Folkestone Invicta maintained their unbeaten start to their 2014/15 campaign with a 1-1 draw at newly promoted side Whyteleafe Tuesday night.

Despite a dominant display in possession of the ball for long periods Folkestone were unable to take full advantage and penetrate Whyteleafe’s resilient defence sufficiently to pick up all three points.

The visitors showed plenty of endeavour in the opening half of this Ryman League clash between two sides well positioned in the league table albeit early on in the season but they, like their hosts, were unable to find the crucial final ball to unlock the respective defences.

In the opening couple of minutes Invicta’s Paul Booth picked up the ball on the half-way line and, in reaching the box, forced home ‘keeper Sheikh Ceesay into a smart save low down from close range.

The visitors’ Ian Draycott showed plenty of promise forcing Whyteleafe’s defence on the back foot on numerous occasions but, of note, saw a close range effort dragged across the face of goal with no-one gambling on the lose ball and later in the half finding himself one-on-one with ‘keeper Ceesay who was quick to react and intercept the loose ball before the striker had a chance on goal.

Whyteleafe had few forays into the Invicta half in the opening 45 minutes but reminded the visitors of the danger at 0-0 with Greg Andrews heading straight at ‘keeper Tim Roberts when finding space in front of his marker and strike partner Sam Clayton could only shoot straight at Roberts when well placed in front of goal – Roberts getting down well to stop the strikers’ low effort.

Bentley Graham later hit the post for the hosts but was adjudged to be offside upon receiving the ball and as the half came to an end Graham shot from long range but it was easily taken once again by Roberts.

Within five minutes of the restart Invicta took the lead. Dane Luchford broke clear on the right side of the penalty area and coolly slotted the ball under the advancing Ceesay.

With fifteen minutes remaining Whyteleafe, who had their backs to the wall for large periods of the second half, had their resilience rewarded when Captain Jason Thompson scored a well taken left footed curling free kick, beating Roberts low to his left.

Folkestone pushed for the winner their dominance certainly in possession if not in goal scoring opportunities deserved but lively substitute Jon Pilbeam was unable to find his team mates’ in attacking positions when twice beating his full back putting inviting crosses into the penalty area and Ceesay made an easy save when the No’ 12 was well placed inside the penalty area.

 

Whyteleafe: Ceesay, T. Smith, Penfold, Hollingsworth, Merchant, Thompson ©, Fowler (Mensah, 61), Grant, Clayton (Harper, 61), Andrews, Graham

Subs Not Used: Pratt, Lyle, Burnett

Goals: 75 (Thompson)

Folkestone Invicta: Roberts, Vincent, Blanks, Friend ©, Chappell, Newman, Luchford (Pilbeam, 76), D. Smith, Draycott, Booth, Everitt

Subs Not Used: Edge, Elliott, Coyne

Goals: 50 (Luchford)

Referee: Mr John Pike

Assistants: Mr Michael Ryan and Mr Steven Hughes