Folkestone Invicta 0-0 Slough Town

Folkestone Invicta had to settle for a point following a disappointing performance in a goalless draw at the Buzzlines Stadium against struggling Slough Town on Saturday afternoon, writes Richard Murrill.

Expectations had been high following three wins and a draw during February, but Slough had not read the script as they moved off the bottom of the table above Walton & Hersham.

Invicta manager Neil Cugley opted to keep faith with the starting line up that had won at Boreham Wood the previous Saturday, but the Folkestone side were unable to find a breakthrough against their lowly opponents who could only name two substitutes.

The most noteworthy incident in a poor game was the dismissal of Mark Saunders. The player-coach became the first Invicta player to be sent off this season when he received a straight red card after 73 minutes when referee Rob Smith deemed him to be the last man as he brought down Symon James when Terry Davies put him through down the left hand side.

And the visitors might have won the match when striker Matt Miller put the ball into the net after home goalkeeper Richard Martin had saved from close range to deny Abbey Nsubuga in the 82^nd minute, but the ‘goal’ was ruled out by an assistant referee’s flag.

Ten-men Invicta then had a late chance to win it when Ellis Remy shot wastefully wide after 86 minutes following a one-two with James Corbett when substitute James Everitt took a throw-in from the right hand side.

Remy had been Invicta’s late saviour in their previous home match against Hampton and Richmond Borough, but on this afternoon the centre forward squandered the home side’s best chances.

Slough had an early chance when a free kick from the left just eluded captain Steve Daly in the middle.

At the other end, Remy shot wide when Saunders put him through after 20 minutes.

Slough were close in the 39th minute when a James header was deflected wide for another corner after Davies sent the ball over from the right.

A Remy header was cleared from close to the Slough line after 56 minutes when Saunders met a Kevin Watson free kick from the left with a strong header.

Centre half Daly then came to Slough’s rescue on the hour with a saving tackle to deny Remy when the striker had put the ball over another defender to race in on goal.

Remy shot wide again after 67 minutes when substitute Damian Abel played him in down the right hand side.

A fifth game unbeaten to match their best sequence since joining the Ryman League and a clean sheet on his home debut for on-loan goalkeeper Martin are the positive statistics for Invicta.

But this was not an afternoon which will bring fond memories for home supporters, if indeed it is remembered at all.

Folkestone Invicta: Martin, Watson, Sly (J. Everitt 57), Guiver, Friend, Saunders, M. Everitt, Jones (Abel 63), Remy, Corbett, Okikilou. Subs: Flanagan, Lamb, Stonebridge.