For the second successive year Folkestone Invicta will challenge for promotion via the Ryman Division One South playoff final after they defeated Whyteleafe 2-1 after extra time.
Neil Cugley’s side finished second in the league on Saturday, allowing them to play at home throughout the playoff period which began with the visit of Whyteleafe- the team with the best away record in the playoffs. Cugley didn’t make any changes from the side which drew 1-1 with champions Burgess Hill Town.
After a fast paced start from both sides it was Whyteleafe who grabbed control of the game and after Ian Draycott fired over from 25 yards the fifth placed side began to push forward and with just nine minutes gone in the first half Jensen Grant played a pass through to Roscoe Dsane, but the attacker’s half volley flew over Tim Robert’s goal.
The ‘Leafe continued to put pressure on Tim Roberts and with the pace of Dsane and Jason Henry, they were able to create space for a weaving run from Sam Clayton, who was only able to force his shot wide.
Soon however, Folkestone began to work their way back into the game but after Ronnie Dolan’s deflected effort was awkwardly gathered by Sheikh Ceesay, whose side quickly forced more attacks on their hosts.
First Jason henry was able to beat the offside trap from the right wing but his cross flew towards goal, troubling Roberts but he ball dipped too late. Soon after a long pass from Jason Thompson allowed Dsane to go through on goal but Liam Friend did well to recover and force the ball out for a corner and just minutes later Dsane hit the post after Sam Clayton’s shot from the left was saved, but the quick striker couldn’t convert from two yards out.
Another great chance came to Jason henry, but after turning past Frankie Chappell with ease his left footed shot went agonisingly wide.
Despite this constant bombardment, it was Folkestone who took the lead just three minutes before half time when, after a good piece of play between Dolan and Matt Newman the latter was able to fire a shot towards Ceesay who was able to tip the shot wide. From Dolan’s corner the ball was met by the head of Liam Friend before Ian Draycott forced the ball in from close range, scoring his 43rd goal of the season to give his side the lead at half time.
Early in the second half Folkestone’s goal was quickly cancelled out when, after a long pass forward, Frankie Chappell was unable to control it, allowing Roscoe Dsane to get through and slide a shot past Tim Roberts’ right post, giving his side hope with the majority of the second half remaining.
The hosts’ search for another goal to put them ahead began and, almost as quickly as Whyteleafe equalised, Ronnie Dolan enough space to get a shot away but his effort was blocked.
Throughout the second half this space continued to open up and, soon after Dolan’s shot was blocked he played a pass across to Ian Draycott who steered his left footed shot wide. The pressure continued when Richard Atkins’ half volley flew over and, after some clever play from Jordan Wright, Draycott hit another shot over the target.
With time running out the hosts’ search for a winning goal continued and after a long throw was volleyed over by Michael Everitt, Richard Atkins gave the ball to Jordan Wright but the winger’s effort was deflected before being gathered by Ceesay, meaning both sides were forced into extra time.
With one of the first attacks of extra time, it was Folkestone who were able to go ahead and, much like their first, it came from a corner. Jon Pilbeam found a pass into the path of Richard Atkins whose low shot was tipped wide. Whyteleafe were unable to fully clear the resulting corner, allowing Matt Newman to find a run from Jordan Wright at the far post before Wright volleyed a side footed shot across the goalkeeper before hitting Jason Thompson who bundled the ball into the net.
The drama at the Fullicks stadium was not over, however. After some quick footwork from Jensen Grant he put a cross into the area towards Jason henry who, in the eyes of the referee, had been pushed. Looking to redeem himself of his earlier mistake Thompson stepped up before powering the spot kick over the stand.
Despite some intriguing decisions from both managers, Folkestone were able to hold on throughout half time, despite Whyteleafe substituting on Tom Pratt, giving them some further attacking options.
After an impressive game, Ronnie Dolan nearly confirmed the win for Invicta when his late free kick was misjudged by Ceesay, forcing the goalkeeper to tip the ball onto the crossbar before it was hurried away.
Despite Whyteleafe pushing every outfield player forward in the final moments of the game it wasn’t enough, as Folkestone Invicta will go on to play Merstham at home after they beat Faversham Town in the other semi-final.
Folkestone Invicta: Roberts, Vincent, Blanks, Friend, Chappell, Newman, Wright, Dolan (Pilbeam), Draycott, Atkins (Miller), Everitt
Subs not used: Wraight, Austin, Fender
Whyteleafe: Ceesay, Hamlin, Bird, Patterson- Bohner, Obamwonyi, Thompson (Pratt), Fowler (Graham), Grant, Dsane (Andrews), Clayton, Henry
Subs not used: Smith, Penfold
Referee: Mr P Howard
Assistants: Mr T Parfitt and Mrs L Benn