WASTEFUL FINISHING IN TROPHY TIE MEANS NO REAL HOPES OF A 12-GOAL EPIC THIS TIME!

WOKING 2

FOLKESTONE INVCTA 0

Hopes of a repeat of the 12-goal epic from 1999 proved a long way off the mark, but while, once they had taken a two goal Woking never looked out of control of this FA Trophy tie at Kingfield, Folkestone still had a chance with the feeling that one goal might well lead to a second and a money-spinning replay at The Fullicks on Tuesday night.

Invicta produced the first real chance of the game when the ever-lively Kieron McCann’s fine third minute effort was pushed over the bar by keeper Craig Ross.

But Alan Dowson’s side gradually got into their stride and Tim Roberts – who went on to have an excellent game – produced three good saves as his goal came under threat.

Roberts was left helpless however when a goalbound effort was headed off the line by Phil Starkey only as far as Toby Edser who first the Cardinals ahead.

Despite plenty of energy from the visitors throughout the team, a second goal, scored by Paul Hodges followed not long after and at half-time, Invicta had a mountain to climb.

Petty referee Michael Ryan was far too prominent in the second period as both sides tested his somewhat suspect judgment.

The visitors lost Ronnie Dolan witch what appeared a knee or ankle problem just before the hour but look the lively side for a while  and Matt Newman just failed to force the ball into the net from a corner though some fans felt that off-side had been awarded and that any goal would not have stood.

Ten minutes from time, sub Ian Draycott wasted a glorious chance set up by a cross from the persistent menace of Ade Yusuff when he ballooned the bar woefully over the bar.

Woking themselves had just wasted two almost equally simple chances faced a nervy final 10 minutes or so as they wound down the clock.

So, this year’s FA Trophy run is over with more than £7,000 in a kitty and still plenty of work to do to secure Bostik League Premier Division football for a third season.

One final thought was that Alan Dowson’s Woking side have got even more work to do if they really hope to stay at the top of the Natonal League South and, on this evidence, did not look ongoing promotion contenders.

Invicta: Roberts; Starkey, Blanks, O’Mara, Davies, Dolan (Draycott 57), Newman, Everitt (Rowland 70), Paxman, Yusuff, McCann

Referee: Michael Ryan

Attendance: 805

• This result means that Folkestone now travel to Brighton for a league game on Tuesday and are back at the Fullicks to take on old rivals Merstham this coming weekend.