Folkestone Invicta remain on course to win promotion as champions to the Ryman Premier Division despite coming from behind to draw one-all at ten-man Walton Casuals.

Harry Smith’s equaliser soon after The Seasiders went behind gave them a share of the spoils although the striker will think of what could have been when hitting the post from close-range in first half injury time.

Despite the league positions suggesting this would be easy for the visitors the first half suggested otherwise as The Stags started well on a heavy pitch.

However the visitors were first to strike at goal as Ian Draycott saw his snap-shot on the right hand side of the penalty area go narrowly high and wide.

The evident and deliberate tactic by the hosts to play the ball long over the high defensive line proved challenging for The Seasiders’ to deal with as Gabriel Odunaike proved to be a thorn in the visitors’ side – Through on goal early on he could only shoot low and straight at Tim Roberts who saved easily with his legs.

And it was that man Odunaike who opened the scoring as The Stags took the lead – Heading home from close range after an inviting cross on the left by Youseff Bamba (10) and moments later Odunaike was denied a second by Roberts as the ‘keeper diverted the strikers’ goal-bound effort onto the crossbar – An excellent save.

Despite dominating the early stages the league leaders soon neutralised The Stags’ lead as Smith stooped low to head home from close range (14).

Drawing level, you might have expected the visitors to push on however the hosts proved determined and unflustered and in quick succession halfway through the opening period Jack Sammoutis and Liam Collins both saw decent chances from range flashed high and wide, not troubling Roberts.

As the half wore on the visitors began to influence the game more in their favour as Draycott saw his close-range effort well saved and from the resulting corner Michael Everitt saw his header go harmlessly wide – Seconds later good work by Ashley Miller on the left hand side, skipping over a challenge like it wasn’t there, found Draycott who again couldn’t direct his shot home.

In first half injury time Smith will have been disappointed not to add to his tally, and give his side the lead – The tall front-man could only strike the foot of the post when scoring seemed the most likely outcome.

In a second half where midfield battles took precedence with neither side able to take full control to push on for the three-points, The Seasiders looked the better but were unable to find the breakthrough.

After a relatively quiet opening half Miller began to influence his sides forays forward – Soon into the second half he found himself bearing down on goal but home ‘keeper Brannon Daly was equal to keep out Miller’s low right footed effort – whilst on the hour his good footwork found Smith on the left hand side of the box but despite an inviting low cross across the six-yard line no Invicta player was able to provide the crucial touch to direct the ball home.

Moments later The Stags’ reminded the league leaders they wouldn’t get it all their way as an inviting first-time ball on the left by Peter Wedgeworth saw Omar Folkes strike the near-post – Roberts quick to react and smother the ball.

However it was The Seasiders’ who finished the stronger and in particular unlucky not to take the lead with just over ten minutes remaining – But The Stags showed great defensive resilience, keeping out a succession of shots on goal with defenders throwing bodies on the line to keep the ball out.

And Miller found Daly on good form as the game entered the final stages seeing his right foot curling effort from range tipped onto the crossbar and over.

The Stags finished the game with ten-men as substitute Stefan Cox, only on for fifteen minutes, lashed out somewhat unnecessarily on the halfway line, but it was too late for The Seasiders to make their man advantage count.

Involved in the only draw in the division over the weekend, Invicta remain unbeaten in 2016 and lead the pack by sixteen points with games running out to catch them

 

Walton Casuals: Daly, Collins, Wedgeworth, Nicholson, Cheadle, Paul, Bamba, Sammoutis, Folkes (Cox, 73), Day, Odunaike

Subs not used: Rowe, Rose, Roles, Boman-Flavell

Goal: Odunaike (10)

 

Folkestone Invicta: Roberts, Vincent, Wraight, Friend, Chappell, Everitt (Starkey, 58), Dolan, Heard (Wright, 67), Draycott, Smith, Miller

Subs not used: Rook, Heydon, Pressnell

Goal: Smith (14)

 

Att: 101