K’s Beaten Soundly by the Invicta
Before we start, a quiz question: prior to our trip to Folkestone, when was the last time Kingstonian played the same opponent in consecutive league games in the same season and who was the opponent? (East Thurrock in April and August 2012 doesn’t count.) *
Just 10 days after the sides played out a 1-1 draw at Fetcham Grove, and with the Beast from the East ensuring Leigh Dynan’s side had no games in between, Folkestone took the spoils in the second part of Ks’ double header, winning 3-0 with a clinical performance in Kent. (It wasn’t the same deal for the Kent side as they miraculously got their game on at the weekend).
The game started quietly as both sides struggled to create meaningful chances. Taurean Roberts got Ks’ first chance of the game, latching on to a through ball but under pressure from the covering defender, his shot lacked the power to beat his namesake T(im) Roberts in the Folkestone goal. As the half wore on however, the hosts began to impose themselves on proceedings. Samuel Hasler and Ian Draycott both unleashed threatening but ultimately misdirected efforts from distance before Draycott opened the scoring, turning home Johan Ter Horst’s right wing cross as Ks defence were opened up for the second time.
The game began to open up as Ks looked to respond immediately, but Jason Williams struggled to make good contact from close range with Michael West’s devilishly dangerous cross. Down the other end, Adam Yusuff fired a shot into the side netting.
Ks began the second half looking much brighter. Connor Hunte jinked his way into the box but his effort from a tight angle was cleared off the line by a covering defender before Nic Ciardini rolled his defender and created space to shoot, but saw his curling effort palmed away by Roberts. As Ks continued to press, space was opened up in their own half; Draycott was put through on goal but while his lob beat Rob Tolfrey it bounced down off the bar and into the keeper’s grateful arms but Kingston’s reprieve was short-lived. Just two minutes after coming on, Joe Taylor was slipped in down the right channel and fired past Tolfrey to all but seal the result.
Ks best chance to keep it interesting fell to the head of Jerry Amos but his header from point-blank range ballooned over before Taylor notched his second in bizarre circumstances. Manu Gogonas’ back pass was short and when Tolfrey came out to challenge he tangled with Taylor. In the melee, the ball rolled past them both and the Invicta man won the ensuing foot race to tap into an empty goal and complete the scoring.
*Answer: April 2003 saw Ks take on Aylesbury United in consecutive games in a rush to finish the season’s fixtures. The Thursday and Saturday matches saw both home teams run out 1-0 winners.
Match report by Jamie Cutteridge.
