all but one of their group games which they drew.  Goals from Damian Barnett, John Thornton, Troy Harding and James Leferve,
beating Pitbulls  5  -  0,  Stropkes 2 - 0, Walcheren 2 - 0, F.C Kompas 3 - 0 Dauwendaele 3 - 1, drawing Denderboys 0 - 0, this got them into the final against Denderboys F.C.

This took place on the smaller pitch.  Invicta started well putting their Belgium opponents under pressure with their fast passing game.  The final ball let them down, the Belgians
a couple of chances which Peter Lee dealt with the game heading towards penalties.  Stuart Law pushed forward as a target man and when Ricky Burden was fed out wide, Law
dummied Burden's strike and it flew into the net sending the  Folkestone contingent wild, with seconds left Denderboys kicked off and were forced back and the whistle went to
start the celebrations.

Team I:  P. Lee, T Harding, J. Lefevre, D. Barnett, R. Burden, J. Thornton & S. Law

Folkestone Invicta II missed out on the final by +1 goal difference

They won F.C Kompas 1 - 0, Dauwendaele  2 - 0, Walcheren 1 - 0,  drew Stropkes 0 - 0, Pitbulls 0 - 0 LosingFolkestone Invicta I   3 - 0, Denderboys 2 - 1

This went to the last group game against Denderboys who took an early lead from a corner but Invicta pushed and got an equaliser, when Wilson fired home from close range.  They were denied the draw that would of got them to the final by a dubious free kick seconds from the end that deflected in.   Invicta II picked up three injuries which told in the third / fourth play off on the bigger pitch which they lost 1 - 0 to Dauwendaele.  Invicta II goalscorers were Jason Hughes, Tom Chambers, John Lewis & Geraint  Wilson.

Team II:  S. Lake, J. Bell, D. Stephens, P. Shilling, G. Wilson, J. Hughes, J. Lewis, T. Chambers

Folkestone Invicta II however made up for that disappointment by winning the Penalty Shootout Cup where they were the only team to score 3 out of 3 against a semi Professional Keeper in a nine a side goal.  Penalty takers, T. Chambers, S. Lake & J. Hughes.

This was a great trip and the players were praised by their Belgium Hosts for their fairplay and behaviour.  They have also invited us back next year. If we can find the finances we would love to go and defend it, also would love to bring a side to Folkestone.

We would like to thank The De Hann Charitable Trust and Shepway District Council for their backing, also Mark Wood and Eckfords Travel for taking us, plus Academy F.M for their support