It wasn’t quite like we don’t like Mondays but this stalemate was a long way from being the holiday entertainment that the season’s best gate of 946 were probably hoping for at the Fullicks Stadium in what has proved Invicta’s only game of the holiday weekend.

But third placed Folkestone started and finished the day third in the Bostik Premier Division while the two sides above them saw their fairly winnable matches called off through waterlogged pitches.

And, having gone into this Kent derby five points better off than the Thanet outfit, it was a game that the ‘Gate needed to win more than their hosts.Home fans would have loved another win over our former captain Liam Friend’s side, but they hadn’t come to play a game of open football, and – unlike in their 3-1 victory at Hartsdown Park on New Year’s Day – this time Neil Cugley’s men were unable to open up the big and physically determined visiting defence.

Football-wise there was very little that will stay in the memory, which was disappointing, but it does always take two sides to tango.

Folkestone began the game on the front foot without ever troubling bulky former Chelsea and Watford goalkeeper Lennny Pidgeley unduly.

Steve Watt’s marauders came more into the contest as the first half progressed and how one of the ‘Gate strikers missed an open goal following a cross in from the right only he will know.

As if home fans really cared!

The deadlock wasn’t broken until six minutes after the hour when the well travelled Frannie Collin fired across goal from the left and inside the far post when a long corner found him free beyond the far post to give ‘Gate the lead
Sadly Invicta never got close to the fine passing football that has taken them where they are in the league. They simply weren’t allowed to on this occasion.

But not long after he replaced Johan Ter Horst off the bench it was sub Ian Draycott’s goalbound effort that was handled by Margate defender Tom Wynter to let the home side back into the game.

Referee Steven Hughes had not impressed earlier but it was his assistant who pointed to the spot and Ade Yusuff did the rest after Wynter became the second Margate fullback to get his marching orders in successive games.

Neither side genuinely looked likely to snatch all three points from that moment on, if we are honest so a point apiece it was.

Folkestone Invicta: Roberts, Dolan, Blanks, Newman, Davies, Hasler, Ter Horst (Draycott 70), Aboagye, Taylor, Yusuff, McCann

Subs not used: Everitt, Madden, Walmsley, Coleman

Referee: Steven Hughes

Attendance: 946

Sponsors Invicta Meldrews/In Memory of Peter Gavin Men of the match: Callum Davies and Nat Blanks.

We thank all our sponsors, including Matchball guests S C Developments, for their support.

Pictures supplied by Don Linkin and Dave Shackle.