First half strikes from Matt Newman, Ian Draycott and Ashley Miller ensured another three points for Folkestone as they maintained their place at the top of the Ryman Division One South.
Invicta started the day in first, a place which they held comfortably ahead of second placed Molesey. Having only lost one home game all season they welcomed 20th placed Peacehaven and Telscombe in the first season after the Magpies’ relegation in the 2014/15 season. The visitors were in a terrible run of form, having not won in nine games in all competitions.
Neil Cugley only made one change from his side’s disappointing defeat at Dorking Wanderers, this came in midfield with Michael Everitt taking the place of Ashley Miller.
Folkestone kicked off and the wind was an immediate issue, they would be attacking into the wind, forcing them to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible. The first chance of the game fell to the visitors and, after an impressive weaving run from the left wing, Dan Perry found Josh Marshall in the middle but his weak shot was easily saved by Tim Roberts.
Only two minutes later Invicta took the lead through Matt Newman. Taking control of a long ball forward, Carl Rook put a cross from the right hand side towards Ian Draycott, who was only able to put his diving header against the bar. Luckily for the hosts, Newman swept up the rebound and put a shot past Alieu Secko for an early lead.
With Folkestone still struggling against the wind, Peacehaven began to create some chances of their own. Jamie Brotherton found Dan Perry on the right post put the attacker could only volley wide. Soon after a counter attack gave Perry another chance, but this time he forced a save from Roberts, who tipped the ball over for a corner which was easily cleared.
As Peacehaven seemed to work their way back into the game, Folkestone reduced their hope of a positive result when Ian Draycott scored his side’s second of the afternoon after 38 minutes. A cross from Josh Vincent fell to Carl Rook at the far post, only for the attacker to head the ball into the path of Draycott whose clinical finish was his 13th goal of the season.
Early in the second half it seemed as though Peacehaven would be able to push their way back into the game when, on 51 minutes, Folkestone were unable to clear a corner, allowing Ryan Worrell to shoot through a crowded penalty area, where the ball fell to the feet of Dan Perry who slid a composed finish past Roberts.
After losing their two goal lead, the hosts went out to get it back, soon after the goal Carl Rook layed the ball off to Drayott on the edge of the area who shot over before Rook had a chance of his own, forcing Secko to make an impressive low save. From the resulting corner Frankie Chappell had a chance, but his header at the far post went inches wide.
After a lacklustre period where the conditions had more of an influence on the game that the players, the hosts began their next set of attacks, Ashley Miller’s cross from the right found Jon Pilbeam who hit the outside of the post. To finish the game off, Miller, who had only just come on for Rook, scored Folkestone’s third after being set up by Scott Heard’s impressive run down the left wing.
Invicta keep their six point lead at the top of the table whilst also having three games in hand over second placed Ramsgate. One of these games will be on Tuesday when they welcome South Park as they look to increase their lead at the top of the table.
Folkestone Invicta: Roberts, Vincent, Blanks, Friend, Chappell, Newman, Everitt, Heard, Draycott, Rook (Miller), Pilbeam (Wright)
Subs not used: Heydon, Wells, Sparks
Peacehaven and Telscombe: Secko, Welch, Marzetti, Zydonik, Badger, Worrell, Agnoly, Logan, Perry (Schaaf), Brotherton, Marshall
Subs not used: Martin, Sutton, Hunter, Hutchings
Referee: Mr S Brown
Assistants: Mr P Zachwieja and Mr L Judd