Folkestone Invicta 3-2 AFC Wimbledon - Skipper Watson ends Dons Kent dominance

FOLKESTONE INVICTA 3-2 AFC WIMBLEDON
Saturday 19^th January 2008
Ryman Premier League
Richard Murrill reports from Buzzlines Stadium

FOLKESTONE INVICTA enjoyed a memorable win over high profile AFC Wimbledon as captain Kevin Watson scored twice from outside the penalty area during a thrilling second half in front of a season’s best 942 crowd at the Buzzlines Stadium.

Right-back Watson was Invicta’s unlikely two-goal hero and will have particularly enjoyed his moment having had a penalty saved in last season’s corresponding fixture just prior to the Dons’ winner.

The win took Invicta out of the bottom four and into mid table as the feelgood factor returned to the club as Neil Cugley’s side recorded a fourth successive home win.

At the start of play, this game paired the side with the least amount of goals scored in the Ryman Premier League (Invicta) against the side with the best defensive record (AFC Wimbledon).

But the form back went out of the window as Invicta once again conjured up one of their better performances against one of the division’s top clubs with a result that typifies the competitive nature of the Ryman Premier League.

The visit of well-supported AFC Wimbledon always brings a special occasion and atmosphere and home supporters and officials were up early to work on the pitch to ensure that the big game could go ahead on the day that the supporters’ club held its annual sponsored walk.

All the goals on Saturday came during the second half after a tight first half which had followed a similar pattern to Wimbledon’s previous two low-scoring visits.

Watson opened the scoring in the 47^th minute when he chested the ball down and thumped it into the net from just outside the penalty area and ran to the bench to celebrate with manager Cugley.

It soon got better for Invicta as centre half Tom Bryant headed in debutant Marvin Hamilton-Omole’s long throw in from the right hand side. Both teenagers involved in the goal are on loan with the Folkestone club from Gillingham and Bryant’s first goal for the club crowned another impressive display.

Steve Ferguson reduced the arrears for the Dons in the 63^rd minute when he slotted the ball across goal into the far corner of the net after the ball was threaded through to him down the right hand side of the penalty area.

But Watson gave Invicta breathing space in the 86^th minute to make it 3-1 direct from a well-struck free kick which flew into the net from the left hand side to the delight of the home supporters.

But there was still some tense moments during stoppage time as a dangerous cross from the right just eluded substitute Richard Jolly in the middle.

And Ferguson then missed an absolute sitter from close range when substitute and Dons legend Marcus Gayle played the ball into his path from the left hand side.

But leading goalscorer Jon Main did pull another goal back when he headed in from close range deep into time added on when Gayle played the ball in from the left again.

For a game with five goals, it was a match during which defenders caught the eye. Invicta are often at their best when they have something to defend and their back five defence deserve great credit for their efforts in front of the calm Charlie Mitten, while Wimbledon captain Jason Goodliffe was an inspirational figure at the heart of the visitors’defence.

AFC Wimbledon had started well enough as Mark De Bolla shot wide from outside the penalty area within a minute.

And Goodliffe met De Bolla’s first corner of the match after six minutes, with the fit again Mitten having to touch over from former Tonbridge Angels marksman Main.

It was a tight start to the game as the visitors’ Tony Finn shot at Mitten from just outside the penalty area after 20 minutes.

Wimbledon’s best chance of the first half came two minutes later when the unmarked Mark Beard headed wide when Will Salmon played the ball in from the right hand side.

But Invicta were desperately close at the other end when they won their first corner of the game after 27 minutes as visiting goalkeeper Lee Butcher got down to touch a low Charlie Glyde shot round the post when the home midfielder dribbled into the box.

Invicta striker Leigh Bremner then hit a low shot at Butcher following a Glyde ball after 35 minutes and Goodliffe got in before James Corbett to make a good clearance just before half time when Liam Friend played in a dangerous ball from the left in a move also involving Bryant and Glyde.

Invicta’s two early goals in the second half put a completely different perspective on the match.

As Wimbledon sought a lifeline, De Bolla hit a free kick wide from a central position right on the edge of the penalty area after a handball decision.

At the other end, Goodliffe came to his side’s rescue again in the 69^th minute at the expense of a corner from another Friend cross when Corbett played the ball out to the left.

Invicta player-coach Mark Saunders showed skill to get into the penalty area through the middle after 81 minutes but could only shoot wide when under pressure from the visitors’ defence and goalkeeper.

An 84^th minute Watson free kick from deep on the left hand side was touched over the crossbar by Butcher following a foul by Goodliffe on Bremner.

But Watson’s next effort two minutes later was to prove to be the winner.

There were bookings for Invicta goalkeeper Mitten (time-wasting after 78 minutes), Bremner (foul after 79 minutes) and Frankie Chappell (kicking the ball away after Main’s late goal).

Carshalton Athletic, who were defeated 4-2 at Margate, make their second trip to east Kent when they meet Invicta at Cheriton Road on Monday (21^st January) night.

Folkestone Invicta: Mitten, Watson, Friend, Chappell, Bryant, Okikiolu, Glyde (M. Everitt 89), Saunders, Bremner, Corbett, Hamilton-Omole.
Subs: J. Everitt, Abel, Burchell, Stonebridge.

AFC Wimbledon: Butcher, Salmon (Gayle 80), Haswell, Beard (Hatton 71), Goodliffe, Howard, Ferguson, Leberl, Main, De Bolla (Jolly 58), Finn.
Subs: Quinn, Hussey.

Attendance: 924