Folkestone Invicta exited the FA Trophy at the 2nd Round stage, beaten at the Alcaline Stadium by Southern League Premier South side Hanwell Town.

Andy Drury’s team selection was heavily influenced by a number of players either injured or cup-tied. Box-to-box midfielder Amadou Kassaraté was forced to return to the centre of defence, as he had played in previous round, with both Ian Gayle (injury) and Joel-Michael Odeniran (cup-tied) unable to start. Kassaraté’s absence from the midfield afforded a start to Sam Blackman, while a front 3 of Dan Smith, Tom Derry and Khale Da Costa almost picked itself with Joe Turner also cup-tied and Matthias Fanimo only fit enough for the bench having not trained since picking up a knock while warming up 2 weeks earlier at Carshalton.

Attacking the West Stand, Invicta showed early attacking intent, a break from the halfway line leading to Tom Derry shooting comfortably wide after just 90 seconds.

Invicta’s need to find a spark took setback on 20 minutes as Da Costa went down with an injury and had to be replaced by the only attacking option available from the bench, Fanimo introduced a lot earlier than Drury would likely have wanted.

Despite controlling the ball, Invicta struggled for creativity in the final third of the pitch and found chances few and far between. Jebb shot from distance midway through the half and Fanimo saw an effort deflected for a corner on 37 minutes while the visitors looked to counter quickly, Invicta remaining defensively solid when required.

Shortly before the beak Smith found Derry with a cross to the back post but his header failed to hit the target, Jebb recovering it only to be flagged offside. Henly was then forced into his first save of thew afternoon, a low driven effort from an angle but straight at the goalkeeper.

Unfortunately for Invicta it was the visitors who found another gear after the interval, taking the lead on the hour mark. A cross from the right found big forward Alfie Pendlebury, his glancing header sneaking inside the far post.

It wasn’t until the 74th minute that Invicta tested the goalkeeper in the search for an equaliser. Matthias Fanimo shooting from distance but the save taken comfortable by Sam Beasant, son of former England goalkeeper Dave Beasant.

Inivcta had Hanwell pegged into their defensive third but an ability to change things in the final third showed. Eze Ebuzoeme and Jamie Mascoll were sent on with 12 minutes remaining as the manager looked to inject something that may snatch the goal to take the tie to a penalty shootout.

Time ticked away and deep into stoppage time Hanwell sealed the win after an uncharacteristic mistake from Henly gifted the ball to Mat Mackenzie who found the empty net to consign Invicta to an FA Trophy exit.

The match was sponsored by The Invicta Meldrews who selected Marvel Ekpiteta as Man of the Match, his second in a row having also been picked the previous week against Cray Wanderers. We thank The Invicta Mildews for their continued support of the club.

Invicta are now left to concentrate on the Isthmian Premier Division for the remainder of the season.