Windsor & Eton 0-1 Folkestone Invicta - Invicta continue their impressive away form

A 52^nd minute header from James Everitt took Folkestone Invicta into the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup as Neil Cugley’s side own Tuesday night’s replay away to Windsor & Eton at Stag Meadow, writes Richard Murrill.

Invicta’s reward is a home tie against Hillingdon Borough, also of the British Gas Business (Southern League) South & South West Division, on Saturday October 13^th after the latter’s 2-1 home win over Enfield Town in another of Tuesday night’s replays.

Everitt is making his mark in this season’s competition having also opened the scoring in the previous round’s replay at Horsham YMCA and made his 100^th starting appearance for the club in Saturday’s initial goalless draw in this tie.

And the 20-year-old was the match winner when – having been knocked down when the ball came in - he rose from his knees to guide the ball into the roof of the net after Mark Saunders had headed Kevin Watson’s corner from the right hand side back across goal.

The versatile Everitt was playing at right back as Invicta reverted to the 4-5-1 formation which has proved so successful for them on their travels so far this season.

The system sees Watson move across to left midfield, with Damian Abel coming on out wide on the right and Leigh Bremner – returning from injury – playing the lone striker role which he seems to relish, with James Corbett just behind him.

And goalkeeper Charlie Mitten came in for his Invicta debut after being out with a thigh injury since joining the club during the summer and will have been pleased with a clean sheet as the Folkestone side extended their unbeaten run to eight matches.

Mitten got down to save from striker Jermaine Roche within the opening minute, whilst at the other end home goalkeeper Sam Mazurek got up to hold a Bremner header after seven minutes when captain Roland Edge headed on a Samuel Kola Okikiolu ball in following a James Everitt throw on the right.

And the visitors had penalty appeals waved away in the 13^th minute when Bremner went down after latching onto a Watson ball down the left hand side.

Mitten saved a low Jon Case shot after 20 minutes when a Ryan Parsons cross from the left came back out to the edge of the penalty area.

Invicta then had to survive two real scares midway through the first half. Roche shot over from close range at the far post when Matt Seedel headed a free kick down after 25 minutes and Seedel then had the ball in the net a minute later but the ‘goal’ was ruled out for offside following good work by Roche down the left hand side.

There were chances at both ends in the 34th minute as a far post Abel shot was cleared off the line after Corbett had also gone close in a move involving Saunders and Bremner. Windsor then broke straight down the other end and had the ball in the net again, only for Seedel’s effort to be ruled out this time for handball.

Mark Burgess hit a low shot at Mitten from the edge of the penalty area after 49 minutes.

But Invicta were soon to win their decisive corner when Corbett made room for himself and Mazurek pushed his subsequent shot over the crossbar.

Bremner then forced another corner for the visitors when Abel played the ball in after 58 minutes.

Mitten got across to save from Seedel in the 60^th minute when the striker reacted quickly as the ball came back to him off Roche’s heel and Okikiolu beat Case to the rebound.

Abel shot at Mazurek in the 68^th minute when some great skill from Bremner left defender Mark Cooper on the floor as Invicta chased a second goal.

But centre half Liam Friend deflected a Roche shot out for a corner after 71 minutes as the home side went in search of an equaliser.

And Windsor captain Steve Butler missed a good chance to equalise in the 81^st minute when he sidefooted his shot wide after Terry O’Connor had found Roche down the right.

Invicta had a chance to increase their lead during stoppage time when Abel burst through the middle, but goalkeeper Mazurek came out to save with his feet.

WINDSOR & ETON: Mazurek, O’Connor, Parsons, Cooper, Butler, Williams, Ngongu, Case, Roche, Seedel, Burgess (Chennels 76).
Subs: Taylor-Ives, Warner, Chandiram, Ifura.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Mitten, J. Everitt, Edge, Okikiolu, Friend, Watson, M. Everitt, Saunders (Briggs 80), Bremner (Remy 80), Abel, Corbett.
Subs: Chappell, Sly, Stonebridge.

Attendance: 144