Traditionally Folkestone Invicta have had the Indian Sign over their neighbours from Hythe in the Christmas fixture, and this year was no different as Richard Atkins’ 69th minute goal separated the two sides.
Games between the two have usually had a bit about them; whether packed with goals, or incident, but this was poor fare for the 852 who ventured to the Fullicks Stadium.
As would be expected from a local derby, the match started at 100 miles an hour with only half chances falling to either side. Hythe’s Craig Thompson held off two defenders to fire a shot at Tim Roberts, after Paul Booth had scuffed an effort towards Roddy Hayward’s goal.
Booth had a better chance in the 8th minute, only to be denied by Hayward’s block, and the Hythe keeper did better to throw himself in front of Jordan Wright’s follow-up. The ball rebounded off the keeper’s body and was heading in until Laurence Harvey headed off the line.
Thompson put a looping header on target from a long diagonal ball by James Morrish, as it seemed Hythe possessed an aerial threat in Folkestone’s area. Then on 21, John Walker’s free-kick found Harvey unmarked 16 yards out, and his header left Roberts watching and hoping as the ball glanced the outside of the right hand post.
A mistake by Lewis Mingle while bringing the ball out in his own half allowed Invicta’s Nat Blanks to exchange passes with Ian Draycott, but Blanks fired his shot high over the bar.
An accidental collision in the Folkestone area saw Thompson replaced and Liam Friend hobbling through leg injuries; Friend would eventually be replaced at the interval. With Folkestone trying to regroup, Luke Harvey found himself in space to drive towards the home area. His 25-yard shot took an awkward bounce to beat Roberts’ dive, but cannoned back off the left post.
At the other end, Jordan Wright created an opening on the left corner of the Hythe area, and Hayward pulled off a good save, full-length to his right to turn Wright’s shot round the post.
Despite the loss of their captain at the break, Folkestone started the second half on the front foot and both Booth and Blanks had efforts deflected for corners within the first 5 minutes. Draycott had an increasing influence in setting up chances for Atkins and Josh Vincent, but Hythe’s defenders were always able to get a foot in to avert the danger.
On 68, Blanks found space overlapping on the left wing and put a dangerous ball into the Hythe area. Atkins managed to get across the front of Phil Stevenson to get a shot on target that saw Hayward get down well to his right, and the keeper was up quickly to block Atkins’ follow-up effort.
From the clearance, though, Callum Wraight put the ball back into the area, where Booth manoeuvred the ball past Hayward, allowing Atkins a tap in from 5 yards to break the deadlock.
In trying to protect their lead, Folkestone almost allowed Hythe back into the game. Wraight had to make a last-ditch interception to deny Sam Conlon, and a Walker run allowed Dave Pilcher a shot that was blocked by Matt Newman.
As the game moved into stoppage time, Booth released Jon Pilbeam on the right wing, and his low cross was met by Draycott, but steered past the right post.
The result means Folkestone will remain in fourth place, well within the playoff zone. While Hythe will enter the New Year looking over their shoulder as all four teams below them have games in hand.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Tim Roberts, Josh Vincent, Nat Blanks, Liam Friend (Callum Wraight 46), Frankie Chappell, Matt Newman, Jordan Wright (Jon Pilbeam 62), Richard Atkins, Ian Draycott, Paul Booth, Ronnie Dolan.
Subs not used: Flavius Fedor, Reece Palmer, George Fender.
Goal: Richard Atkins 69.
HYTHE TOWN: Roddy Hayward, John Walker, Lewis Mingle, Jamie Collado, Phil Stevenson, Laurence Harvey, Michael Yianni (Dave Pilcher 80), James Morrish, Craig Thompson (Sam Conlon 36), Luke Harvey, Jack Sellens (Jordan Wells 82).
Subs not used: Ryan Philpott, Jack Sullivan.
Attendance: 852
Referee: Mr Jack Packman
Assistants: Mr Kane Dempster and Mr Karl Sear