Folkestone Invicta 3-0 Kingstonian
Rubbing Salt Into The Wound

Kingstonian returned to Folkestone's Cheriton Road ground for the first time since opening their successful defence of the FA Trophy almost exactly five years ago, this time seeking important Ryman Premier League points.

Missing from action was midfielder Martyn Lee, whilst player/manager Scott Steele took charge from the sidelines with the team reverting to a 442 formation. Returning to action down the left side following injury were Bashiru Alimi and Dave Timothy.

The first action of the game came down the K's left, with Timothy and Alimi linking up before the latter was chopped down. The ensuing free kick, delivered by Mazin Ahmad, was plucked out of the air by home goalkeeper Tony Kessell.

Mark Zawadski's handling in the other goal was also tested, first by Dan Morrin and then Adam Flanagan. However, neither goalkeeper faced anything resembling a shot in the opening half hour.

A controversial moment seemingly missed by those down the side, and certainly by an otherwise fussy referee in Chris Salt, saw Phil Ruggles race in pursuit of a ball over the top only for the ball to be diverted from his path to goal by the forearm of the lone defender giving chase.

With the game increasingly stagnating, it suddenly came to life just before the crowds had slipped away to the warmer surrounds usually associated with the half time interval. Seemingly destined for a shot-less 45 minutes, two errors at the back for Kingstonian caused damage that ultimately cost them the game.

Attempting to control a hopeful long ball in the 38th minute, last man back Bashiru Alimi misjudged an awkward bounce and was instantly dispossessed by James Dryden who raced away on goal before dinking a neat finish over Zawadski to open the scoring.

Five minutes later, a Steve Norman cross was misjudged by Zawadski, and was only half-cleared to Paul Sykes who fired home a crisp finish across goal to double the margin.

K's picked up the tempo in the second half as they sought a way back into the game. Goalmouth action was, however, still at a premium.

On the hour mark a Mazin Ahmad corner, via substitute Ahmed Tchankou, found it's way through to Giles Coke six yards from goal. Kessell was quick off his mark and spread himself well to deny the K's youngster.

Another Ahmad corner almost created a goal when Steve Sanders rose to head past Kessell only for Steve Norman to clear off the line with a diving lunge.

At the other end James Dryden almost turned provider when crossing for John Guest to head just past the target.

Referee Chris Salt, a veteran of Kingstonian red cards past, was soon spending more time looking at his notebook than he was the game as the players' frustration starting t o spill over. Giles Coke, quite possibly the most influential player in a red and white shirt, was given his marching orders after two offences in quick succession.

Things took a further turn for the worse when Zawadski was unable to clear his lines when confronted by Dryden. From the resulting corner, Mark Munday rose at the far post to head home a third goal for Invicta.

The home side enjoyed the final ten minutes of the game with some crisp passing and neat interplay. Phil Ruggles had an opportunity to score a Kingstonian consolation when gifted the ball by Kessell, though the hard-working striker curled his strike wide of the beckoning target.

In a game where it was hoped things could come good, almost everything that could went wrong. Not immediately though, as K's started the brighter of two jaded looking sides. A few errors midway through the first half, first by the officials and then by the players saw things turn. Of those two variables only one is in our control and we need to ensure every last thing is done to get out of the precarious league position the club currently finds itself in.