Folkestone Invicta 3-2 East Thurrock United

Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley was able to celebrate his 50th birthday with a win as Steve Norman scored direct from a second half corner to claim all three points at the Buzzlines Stadium on Monday night, writes Richard Murrill.

Invicta had gone 2-0 up during the first half thanks to goals from Kevin Watson (penalty) and Damian Abel, but were pegged back by two goals in three minutes just before half time.

After a run of six consecutive defeats, Invicta faced a potentially awkward night as they came face to face with their recent past as East Thurrock last week signed Samuel Kola Okikiolu, Ellis Remy and Walid Matata, all of whom have recently been released by Invicta due to cost-cutting measures.

It was an unusual situation as Remy remains Invicta’s top goalscorer so far this season and had scored when the Folkestone side won 3-0 at East Thurrock back in September.

But football has a habit of moving on and local lad Abel scored his first Invicta goal in his best appearance so far for the club, James Corbett showed touches of class on his home debut in midfield and Luke Howell again looked impressive in front of his watching Gillingham manager Ronnie Jepson.

Paul Jones also looked very sharp in attack alongside Abel after being recalled to the starting eleven following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat away to Ashford Town (Middlesex).

The home side started very brightly as East Thurrock goalkeeper Jamie Lunan got across to turn away a well-struck Watson free kick after just three minutes and Norman broke down the left hand side and sent in a dangerous cross after 20 minutes.

Watson opened the scoring in the 25th minute with his second penalty goal in three days after a push by Lee Burns on Jones. Goalkeeper Lunan got a hand to it but was unable to prevent the spot kick from crossing the line.

It was 2-0 in the 28th minute when Abel opened his account for the club with a low shot into the corner of the net after Jones had played the ball in from the right hand side.

Jones himself was close in the 32nd minute when Norman again played the ball in from the left.

Watson blocked a Steve Harrison shot when Remy played the ball across after 36 minutes, but Invicta seemed to be in total control.

The game was, however, to take a twist as James Bunn made it 2-1 in the 39th minute when Danny Harris played the ball across from the right.

East Thurrock had not previously scored in three games against Invicta, but they did not have to wait long to strike again as Scott Holding made it 2-2 direct from a low free kick into the bottom corner of the net after Remy had been fouled in a central position on the edge of the penalty area.

Invicta were close again after 56 minutes when Abel sent in a dangerous low ball from the left hand side just ahead of Howell and the latter was again close with a header when the ball came back in.

The game’s first corner did not come until the 59 minute but it was to be decisive as Norman's ball in from the right went straight into the net.

It was the second time this season Norman had scored in such a fashion, having previously done so away to Slough, and he was to try his luck again with this game’s only other corner.

At the other end, Harris struck the crossbar with a cross-shot from the right as the rain began to fall after 65 minutes.

But Invicta regained the initiative as Abel raced past two challenges down the right hand byeline after 76 minutes and pulled the ball back to Micheal Everitt whose shot was headed off the line, with Corbett going close from the rebound.

Another good move four minutes later involved Corbett, Howell and Abel before the ball was cleared.

Harris shot wide from outside the penalty area after 85 minutes, but Invicta held on for a much-needed victory.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Norman, Flanagan, Friend, Howell, M. Everitt (J. Everitt 81), Abel, Corbett, Saunders, Jones. Subs: Guiver, Rainbow, Stonebridge.

EAST THURROCK UNITED: Lunan, Burns, Holding (Sammons 54), Faulkner, Okikiolu, Turnball (Lewis 81 mins), Harrison, Williams, Remy, Bunn (Matata 62), Harris. Subs: Stevens, Patterrson.

Attendance: 235.