Kingstonian 2-0 Folkestone Invicta

Folkestone Invicta's relegation from the Ryman Premier League was confirmed as they again came away empty-handed as two second half goals gave play-off chasing Kingstonian victory at the Kingsmeadow Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Invicta were again far from disgraced but cannot now move out of the bottom four this season and will return to Division One South, from where they were promoted via the play offs last season despite having ten points deducted.

Full back Tom Bird broke the deadlock direct from a 65th minute free kick and substitute Dean Lodge made it 2-0 deep into stoppage time.

Invicta had held their own until left back BIRD's strike from the right hand edge of the penalty area after a dummy by Sam Clayton when Invicta central defender Liam Friend was booked in conceding the free kick.

Home supporters were still anxious when five minutes of stoppage time were announced but LODGE made the points safe when he went round goalkeeper Jack Delo to score after being put through by Bobby Traynor in a move started by Antonio Gonnella.

Gonnella and fellow former Invicta player Allan Tait had come on as second half substitutes for Kingstonian after short spells with the Folkestone club earlier this season.

Invicta had gone into the game with their now regular starting eleven and a James Everitt shot was blocked by home right back Max Hustwick in the early skirmishes.

At the other end, Bird shot wide across goal in the sixth minute after a run down the left hand side.

Kingstonian's Simon Huckle was booked for an early late challenge on Invicta captain Micheal Everitt as the home side struggled to get into their stride.

Invicta have a good record at Kingsmeadow having won 5-1 here in April 2005 with James Dryden scoring four goals when Kingstonian themselves were relegated from the Ryman Premier League.

Dryden also scored in a 1-1 Division One South game in November 2008 and Invicta's record goalscorer's looping header from the edge of the penalty are was touched over the crossbar by home goalkeeper Rob Tolfrey after a 17th minute Liam Dickson cross from the left.

Tolfrey then held Josh Burchell's corner from the right and launched a break from which Clayton side-footed the over after running down the right and playing the ball over to Paul Vines on the left.

Friend blocked a 19th minute Traynor shot after Bird and Clayton combined down the left in a move also involving Huckle and Vines.

Invicta's Dickson then shot wide from the left hand side five minutes later as Invicta continued to make in-roads.

A 30th minute ball in from Roland Edge on the right hand side of the penalty area was just missed by Frankie Chappell from close range in the middle when the ball cannoned off Micheal Everitt in the middle.

But there was a let off for Invicta in the 32nd minute when striker Vines got through down the right hand side and lobbed the ball against the post when he seemed set to open the scoring.

Invicta were then given a free kick when they wanted an advantage as the game opened up.

A 35th minute Josh Vincent free kick was headed on by Burchell and centre half Tom Hutchinson made a tackle on James Everitt inside the penalty area.

Vines then had another chance to break the deadlock in the 38th minute when Huckle and Clayton exchanged passes down the right and crossed to the far post where Vines blasted over when under pressure from Vincent and the striker was hurt colliding with the post.

Kingstonian centre half Gary MacDonald was booked for a 40th minute foul on Darren Smith down the right and was then lucky to stay on the pitch when referee Ben Wright penalised him for an aerial challenge on James Eveirtt and indicated a use of the elbow but did not produce another card.

Kingstonian goalkeeper Tolfrey had recovered in the 43rd minute when he mis-cued and Burchell threatened to capitalise.

Smith shot over from the right hand side of the penalty area in the 48th minute after a Vincent through ball.

Friend then ran out of defence in the 50th minute and found smith on the right hand side whose cross to James Everitt and Burchell eventually saw the Invicta players crowded out as Invicta continued to look comfortable.

Tolfrey just about claimed the ball when James Everitt threatened to get on the end of a long Dryden thro from the right at the far post.

Hutchinson then became the third Kingstonian player to be booked for a bad 57th minute challenge on James Everitt.

Kingstonian needed to do something and eventually brought on the always dangerous Lodge.

Captain Bashiru Alimi headed wide with a good 59th minute chance from a Traynor ball in after a Bird throw in down the left.

Vines sent Lodge away down the left three minutes later for the substitute's first real opening but Friend was there to clear in the middle.

But Bird's set piece was to break Invicta's resistance.

An 80th minute Luke Webb corner was met by fellow Invicta substitute Gary Lockyer but the header flew harmlessly across goal.

Tait, who had injured a foot in training, then shot wide from the right hand edge of the penalty area after a break that saw Huckle play the ball up to Lodge.

Invicta remained very much still in the game and a swerving 25-yard Vincent shot during stoppage time flew just wide across goal.

Invicta substitute Ramon Whorms was booked for a stoppage time nudge on Tait.

Kingstonian were waiting for the final whistle but created further chances of their own as Tait cut inside after receiving the ball from Traynor but Delo came out to save.

Lodged, though, was to increase the lead deep into stoppage time to pile more misery onto luckless Invicta.

Invicta's relegation has come after a run of ten matches without a win since a 4-0 home victory over Maidstone United had briefly raised hopes of survival and just two wins in their last 24 matches in all competitions since an impressive 2-0 win at Margate.

The Folkestone side has not been far away from holding their own at this level having remained competitive in the vast majority of their fixtures but have ultimately failed to score enough goals or win enough games.

Their relegation was confirmed at one of the best stadiums at this level before a return to Division One South beckons.

KINGSTONIAN: Tolfrey, Hustwick, Bird, MacDonald, Hutchinson, Huckle, Clayton (Gonnella 70 mins), Harkin (Lodge 57 mins), Traynor, Vines (Tait 80 mins), Alimi. Unused subs: Ordoño, Taylor.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Delo, Vincent, Burchell (Webb 67 mins), Friend, Chappell, Edge, M. Everitt, Dickson, J. Everitt, Dryden (Whorms 81 mins), Smith (Lockyer 74 mins). Unused subs: Guiver, Hulme.

Attendance: 352.