Four goals in ten second first half meant that Faversham Town and Folkestone Invicta were forced to share the points at the Shepherd Neame Stadium.

With both sides challenging for promotion, this was a great chance to show their ability against not only a team close to them in the table, but also a local rival.

Faversham came into the game in the final playoff place, having only lost three home games all season, the Lilywhites were confident in being able to stop an impressive Invicta side; manager Ray Turner made three changes from his side’s 2-1 win in Guernsey, Ashley Brown took the place of Jamie Maxted at full back whilst Matt Borne and Renford Tenye also came into the team.

The visitors were running away with the Ryman South, having lost only four games all season and starting the day 13 points clear of second placed Dorking. After a 3-1 win against Sittingbourne Neil Cugley kept the same starting eleven as he hoped to continue Invicta’s impressive season.

The opening minutes of the game set the pace for the remainder of the first half, within minutes of kick off Faversham’s Liam King cut onto his left foot, only for his shot to be blocked by Liam Friend and for King to hit the rebound against Tim Roberts in goal.

Folkestone soon worked their way back into the game and Ashley Miller had a chance to hit a free kick, only for it to be easily gathered by Will Godman. Free kicks continued to cause issues for both sides and the hosts nearly took advantage when George Monger’s left footed set piece hit the frame of the goal.

With three yellow cards in the opening fifteen minutes, the tempo of the game remained high and after Liam King nearly gave Faversham the lead, Ashley Miller came straight back to score the opener for the visitors from his position on the left wing. They almost doubled their lead on their next attack but Harry Smith was unable to convert from Phil Starkey’s cross.

It wasn’t long however, before the game was level. Just three minutes after the opening goal Renford Tenyue equalised. The attacker was able to get onto the end of Charley Robertson’s cross at the far post to erase the deficit.

The next goal in the crazy period came just four minutes later when Invicta restored their lead. Harry Smith turned towards goal and set Ashley Miller free on an overlapping run before the winger clipped an impressive shot over Godman.

Their second lead of the game only lasted another three minutes as Liam King brought the game level again. The attacker’s inswinging corner evaded everyone and bounced in at the far post, meaning the sides were level going into half time.

The second half was a complete contrast to the first period, both teams pushed on looking for a goal which would give them the lead, but it never came. The hosts controlled the opening of the half but after Matt Bourne’s header was cleared off the line, Liam King’s effort was blocked despite finding himself in a good position thanks to great work from Robertson and Ryan Cooper.

Folkestone had their own opportunities though, Phil Starkey found the head of Harry Smith from the right who hit a header against the bar, only for Will Godman to gather the ball around a sea of bodies.

The hosts had the final chances of the game through King, whose low shot after turning towards goal was well saved, and substitute Jamie Maxted who could only fire a shot wide at the near post, meaning the sides needed to settle for a point each.

After Dorking also drew, Folkestone’s lead at the top of the table remains at 13 points, and will stay that way when they face Whyteleafe at home on Tuesday.

Faversham also remain where they were, but they are now only in the playoff places by one point. They won’t be playing in midweek, meaning they can prepare for the short trip to bottom placed Whitstable Town.

 

Faversham Town: Godman, Cooper, Brown, Carrington, Scarborough, Bourne, Robertson, Monger, King, Harvey, Tenyue (Maxted)

Subs not used: Botterill, Dawodu, Sellens

Folkestone Invicta: Roberts, Vincent, Wraight, Friend, Chappell, Everitt (Dolan), Starkey, Heard, Draycott (Wright), Smith, Miller

Subs not used: Rook, Edge, Sparks

Attendance: 404