chelmsford211105

Jones salvages point for Folkestone

A 77^th minute equaliser from striker Paul Jones rescued a point for Folkestone Invicta on a cold night at the Buzzlines Stadium after Chelmsford had taken the lead thanks to a speculative strike from Peter Smith after 14 minutes, writes Richard Murrill.

Jones planted a low shot into the net to salvage a point for the home side after playing a quality one-two with Stuart Myall.

Chelmsford had been the better side during the first half and opened the scoring when former Alma Swanley and Brighton player Smith collected the ball from the left hand side and chipped the ball over goalkeeper Tony Kessell from 30 yards.

Moments earlier Craig Edwards had run through the middle and shot at Kessell as the visitors made a purposeful start.

Invicta responded to Chelmsford ’s goal as a Myall shot flew over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area after 15 minutes.

Kessell was called into action again after 25 minutes when he came out to block a close range effort from Adrian Allen when Greg Lincoln played the ball in from the right.

Lincoln himself then had a half chance when Kessell pushed a cross from the left hand side back out.

Edwards shot at Kessell after 28 minutes and the same player then volleyed over from close range following a ball in from the right after 40 minutes.

Invicta came back into things during a second half which began with an icy wind and fog descending.

Striker Joe Neilson replaced defender James Everitt on the hour and Martin Chandler performed well when replacing captain Scott Lindsey after 67 minutes.

Kessell made a crucial save after 68 minutes to deny Richard Halle when Allen played the ball back.

And Invicta began to create chances of their own as a James Dryden shot was saved by goalkeeper Gavin King when Chandler played the ball across to the left hand side of the box after 74 minutes.

Jones’ equaliser followed and the striker then turned provider when he threaded the ball through to substitute Neilson but goalkeeper King rushed out to contest the ball with the teenager and was relieved to see the ball go out for a goal kick.

The ball then just eluded Dryden on the right hand side of the box a minute later as Invicta chased a winner.

Folkestone Invicta: Kessell, J. Everitt (Neilson 60), Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey ( Chandler 67), M. Everitt, Myall, Dryden, Jones, Norman.  Subs: Watson, Sly, Mann.

Chelmsford City:  King, Sobers, Haswell, Mangodza, Edwards, Lincoln , Smith (Holmes 83), Edwards, Watson ( Valdez 83), Allen (Richards 73), Halle .  Sub: Lawler.

Attendance: 304