Match Reports:

We catch up with some of the match reports that we’ve received over the past couple of weeks.

AFC Wimbledon 0-0 Folkestone Invicta

Folkestone Invicta stretched their unbeaten run to ten matches when they held ambitious AFC Wimbledon to a goalless draw in front of a 2284 crowd at Kingsmeadow on Tuesday night, writes Richard Murrill.

This trip to Kingston is always one of the stiffest tests of the season and Invicta again showed their resilience with a fourth successive clean sheet to stay eighth in the Ryman Premier League table, one place ahead of their hosts.

New goalkeeper Charlie Mitten is yet to concede a goal for Invicta in three matches since returning from injury and celebrated his 33^rd birthday with another calm and assured display.

There were scares along the way as Richard Butler shot against the underside of the crossbar in the 64^th minute and had the ball in the net after 88 minutes, only for the ‘goal’ to be ruled out for offside.

But Invicta could even have snatched victory as centre forward Ellis Remy headed wide at the far post in the 86^th minute with a good chance when striking partner Leigh Bremner sent over an inviting cross from the left.

There has been a complete transformation in fortunes for Invicta since a 1-0 home defeat against Boreham Wood on September 1^st and Neil Cugley’s side again proved themselves to be hard to beat.

The omens had not been good for Invicta as they were without injured former Gillingham pair Mark Saunders and James Corbett, with Ryan Briggs and Remy coming into the starting line up.

Big Antony Howard missed a good early chance for the home side at the far post when Tony Finn sent over the game’s first corner from the left hand side and the ball was touched on after three minutes.

There was an opening at the other end three minutes later when Remy nodded the ball on to Bremner as Invicta broke and the striker hit a low shot at goalkeeper Paul Seuke.

Finn took the ball down well when Butler nodded it on after seven minutes but Mitten got down to save the subsequent shot.

A fierce Steve Ferguson strike flashed across the Invicta goal when he cut in from the right hand side after ten minutes and Mark Beard could not get enough power on his shot to beat Mitten seven minutes later when a Finn ball was touched on down the right hand side by Michael Haswell.

But Invicta held on relatively untroubled for the remainder of the first half.

James Everitt had a shot blocked by a defender in a move also involving Briggs and Bremner after 51 minutes.

At the other end, striker Robin Shroot got on the end of Finn’s cross from the left two minutes later but Mitten again remained unruffled to save again.

The home side increased the pressure midway through the second half and struck the underside of the crossbar when a corner from the right caused problems in the Invicta goalmouth.

Jake Leberl and Rob Quinn both played good passes down the right hand side after 65 minutes to send Ferguson clear but he squared the ball across goal rather than shoot and the danger was gone.

Mitten saved a Shroot shot from the left hand side of the penalty area a minute later and Invicta centre half Liam Friend got across to clear a Finn cross from the left after 68 minutes.

Finn hit a free kick from a central position at Mitten after 78 minutes and Shroot got in behind the Invicta defence but fired wide across goal from the left hand side of the penalty area with a good late chance three minutes later.

Remy’s late header was Invicta’s best chance of extending their winning away run to seven successive matches.

But the visitors will have been pleased with their point as Mitten got down to save a low 89^th minute Finn shot from the edge of the penalty area and an assistant referee’s flag came to their rescue when the follow up found the net.

AFC WIMBLEDON: Seuke, Howard, Haswell, Quinn (Hatton 86), Goodliffe, Leberl, Ferguson (Wardell 75), Beard, Butler, Shroot, Finn.
Subs: Ransom, Salmon, Holmes.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Mitten, Watson, Edge, Chappell, Friend, Okikiolu, M. Everitt, J. Everitt, Remy, Bremner, Briggs (Sly 90).
Subs: Abel, Burchell, Saunders, Stonebridge.

Attendance: 2284.

Ebbsfleet United Ladies 2-0 Slough Ladies
Women’s FA Cup - Third Qualifying Round

Ebbsfleet Ladies successful run in this year's Women’s FA cup continued at the weekend, and the reward was entry into the 1st round proper after making their way reasonably comfortably through the third and final of the qualifying rounds last Sunday, writes Tina Martin.

They faced tough opposition on the day from Slough Ladies, who play in the premier division of the Southern Region league, which equals Fleets London and South East regional league standings.

The match started brightly with both teams clearly focussed and determined to win the points and get through to the next round, the opening exchanges were fairly even with both teams applying some strong early pressure.

Both teams were playing very different styles of football with different team formations on the day, meaning the two sides were battling hard but seem to be cancelling each other out, leading to very few chances created in the early part of the game.

Fleet's normal more flowing passing and possession game was put to the test, as Slough were working hard in midfield and trying to pass the ball quickly through to their pacy striker.

It was a moment of strong individual play from one of Ebbslfeet new summer signings, Kelly Philpott, that broke the deadlock as she dribbled the ball clear of a couple of defenders, steadied herself and placed the ball out of the keepers reach into the back of the net from the edge of the box.

The rest of the first half was a little scrappy and a little heated at times as players became increasingly frustrated and neither side were able to settle into any real rhythm.

It was the second half that Fleet really came into the game and started dominating play and were able to gain in confidence as they begun to play the much better football of the two sides and created 3 clear chances in close succession that were thwarted by a very good Slough Keeper, who made several excellent saves on the day to keep her side in the tie.

Fleet goalkeeper was also tested in the second half when she made a brave one on one save against the Slough striker whose pace had caused Fleet defence a few problems on the day.

Fleet finally sealed the victory in the last 5 minutes of the match when striker Mel Bishop struck the ball low and hard across the box, which the keeper managed to get finger tips to and push to the side but it was Bishop who reacted the quickest following up her shot and confidently netted the second opportunity.

This wins means EbbsFleet ladies are through to the 1st round proper, the league above Fleet enters in at this stage, and the team are awaiting the draw to see where the cup will take them next.

Ebbsfleet United: Anita Chidwick, Tamar Upton, Bex Pattenden, Harriet Hills (Kelly Campbell), Emily Wells, Jade McDermott, Lorraine grinyer, Hannah Chambers, Jules Teague, Steph Cornish (Mel Bishop), Kelly Philpott.
Sub: Leanne Beaney

Leyton 0-1 Folkestone Invicta
Ryman Premier League

An 84^th minute header from James Everitt gave Folkestone Invicta all three points as they made it six successive away wins and nine matches unbeaten in all competitions.

Just as at Windsor & Eton in a FA Cup replay, Everitt headed in the only goal of the game, this time with some aplomb when captain Roland Edge played in a good free kick following a foul on substitute Damian Abel.

The younger Everitt brother was playing in midfield at the Leyton Stadium but has also played in defence and attack for Invicta this season. In this game he was wearing the number nine shirt and the finish was worthy of a centre forward.

The home side were left to rue missed chances of their own, particularly during the first half and stoppage time.

Invicta started with a 5-3-2 formation as centre half Frankie Chappell came back into the starting line up for Abel.

But it was the home side who had the first chance when John Paul Collier hit a well-struck shot just over the crossbar after six minutes when Solomon Henry sent the game’s first corner over from the left and the ball eventually came back out to the edge of the penalty area.

At the other end, a dangerous 11^th minute ball in from James Everitt on the left just eluded both Chappell and Edge at the far post and Micheal Everitt headed just over a minute later when Edge headed the ball on at the far post when Kevin Watson sent in a good ball from the right.

Right back Billy Hawes put in a good 15^th minute ball but just in front of the in-coming Leyton forwards following a one-two with Henry, while striker Billy Bricknell tried his luck from 30 yards but shot wide of the post four minutes later.

Striker Tobi Oshitola missed the clearest chance of the game thus far when he shot wide after being played in down the left hand side of the penalty area by Tom McGowan after 24 minutes.

An overhead Leigh Bremner strike cleared the crossbar in the 32^nd minute when Mark Saunders nodded on a long James Everitt throw in from the left.

But the home side were having the better of the first half chances and former Ashford Town and Dover Athletic defender Marc Cumberbatch should have scored at the far post after 35 minutes when Henry played the ball in following a corner on the right.

Invicta goalkeeper Charlie Mitten got across to save a well-struck shot drilled in by Hawes from the right after 41 minutes and Henry shot at Mitten just before half time.

Invicta replaced Saunders with Ellis Remy at half time as Corbett dropped back into midfield.

James Everitt couldn’t quite guide his header in this time after 52 minutes when Watson and Corbett combined down the right.

Invicta centre half Liam Friend got across to clear at the expense of a corner when Stefan Cox broke down the left hand side after 59 minutes and Bricknell’s header lacked power from Cox’s subsequent set piece.

Micheal Everitt fired wide when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box after 61 minutes and younger brother James was close in a goalmouth scramble following a Watson free kick from the right four minutes later.

Invicta reverted to a 4-3-3 formation when Abel replaced the injured Corbett after 70 minutes.

And the game seemed to be heading for a repeat of the 0-0 draw in last season’s corresponding fixture until Everitt’s late winner.

Bricknell fired over with a gilt-edged chance to equalise for Leyton when Cox played the ball in during stoppage time when Chappell was caught in possession.

And Bricknell then headed over from a Henry cross.

There was still time for Invicta’s Watson to hit a well-struck shot over the crossbar from 35 yards before the Folkestone squad celebrated their recent good run with a night out at the greyhound meeting at nearby Walthamstow.

LEYTON: Lunan, Hawes, McGowan, Gracey, Cumberbatch, Alderton, Henry, Collier, Oshitola (Osei-Owusui 88), Bricknell, Cox.
Subs: Thomas, Lee, Gradosielski, Roberts.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Mitten, Watson, Edge, Chappell, Friend, Okikiolu, M. Everitt, Saunders (Remy 45), J. Everitt, Bremner, Corbett (Abel 70).

Subs: Briggs, Sly, Stonebridge.

Attendance: 62.

Erith & Belvedere 4-5 Guildford City
FA Carlsberg Vase First Round

Chris Cosgrove and Paul Gormans injury hit Erith & Belvedere side crashed out of the FA Vase at the 1st Round stage as Guildford City netted five times in a thrilling encounter at Park View Road, writes Thomas Hawes.

The visitors from Surrey were ahead after just seven minutes when Wesley Harrison headed home.

City had the better of the first half and deservedly doubled their lead with 25 minutes on the clock, albeit in fortuitous circumstances.

Guildford captain Tony Mukabaa robbed Matt Johnson of the ball and was allowed to
charge through on goal. He eventually laid the ball off to player manager Scott Steele who bundled the ball into the net with some help from a team-mate who appeared to strike the ball at the same time as Steele.

Erith had a glorious chance to pull a goal back after 28 minutes but Joaquin Gindre was on hand to save Steve White’s shot.

The Deres were left ruing the missed chance as on 35 minutes Guildford made it three.

Aneel Azeem had only been on the pitch for five minutes following an injury to Steele when he put his name on the scoresheet.

Azeem showed an impressive turn of pace to beat Paul Gross and then rounded the
onrushing Grant Wallis before sidefooting his side into a three-goal lead.

Game over? Possibly, but previous experience will tell anyone who watched the Deres regularly that they have the capability of turning a game around.

And the comeback appeared to being after 43 minutes when White and Johnson had a glorious chance to score for the Deres and in three minutes into stoppage time Nick Smith also grabbed a goal back for the Deres as well.

The crucial goal to give the Deres hope came after 48 minutes though as Matt Johnson drove the ball past Gindre from 30 yards to make it 3-1 and there was even time for a great chance to be missed by Deres defender Paul Gross.

Ten minutes into the second half, the match looked to be swinging in the Deres favour as Nick Smith made it 3-2. Smith cut in from his position on the right-wing, latching onto a through ball, beating a defender and then showed everyone why he’s already into double figures in terms of goals scored as he dinked the ball over Gindre and into the back of the net.

The visitors soon regained their two-goal advantage as Lee Allum capitalised on some poor defending to make it 4-2.

Five minutes later, Guildford were awarded a penalty, knowing that if they scored it a place in the Second Round would surely be assured. However, Grant Wallis had other ideas as he saved Mukabaa’s penalty to ensure his side still had a glimmer of hope.

It was soon to be 5-2 though as Harrison grabbed his second of the afternoon on the counter attack.

And it could have been 6-2 after 76 minutes, but an inspired Wallis somehow diverted a header onto the bar before his defence scrambled the ball away to safety.

Erith grabbed what appeared to be a consolation after 84 minutes when Lee Benevente nodded home his first goal for the Deres first team after some fine play from Smith.

And some more fine play from Smith as well as Aiden Pursglove resulted in the Deres making it 5-4 after 89 minutes. Smith cut the ball back to debutant Sam Prett who scored his first goal for the club to give the Deres genuine hope of forcing extra-time.

Erith were inches away from forcing extra-time as Prett’s outstretched leg was inches away form diverting a superb cross into the back of the net and a relieved Gindre caught the ball and the referee called time to an enthralling cup match as Gindre hoofed the ball up field.

ERITH & BELVEDERE: Wallis, Crawley, Hardie, Parker, Gross, Morgan (Perifimou 76), Smith, Johnson, Prett, White (Benevente 83), Button (Pursglove 72).
Sub: McKenna.

Attendance: 81

Chatham Town 3-1 Kingstonian
FA Carlsberg Trophy Preliminary Round

Chatham Town came into this cup tie as underdogs and the early exchanges certainly suggested that it would be a tough afternoon, writes Neil Sanders.

Kingstonian went straight on the attack and took the lead after 3 minutes when Dean Lodge cut across the edge of the 18 yard box and unleashed a right foot shot, which found the net via the far post.

They nearly increased the lead just before the half hour mark, when after a series of corners, Aaron Goode’s close range attempt was scrambled off the line.

Lodge continued to look dangerous and had two further first half efforts saved by John Whitehouse, as well as hitting the bar from just seven yards.

Chatham’s only response was a flick header from Steve Best, which required Luke Garrard to tip over the bar.

After the break, Lodge was still keeping the Chats defence busy, but Rob Goodger and Steve Best both put in excellent performances to limit the visitor’s opportunities.

Chatham started to look more dangerous when they forced three corners in a row after 70 minutes and Best then forced Garrard to tip over with a powerful long range effort.

Up until then there had been little sign of what was to come. The equaliser came in the 76^th minute when Tom Davey’s low cross was turned into his own net by Goode, under pressure from Gavin Schulz.

Chatham went ahead just a minute later thanks to another error in the Kingstonian defence.

This time it was Tommy Moorhouse who diverted the ball towards his own goal and despite a valiant effort by Garrard, the ball crossed the line.

As the game headed into stoppage time, Mark Brooks made a magnificent saving tackle in his own six yard box to prevent Kingstonian from claiming an equaliser.

Shane Suter then ensured Chatham’s progression when he tucked away an intelligent and unselfish set up from Dominic Elmes, after the latter had profited from a misguided defensive header.

This result was just the tonic that manager Phil Miles required to aid his recovery from an operation.

With new signing Chris Tedder making a decent debut and Darren Smith slotting back in nicely on his return from Maidstone, hopefully this could be the kick start that Chatham’s season needed.

Chatham Town: Whitehouse, King (Brooks 45), Davey, Tedder (Govey 71), Goodger, Best, Solly, Smith, Elmes, Schulz (Suter 89), Binks.

Erith & Belvedere 2-1 Kingstonian
London Senior Cup


Matt Johnson’s 117^th minute penalty saw Erith & Belvedere progress into the last 16 of the London Senior Cup and a ‘home’ tie against Welling United should the Wings beat Wealdstone, writes Thomas Hawes.

The visitors from Kingston-Upon-Thames fielded a weakened side following their 3-1 win over Cray Wanderers in the Ryman League Cup on Monday evening, and in the first half they certainly looked like a weakened side as the Deres took charge of the game.

Erith were ahead as early as 11 minutes into this Third Round tie when Aiden Pursglove netted his first goal for the club – and probably the easiest goal he’ll score during his time with the Deres.

Nick Smith did all the hard-work as he showed why Chris Cosgrove had decided to switch him to the left-wing as he zoomed to the by-line before cutting the ball back to Pursglove to tap-in his first goal for the club.

Chances were few and far between for both sides as the first half wore on, especially for the visitors although they managed to equalise before half-time – and what an equaliser it was.

Kingstonian were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out on the stroke of half-time and Lee Riddell coolly despatched the ball past Grant Wallis to make it 1-1.

Kingstonian never looked back after their equaliser as they dominated the second half.

Despite the K’s side being a mixture of fringe players and reserves, they looked like a side in second place in Ryman South and really should have grabbed a goal in the second period to book themselves a home tie in the next round.

On 64 minutes they almost got that goal. Gareth Graham drove the ball at goal, but the ball took a deflection off of a Deres defender and for all the world looked as if it was heading into the back of the net. Grant Wallis had other ideas though.

The former VCD Athletic shot-stopper continued his excellent recent run of form as he managed to change the way he was diving and tip the ball over the net for a corner.

Having survived the bombardment from the visitors, Erith were relieved to make it to extra-time for the second time in three games.

The first half of extra-time was a dull affair with little action, apart from a Nick Smith goal being disallowed for offside on 103 minutes.

Erith were to snatch victory though, just three minutes before the dreaded penalty shootout. Lee Benavente was fouled in the box and Matt Johnson stepped up to fire Erith & Belvedere into the last 16.

ERITH & BELVEDERE: Wallis, Perifimou, Hardie, Crawley (McKenna 61), Gross (capt.), Morgan, Parker (Farley 89), Johnson, Pursglove, White (Benavente 76), Smith.
Subs: Maycock, Button.

Attendance: 85

Ramsgate 4-2 Chatham Town
Ryman League Cup

This Westview Cup tie was certainly an entertaining and eventful match. Chatham welcomed back Ross Finn, Tom Davey and Shane Suter, although it turned out to be a very brief appearance for the latter, writes Neil Sanders.

Chances were created right from the start, with both Matt Solly and Tom Davey testing Ramsgate’s Jurgen Wild from long range.

At the other end Lee Minshul watched John Whitehouse turn his goalbound shot round the post in the 12^th minute.

Ramsgate took the lead from the resulting corner when a moment’s hesitation at the back post was all that Nick Davis needed to stab the ball home.

Chatham continued to press forward, playing some of their best football for a few weeks.

Rob Goodger hit the post with a towering header before they eventually got their reward two minutes before the interval.

A quick break out of defence found Craig Govey just inside the Ramsgate half, and a great first touch took him clean away from Will Graham. There was still plenty to do but the chipped finish was excellent.

Graham unfortunately left the field in an ambulance at half time with a twisted knee.

The visitors took the lead five minutes into the 2^nd half, when Matt Solly converted from the penalty spot, after Brad King had been brought down by Minshul.

Ramsgate equalised just after the hour mark with a well struck 25 yard kick from substitute Steffan Ball.

Two minutes later it was 3-2 to the hosts, when Shaun Welford’s flick on put Scott Holden clear, to tuck the ball past Whitehouse.

Shane Suter came off the bench for Chatham to face his former team as they looked for another equaliser, but within two minutes he was back in the changing room after receiving a straight red card, for what appeared to be a two-footed tackle on Welford.

Nick Bagley hit the post for Ramsgate and Dominic Elmes saw the ball bounce inches wide of the post after he had chased hard to block a clearance from Wild.

Holden made the game safe for Ramsgate five from time, when he notched second with a crisp first time finish.

Chatham Town: Whitehouse, King (Ascheri 82), Davey, Boots, Goodger, Groombridge (Suter 65), Finn (Elmes 61), Solly, Schulz, Binks, Govey.