Folkestone Invicta 0-0 Fleet Town - Invicta draw a blank

FOLKESTONE INVICTA 0-0 FLEET TOWN
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 6^th December 2008
Richard Murrill reports from Buzzlines Stadium

FOLKESTONE INVICTA had their first goalless draw of the season on Saturday afternoon as they were held 0-0 by third-placed Fleet Town at a cold Buzzlines Stadium.

Both goalkeepers enjoyed good afternoons as Invicta’s Charlie Mitten won the home man of the match award and young Fleet goalkeeper took The Non-League Paper’s plaudits.

Invicta were closest to breaking the deadlock when captain James Dryden hit the post in the 74^th minute. Dryden was desperately unlucky as he coolly picked his spot and shot past the goalkeeper after exchanging passes with striking partner Joe Neilson after Micheal Everitt had done well to win the ball at the other end and play it forward.

Fleet goalkeeper Smith had earlier got up to touch over a well-struck Josh Burchell shot from the edge of the penalty area on the hour mark and Dryden then headed wide seconds later when Micheal Everitt played the ball in from the right hand side following a run.

Smith made another great save in the 70^th minute when Invicta centre half Frankie Chappell met a Darren Smith free kick and Liam Dickson shot over from Smith’s subsequent corner on the right.

With the previously ever-present Jimmy Jackson away attending a wedding, Invicta had given a first start to Neilson since his return to the club from Hythe Town and midfielder Smith was passed fit after going off with an elbow injury in midweek.

The home side made the early running and had penalty appeals waved away in the second minute when the ball hit a Fleet hand.

Josh Vincent then volleyed at goalkeeper Smith when centre half Liam Friend broke forwards in the 11^th minute.

Chappell headed at goalkeeper Smith two minutes later from Invicta’s first corner on the right hand side, won when a James Everitt cross from the right was cleared before reaching the advancing Burchell in the middle.

James Everit headed at Smith following a free kick on the quarter of an hour mark and Invicta’s Darren Smith fired wide when Burchell touched the ball back to the edge of the penalty area in the 34^th minute.

At the other end, James Field ran at the Invicta defence and his 36^th minute shot deflected off Dickson for a corner.

Fleet’s top goalscorer Mark Anderson shot at Mitten following a Nathan Smart touch after 41 minutes and Invicta’s Smith shot on the turn inside the penalty area a minute later.

Visiting striker Eddie Smith did well to set up a chance for himself in the 49^th minute but Mitten saved his subsequent shot.

A 54^th minute flashpoint saw Fleet defender Steve Hemmings booked for a retaliatory elbow on Neilson after complaining for a foul moments earlier.

Invicta’s Burchell was then booked for bringing down Smart.

Fleet’s Billy Boylan was also booked for a challenge on Neilson.

A 73^rd minute headed clearance put Fleet’s Smith through, but he lost his footing and fired wide.

Mitten denied Smith again in the 79^th minute when the striker was put through.

Dryden struck into goalkeeper Smith’s hands when a free kick was touched to him following a foul by Boylan on the edge of the penalty area.

In a late Fleet chance, a corner from the right was headed at Mitten by Hemmings.

Folkestone Invicta: Mitten, J. Everitt, Burchell, Friend, Chappell, Dickson, M. Everitt, Vincent, Dryden, Smith, Neilson (Byrne 77).
Subs: Thomas, Driscoll, Lindsey, Conyers.

Fleet Town: P. Smith, Salmon, Bird, Boylan, Patterson, Hemmings, Field, McClurg, Anderson (John 78), E. Smith, Smart.
Subs: Campbell, Abante, Hamilton, Smalley.

Attendance: 294