Invicta Breeze It

Herne Bay (0) 1
Connor Sanders 73

Folkestone Invicta (2) 3
Harry Smith 24, 39
Ashley Miller 90

Attendance: 327

Ryman Isthmian League Division One (South)
Saturday 28th March 2016
(at The Altira Park Stadium, Winch’s Field)

(photo credit: Steve Barton – Herne Bay give an honour guard to Invicta)

Herne Bay’s chances of a play-off place rest on a perfect end to the season after already crowned Folkestone Invicta breezed this Bank Holiday game and showed no sign of relenting despite having already being crowned champions.

“We weren’t good enough first half, that’s for sure, we got ourselves back into it second half but ultimately not good enough on the day”, said Herne Bay manager Sam Denly, “you can certainly see why they’ve won the league”.

Ray Kelly writes:

Herne Bay welcomed League Champions Folkestone Invicta with a guard of honour onto the pitch at the Altira Stadium on Easter Monday. They then showed the bumper Bank Holiday crowd just why they won the League title. This match was only made possible by the hard work put in by Baz Tracy , Graham Wood and Anthony Deer after the damage caused by Storm Katie over night. Well done lads.

The game itself got off to a lively start with Invicta swarming all over the Bay and forcing a corner after only 2 minutes. Scott Heard’s corner was well taken by Jack Delo in the Bay goal. A minute later Mark Lovell linked up well with Dan Parkinson and the latter crossed to Elliot Cutts who headed just over from close range. Herne Bay were made to defend for long periods in the first 20 minutes with Jordan Wright and the 6’6” Harry Smith constantly testing the Bay back four. Folkestone made the breakthrough in the 24th. minute when Wright wriggled past Michael Turner before crossing a perfect ball for Harry Smith to nod in at the far post.

On 30 minutes Invicta should have increased their lead when Josh Vincent headed over with the goal at his mercy after a great cross from Harry Smith. A minute later Vincent fired in a pile driver from 30 yards that thankfully grazed the Bay crossbar. Herne Bay’s best chance of the half came in the 39th. minute when Michael Turner over lapped down the left and squared to Danny Williams who’s shot was palmed round the post by the Invicta custodian Tim Roberts. Within a minute Folkestone were 2-0 up after a clever shimmy from Harry Smith gave himself room to place a perfect shot past Jack Delo.

Herne Bay started the second half with more passion and on 50 minutes a good run through the Folkestone defence by Elliot Cutts resulted in his shot being saved superbly by Tim Roberts. The Bay continued to press with Mark Lovell and Elliot Cutts both going close.
Herne Bay continued to press forward but most moves were snuffed out by Liam Friend and Frankie Chappell in the Invicta defence.
Kane Phillip replaced Elliot Cutts in the 63rd minute. Kane tried to impose himself on the Folkestone defence but but his final ball went astray too many times.

On 75 minutes Ian Draycott with a snap shot almost caught Bay out but was well saved by Jack Delo. A minute latter Herne Bay pulled a goal back when Connor Sanders poked in from close range after a goal mouth scramble. The Bay then went in search of an equaliser . Kane Phillip and Dan Parkinson both had half chances but could not convert. With only a minute left on the clock the Bay were hit with a sucker punch when Ashley Miller picked up the ball in acres of space, raced through and slid the ball past Jack Delo.

“There’s still five winnable games, a lot of points to play for still”, said Denly, “that is the key, we know these games were going to be difficult, hopefully we can go on a run and string a few wins together. We’ve lost today, there’s no pressure now, we’ve had a fantastic season. That’s first and foremost, we don’t want to finish it poorly. It’s still mathematically possible (to make the play-offs) we’d have to win four, possibly all five, we’re good enough to do that, we’ve got to go back to basics and calm ourselves down”.

It’s a measure, perhaps, of how far this Herne Bay side, and Denly, have come in the past four years that there will be some who may be a little disgruntled at not making the play-offs. Meanwhile, Folkestone Invicta marched smartly off in the seaside sunshine toward the Ryman Premier Division as undisputed, and worthy, champions.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Nathan Eastwood, Dan Johnson, Liam Quin, Connor Sanders, Danny Walder (Sam Hallett 56), Dan Parkinson, Mark Lovell, Elliott Cutts (Kane Phillip 63), Danny Williams (James Turner 80).

Subs not used: Gary Sayer, Joe Nelder

Sent Off: none Cautioned: Nathan Eastwood.

Folkestone Invicta: Tim Roberts, Josh Vincent, Nat Blanks, Liam Friend, Frankie Chappell, Michael Everitt, Phil Starkey (Matt Newman 54), Scott Heard (Ashley Miller 83), Ian Draycott, Harry Smith, Jordan Wright (Ronnie Dolan 78).

Subs not used: Carl Rook (only four subs named).

Sent Off: none Cautioned: none.

Referee: John Pike Assistant Referees: David Ellis & Jamie Wells.

William Hill Man of the Match: Connor Sanders