Faversham Town 1-2 Folkestone Invicta - Folkestone start campaign with a win

Folkestone could have been two up inside five minutes with Jones was twice denied by home keeper Rob French, but even French was powerless to stop the visitors taking a fifth minute lead!  The home side were carved open down the right by a great ball from Liam Friend and Josh Burchell raced clear to fire past a despairing French.

The visitors were comfortable in their first friendly of the season, and it was a surprise when Dane Luchford levelled on 22 minutes.  A great ball from Dave Bathgate (the early signs are that he will be a great addition to Justin Luchford’s side) was swept home by Dane Luchford with the ball flying in off a startled Jack Delo in the Folkestone goal.  Andrew Miller and Damien Abel then combined well on the edge of the box only for Abel to shoot straight at Delo. 

The visitors should have gone in a half time in front but were denied again by French.  Darren Smith played the most inviting ball into the box and as keeper French came for the ball, Simon Austin nipped in with a deft header that the giant keeper just kept out by his fingertips.

The home side made a couple of changes at half time and whilst they were still finding their shape, Folkestone continued to create chances.  Firstly from a long free kick into the box, Friend powered a header into the grateful arms of sub keeper Dan Ellis, whilst moments later Michael Dodsworth was very fortunate to survive a loud appeal for hand ball as Smith’s cross clearly ricocheted off of the defenders arm.

Faversham eventually found their feet, and from one of the moves of the match came agonisingly close to levelling the scores.  Steve O’Brien did brilliantly down the left and his pinpoint cross was crying out for Dane Luchford to score – unfortunately he just couldn’t divert the ball at the goal and the chance was gone!

Jones then scored a fine goal on 63 minutes as the home defence missed a long ball over the top and the veteran striker raced away to drill the ball low past Ellis.  As happens with these games, substitutions galore followed, yet there was still time for home sub Richard Sinden to be denied an equaliser by the right heel of Delo, before even the Invicta keeper was subbed.

All in all this was one of those strange games which never really got going, but kept your interest throughout – now will I still be saying that on Ryman League kick off day in 31 days time?  Now there’s a question…

Faversham Town: Rob French (Dan Ellis 46), Shane Hamshare (Jack Crump 68), Michael Dodsworth, Jake LeBerl (Simon Pettit 46), Ashley Brown (Matt Latham 62), Matt Bourne (Dane Luchford 79), Andrew Miller (Sam Callender 46), Damien Abel (Richard Sinden 46), Dane Luchford (Sub unknown 62, Dave Bathgate (Dan Elliott 68), Steve O’Brien (Jack Baldwin 68). 

Folkestone Invicta: Jack Delo (Owen Ridley 76), Josh Vincent, Josh Burchell, Liam Friend, Frankie Chappell, Roland Edge (James Dryden 62), Darren Smith (James Waters 72), Liam Dickson (Roy Guiver 62), Paul Jones (Michael Holliday 72), Simon Austin, Rob Kember (Olly Bertram 56). 

Referee: Mr Lee Dyson
Assistants: Mr M Marsh and Mr Karl May