Neutrals in another big crowd of almost 500 must have loved this almost alarmingly open game of football as Invicta popped romped back up to second spot in the Bostik Premier Division and took revenge for two defeats against the Police side earlier this season.

We’re trying hard to avoid any puns regarding the long arm of the law and copping out, etcetera, as by their own admission Jim Cooper’s side have not included any serving officer for quite some time now.

As always, however, they occasionally made things difficult for Folkestone with their seemingly perennial physical approach which led to a couple of early booking from largely unimpressive referee Ricky Adams as Invicta again made most of the early running at the Fullicks Stadium.

Taking the game to the opposition as he always does, leading scorer Ade Yusuff personifies and inspires the home side’s attacking spirit and it was he who drove a well struck effort just inside the near post to put Folkestone ahead on 13 minutes.

But their lead lasted barely five minutes when the suspiciously offside looking Jay Gasson beat Tim Roberts to level in what was arguably the Met’s first meaningful attack of the game.

Those well placed to judge reckoned that Gasson and another Police man were a long way offside, but the linesman signalled a goal!

Visiting keeper Tom Williams had produced several vital saves just to keep the Police in contention up till then and did well to deal with a fiercely struck effort from Sam Hasler.

But it was midfielder Hasler who restored Invicta’s advantage with a typically powerful low strike from well outside the 18 yard box, again just inside the post, with Williams, perhaps this time unsighted, hardly moving as the home fans breathed a sigh of relief.

At times, Folkestone had looked worryingly open at the back, but their anxiety eased when the fit again Johan Ter Horst finished another good attacking move for Invicta with an excellent strike from a very narrow angle.

The 3-1 scoreline – and the way their team were playing – sent the home fans in at break confident that their side were on the way to an important victory.

It had been a relief for the home side to be able to include both recently injured strikers Ter Horst and Ian Draycott following knocks.

Joe Taylor – who had arguably his best game of the season so far – forced home Folkestone’s fourth goal of the game within seconds of the second half restart after the goalkeeper fumbled Yusuff’s powerful strike from the edge of the box.

But again the visitors hit back too quickly for the home fans’ liking from a free-kick that was converted by Adam Goode to reduce the deficit to two goals once again.

Those of a more nervous disposition fretted needlessly as the Police side kept going forward with considerable intent before Invicta hit the bar for the second time in the game as Taylor’s fierce shot rattled the woodwork 20 minutes from time.

It was virtually all over, however when Kieron McCann finished off another excellent flowing move to complete the scoring inside the final quarter hour of normal time.

Folkestone Invicta: Roberts, Dolan, Blanks, Newman (Madden 88), Davies, Hasler (Everitt 80), Ter Horst (Draycott 74), Aboagye, Taylor, Yusuff, McCann. Subs not used: Baker, Coleman

Referee: Ricky Adams

Attendance: 468

Sponsors’ Man of the Match: Sam Hasler

Images courtesy of Don Linkin