Full-time score: Folkestone 0 Faversham 2 (Kingy and Willo).
What a performance!
Everybody was superb but a special mention for Will (I think he is 19), on what I think was, his first cleansheet with us. He certainly has deserved one because he hasn't done much wrong since he joined.
Dan (who is 19) again was outstanding - even when asked to drop into defence today having recently played in midfield and Josh McCallum (20) was simply unbelievable on his first league start.
I think you also have to give credit to the likes of Maxted, Cooper, Bourne and Scarborough - who was supporting the boys from the stands today - for their respective roles in helping the youngsters settle into the team.
After a pretty petty remark on Folkestone's website about them expecting us to bring no more than three fans today, we managed to work out on the way home that there were 28 fans I saw and recognised, plus those we didn't recognise/didn't see (and Scarborough in the crowd). Admittedly, that's not up to the level Folkestone bring away but is a lot better than most in the league would take to an away game.
Keeping on the topic of Folkestone's website, I have a lot of respect for them as a club, but I still think they win the prize for the most unofficial 'official' website in the league.
Link -
www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk/news/945"LEAGUE LEADERS HIS A BRICKWALL AS KEY DECISIONS ALL GO AGAINST THEM
A goal in each half – both of which highly debateable – gave Folkestone’s most valid local promotion challengers, Faversham, a 2-0 win and ended Invicta’s undefeated home record this season.
Undue Protocol – whatever that means – suggests we can’t comment too much about of the performance of the officials, but, while we have to admit that the home side were second best on the day, several crucial decisions went the way of the visitors.
Fullback Josh Vincent’s fifth minute header from a corner that cannoned back off the woodwork robbed Folkestone of the lead that they desperately needed.
But the visitors – pound for pound bigger, stronger and uglier than Invicta – took control for most of the rest of the opening 45 mnutes.
And while one-time Invicta striker Stuart King seemed a mile offside to those well-placed to tell, his low 41st minute scudder past keeper Tim Roberts gave the visitors the lead at the break.
As if that “goal” was not controversial enough, as Folkestone came forward at every opportunity, what appeared a totally legitimate equaliser from the always lively Ashley Millers was ruled out and the league leaders were already realising this was not going to be their day.
But things only got worse for the home side.
Numerically why Faversham’s No.14, Liam King, was allowed to start in place of No.2 Ryan Cooper on the teamsheet we cannot comment but one of the two Kings from Salter’s Lane Liam, was to play a huge part in the way things went from there on in.
King, the younger, collapsed in a heap after a challenge by home skipper Liam Friend and referee Farrell pointed to the spot for what, we would like to believe was, at the very least a somewhat harsh penalty.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, Friend was sent off for the challenge, but surely not bad enough to warrant a red card?
Lilywhites’ deadball specialist Wayne Wilson duly beat Tim Roberts from the spot to double Faversham’s lead just before the hour.
And, from a home perspective, Folkestone never quite looked like getting back into the game on a day when – even if some way off their best - very few things went in their favour.
Invicita: Roberts; Vncent. Chappell, Friend, Blanks; Dolan (Wraight 45), Starkey, Newman; Draycott, Rook, Miller.
Other subs used: Pilbeam, Luchford."
I guess they are trying to hide behind a flat performance and blame the officials - I agree the penalty was a bit harsh but they seem to be clutching at straws with the Miller offside (Miller's reaction told the story that he thought he was offside) and Kingy's goal.
Anyway, onto Monday, where we have to get something to back up today's result!
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