Saturday's match reports: Invicta expect to lose Norman to Dartford

Folkestone Invicta suffered a narrow defeat on Saturday afternoon when they went down to a powerful 78th minute header from Rob Paris at Hampton & Richmond Borough’s MEM Beveree Stadium, writes Richard Murrill.

The centre half headed the only goal of the game following am Elliott Godfrey free kick from a dangerous position on the right hand side of the penalty area when James Corbett was adjudged to have fouled substitute Lawrence Yuku.

Invicta have now lost all five Ryman Premier League games against Alan Devonshire’s side and on each occasion can consider themselves unfortunate to have come away with anything for their efforts.

Neil Cugley’s side had Damian Abel back from suspension alongside Paul Jones in attack.

But the visitors had to make an early change when 18-year-old centre half Liam Friend suffered an eye injury after receiving an accidental boot in the face and had to be replaced by James Everitt.

After playing up front the previous Saturday, the versatile Everitt slotted in this time at right back, with Kevin Watson moving across to centre half alongside captain Adam Flanagan.

Marvyn Bartley hit a low shot at Invicta goalkeeper Tony Kessell after 11 minutes.

But the visitors were to have the better of the first half as a Steve Norman shot from outside the penalty area forced a corner after 25 minutes on his last appearance for the club before joining Dartford following a good passing move involving Corbett, James Everitt and Mark Saunders.

Jones then had a good chance a minute later when put through after a defensive lapse but his attempted chip did not seriously trouble goalkeeper Matt Lovett and the chance was gone.

Striker Jones shot on the turn at goalkeeper Lovett from the edge of the penalty area after 32 minutes following a James Everitt ball as Invicta remained on top.

Hampton had the ball in the net two minutes later from their first corner of the game, but Ian Hodges’ header was ruled out for a challenge on goalkeeper Kessell.

Jones then shot at goalkeeper Lovett after 44 minutes from outside the penalty box as Invicta broke.

Lovett raced out to deny Luke Howell after 46 minutes when the midfielder was put through following a combination between strikers Jones and Abel.

But Hampton threatened when a 51th minute cross from Hodges on the left flew just above Bartley in the middle.

Saunders shot wide from the edge of the penalty area for Invicta after 52 minutes when Abel played the ball across from the left and the visitors had another half chance when Jones put Howell through.

There was danger at the other end after 57 minutes when a Yuku shot was deflected for a corner and Watson had to make a saving tackle on Yuku two minutes later when a Kessell clearance came straight back at the Invicta defence.

The home side now looked the more likely scorers and Hodges scuffed his shot with a clear chance after 67 minutes when put through and given on-side.

And Paris’ goal was to prove decisive.

HAMPTON & RICHMOMD BOROUGH: Lovett, Harper (Yuku 55), Ulasi, Elverson, Paris, Wells (Matthews 45), Inns, Godfrey (Gardner 79 mins), Hodges, Fernandes, Bartley. Subs: Harris, Henry-Hayden.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Watson, Norman, Flanagan, Friend (J. Everitt 8), Howell, M. Everitt, Abel, Jones, Saunders, Corbett (Sly 85). Subs: Guiver, Rainbow, Stonebridge.

Attendance: 275.

Erith & Belvedere continued their good run of form under the management of Paul Gorman and Chris Cosgrove as goals from Lee Morgan, Steve White, Glen McTaggart and substitute Darryl Wilson gave Erith a 4-0 win at the Small Glen, writes Thomas Hawes.

The Deres came into the game in good form and after the recent installment of a new management team, spirits were high in the Deres camp.

Similarly, despite a poor start to the season, Green appeared to have got their season kick-started with a hard fought penalty shoot-out win over table-topping Thamesmead Town in the Kent Senior Trophy last Saturday, but their performance on Saturday showed that the Railwaymen have a lot of work to do if they are to improve their league placing.

Erith & Belvedere controlled the game from start to finish limiting Slade Green to a handful of opportunities.

The youthful and imaginative play of the Deres, who came into the game only a couple of places above Slade Green in the Kent Premier League table, saw the away side take charge of proceedings in the opening quarter of an hour.

It was therefore no surprise when Erith & Belvedere went ahead after 18 minutes.

White latched on to a through ball by the corner flag and was inadvertandly fouled by a Green defender. The resultant free-kick was whipped into the box, Morgan rose highest to nod Erith into the lead against his former club.

Erith & Belvedere had a superb chance to double their lead just before the interval.

Slade Green had appeared to have dealt with a poor through ball aimed for White, but a complete mis-kick saw the ball run into the path of White.

The experienced striker powered through and found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper John Paul Green.

White shaped his body as if he was going to shoot to the keeper’s left. Green, however, read White like a book and made a comfortable save.

White was soon to get his goal, but he would have to wait until after the interval to score his 15th of the season.

On 61 minutes, the Deres scored again from another through ball that appeared to be overhit.

It also appeared as if a combination of defender and goalkeeper had the situation covered, but then White appeared and lobbed John Paul Green to double the Deres lead.

The Deres had a third three minutes later as an ex-Slade Green player struck again against his former employers as Glen McTaggart fired home from three yards out to put the result beyond any doubt whatsoever.

With a quarter of an hour left, Wilson, who replaced McTaggart after 69 minutes, added some gloss to the win with a fourth.

Wilson latched onto the ball 10 yards into the Slade Green half and was allowed to proceed to the edge of the 18-yard box and just when everyone else in the ground thought Wilson was going to lay the ball off to strike partner White.

But Wilson curled the ball into the top left corner of Green’s goal.

Wilson took the goal like a player in a rich vein of goalscoring form - in fact it was his first goal since scoring in the 2-2 draw against Hythe Town in August.

The Railwaymen had a glorious opportunity to score a late consolation, but Deres keeper Neil Murray pulled off a superb double save to ensure that the Deres kept a clean sheet.

Erith & Belvedere have now scored 11 league goals without reply and haven’t conceded in the league since they conceded a last minute goal against Lordswood way back on the 17th October and will go into their double header against Faversham Town in confident mood.

The Dere’s welcome the Lilywhites to Park View Road on Tuesday night knowing that if they avoid defeat they will qualify for the last eight of the Kent Premier League Cup.

A win for the Deres would see them top Group B and go into the hat as one of the four seeded group winners.

Faversham travel to Park View Road again on Saturday as they face the Deres in what is amazingly Erith & Belveder’s second home league game on a Saturday this season.

Slade Green: Green, Labidie, Evans, Barber, Heyrettin, L Morrish, Heaslewood, McKey (Masade 67), Malyon, Akala (Barrend 86), Mahir (Baines 63). Subs: Silk, Craven.

Erith & Belvedere: Murray, Scowen, Durrant, Morgan, Gross (Mansfield 78), Maycock, Bedford, Crawley, McTaggart (Wilson 69), White (Johnson 81). Sub: Walker.

Attendance: 103

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Email:  stephen@mccartney2000.fsnet.co.uk