folkvburn170404

Another draw for Folkestone

Folkestone guaranteed promotion despite drawing fifteenth game of campaign

Folkestone Invitca 1-1 Burnham
Dr Martens League Eastern Division
Saturday 17 April 2004
by Richard Murrill

Draw specialists Folkestone Invicta were held again as they could only draw 1-1 at home to Burnham at the Westbourne Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Defeats elsewhere for Banbury United and Bashley mean that Invicta are guaranteed a top seven finish and promotion when the non-league constitution is re-structured during the summer.

But this was to be another disappointing afternoon for Neil Cugley’s side who have now drawn 15 league matches this season and have now gone six matches without a win.

Invicta opened the scoring in the 19^th minute when Anthony HOGG fired the ball into the net after being put through down the middle by Mark Munday.

But Burnham grew in confidence as the game went on and equalised in the 80^th minute when Jon HORSTED got the slightest of touches ahead of Invicta captain Scott Lindsey when Alex Toley played the ball in from the right hand side.

Invicta had started well enough as striker James Dryden shot wide across goal after just 52 seconds.

Burnham goalkeeper Steven Smith recovered to keep out a Dryden header at the far post in the 17^th minute after initially giving the ball away to Steve Lawrence on the left hand side of the box.

The visitors came straight back down the other end after the Invicta goal and Horsted whipped in a dangerous cross from the left which flew just in front of Toley in the middle.

Invicta had Micheal Eveirtt to thank after 44 minutes when the hard-working right back made a saving tackle on Steve Lockhart inside the penalty area.

The biggest cheer of the second half for home supporters came when John Ayling was brought on after 54 minutes for his first appearance since injury ankle ligaments on the Isle of Wight at the start of March.

But not even Ayling could conjure up any magic formula for Invicta on this occasion.

Referee D. Buck did his best to enliven proceedings as he sent Burnham manager Steve Mellor to the stands after 61 minutes, having earlier had words with Invicta manager Cugley on the touchline during the first half.

A good long range shot from Tom Nutter flew just over the Invicta crossbar after 62 minutes, while at the other end goalscorer Hogg shot over after 69 minutes as Invicta pressed for a second goal.

Daryl Jones headed just wide following a Burnham corner from the right after 77 minutes, but the visitors were soon to level the scores.

Burnham goalscorer Horsted was the game’s only booking for a foul on Everitt after 71 minutes.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Kessell, Everitt, Lamb, Flanagan, Guest, Lindsey, Chandler, Munday, Dryden, Lawrence (Ayling 54 mins), Hogg.  Unused subs: Watkins, Blackman, Walker, Dyson.

BURNHAM: Smith, Braich (Brown 72 mins), Brett, Horsted, Emms, Nutter, Logie, Ferdinand, Jones, Lockhart, Toley (Cannon 86 mins). Unused sub: Elliott.

Attendance: 326.