Folkestone Invicta 2-2 Croydon Athletic - Jackson scores best ever goal but two red cards mars game

FOLKESTONE INVICTA 2-2 CROYDON ATHLETIC
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 14^th October 2008
Richard Murrill reports from Buzzlines Stadium

A SENSATIONAL goal from Jimmy Jackson rescued a point for Folkestone Invicta on a controversial night at the Buzzlines Stadium when the home side were twice behind and had both James Everitt and Matt Bourne sent off.

The highlight of the game was Jackson’s 75^th minute equaliser with what was up there with the best ever goals scored in the history of the ground at Cheriton Road.

The 32-year-old midfielder picked up the ball on the edge of his own penalty area following a Croydon corner, took the ball on into the visitors’ half through the middle and then unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard strike which flew into the net.

It was Jackson’s fourth goal in the last five matches and demonstrated the class with which he has graced the non-league game, most notably with Gravesend & Northfleet.

But the game will also be remembered for the performance of referee Mr Irvine Woodward.

Invicta were reduced to ten men after 13 minutes when Everitt received a straight red card for his challenge on Sam Clayton by the touchline.

The younger Everitt brother played the ball, but both of his feet were off the ground, although the challenge was probably not as bad as it may have looked.

The home side were well and truly up against it as they already trailed to a 12^th minute goal from Luke Adams.

Centre half Bourne also received a straight red card during stoppage time when he left a foot in after a challenge on Simon Osborn. The Croydon midfielder then raised his hand in retaliation which led to a melee between both sets of players.

Incredibly, referee Mr Woodward dismissed Bourne and decided that a yellow card was sufficient punishment for Osborn.

The Respect for Officials campaign is a buzz phrase at the FA this season, but sometimes they do not help to endear themselves to the paying public and this was one such occasion.

The visitors had gone ahead when Adams slotted the ball in after it fell into his path after an initial shot from Danny Waldren was blocked by a defender.

At the other end, a 26^th minute Nick Humphrey header was deflected for another corner on the left when Jackson sent over the initial set piece.

And Invicta equalised in the 34^th minute following a short corner on the right when captain Lee Gledhill crossed from the right, Micheal Everitt headed the ball back across goal and top goalscorer James Dryden nodded the ball in from just underneath the crossbar.

The visitors had a couple more chances in the run up to half time as Mark De Bolla shot just wide when Jeremiah Olusanya broke into the box and a corner from the left was headed over by Adams.

Invicta’s Jackson was then booked for dissent in the 45th minute.

Croydon restored their lead in the 50^th minute thanks to a shot from captain Waldren after Invicta goalkeeper Charlie Mitten had saved an initial strike from De Bolla.

The visitors then had chances to increase their lead as top goalscorer Clayton shot just wide on the turn in the 52^nd minute after a ball from Joel Greenes and Greenes himself missed a good 55^th minute chance when under pressure from Bourne after a ball forward from Bradley Duke.

Invicta brought Craig Wilkins on in place of Mark Green, with Liam Friend switching across to left back and Wilkins adding impetus to the attack for the ten men.

But Croydon threatened to score again as Duke shot against the outside of the post in the 68^th minute after a touch from Olusanya.

Invicta defender Bourne then headed at goalkeeper Michael Lidbury from a Jackson corner two minutes later.

Humphrey then became the next Invicta player to be booked for dissent.

But Jackson saved the day with his stunning goal after Bourne headed a corner clear and the midfielder did the rest.

Invicta then chased all three points and Friend was wide with a glancing 78^th minute header following a move involving Gledhill and Dryden down the right.

Croydon substitute Nathan Green was wide following an 85^th minute cross from the right and Mitten then saved a Clayton shot from the right two minutes later.

But Invicta were agonisingly close to a late winner after 87 minutes when Dryden shot just wide of the far post after exchanging passes with striker Wilkins.

Croydon’s Greenes had been booked for an 80^th minute challenge on Bourne.

But Bourne was himself dismissed at the end as referee Woodward once again took centre stage.

Folkestone Invicta: Mitten, Gledhill, Green (Wilkins 59 mins), Friend, Bourne, J. Everitt, M. Everitt (Lindsey 85), Corbett, Dryden, Humphrey, Jackson.
Subs: Burchell, Swallow, Conyers.

Croydon Athletic: Lidbuey, Boxall, Adams, Williams, Duke, Osborn, Olusdanya (Green 76), Waldren, Greenes, Clayton, De Bolla.
Subs: Andrews, Stares, Smelt.

Attendance: 183.