Second half goals from Ian Draycott, Callum Wraight and Harry Smith gave Folkestone Invicta another league win, whilst sending Sittingbourne further towards the relegation zone of the Ryman South.

Invicta began the day as convincing leaders of the league, finding themselves 14 points clear there was some space for mistakes, but hang been unbeaten in 6 losing points looked unlikely. Despite this Sittingbourne went to the coast in good form of their own. They hadn’t lost any of their three games in February. The hosts’ manager, Neil Cugley, made one change from his side’s impressive 4-0 win at South Park in their previous fixture, this came at full back with Wraight taking the place of Nat Blanks. In comparison, Nick Davis made one change from the Brickies team who beat Walton Casuals 2-0 in their last match with Dan Hughes replacing Jordan Wells up front.

The wet pitch had a major impact on the opening minutes of the game as both teams looked to adapt to the ball skimming off the surface. The visitors seemed to get used to the pitch quicker as they pushed on looking for an opening goal. First Dan Hughes’ close range shot was saved by Tim Roberts and soon after Steven Ita found Miles Cornwell who was also denied by Roberts.

Folkestone soon found their way into the game though, and they showed why they are top of the league when a quick one- two between Scott Heard and Ian Draycott allowed the former space for a shot, but his effort across goal rolled wide. Minutes later a goal-line scramble ensued from a corner but it culminated in Josh Vincent firing over.

Their pressure went on with Harry Smith looking for a penalty which wasn’t given before the striker cut inside from the left wing, only to see his right footed shot fly wide.

With only one minute of the half remaining the visitors were able to get the opening goal. A long kick from Adam Molloy fell into the path of Miles Cornwell who shook off the pressure form Frankie Chappell and slid a shot past Tim Roberts to give his side the lead at half time.

Sittingbourne’s lead didn’t last long though as just five minutes into the second half the league leaders were level when Ian Draycott poked a cross from the right.

The visitors pushed on after their lead was taken from them and looked for a second goal, but a good effort from Steven Ita as acrobatically tipped over by Tim Roberts.

Soon though, the turnaround was complete when a cross from Ashley Miller seemed to be easily taken by Adam Molloy, only for Callum Wraight to get in front of the goalkeeper to tap in his side’s second of the afternoon.

With time running out Sittingbourne needed to find an equaliser, a short corner fell to the feet of Tom Carlse who hit a low shot inches wide of the target, but it was the hosts who got the final goal, putting an end to the Brickies’ hopes of a point. Ian Draycott found Harry Smith to finish off a counter attack and the striker faked a shot before calmly placing a shot to the side of Molloy, giving his side a 3-1 win.

That win ensures that Invicta remain 12 points clear at the top of the table, whilst Sittingbourne remain in 17, but have played more games than the majority of teams below them.

Folkestone will now spend the week getting ready to make the short trip to playoff chasing Faversham Town whilst Sittingbourne have a shorter amount of time to prepare for the midweek trip to East Grinstead Town before Three Bridges travel to Woodstock Park.

 

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

Subs not used: Edge, Sparks

Sittingbourne: Molloy, Wright, Carlse, Whibley, Crimmen, Steventon, Akhazzan (Wisson), Bankole, Cornwell (Wells), Hughes (Irvine), Ita

Subs not used: Algar, Naessens

Referee: Mr C Myatt

Assistants: Mr D Procter & Mr H Tavakkoli

Attendance: 352