For the second time in 2024, Folkestone Invicta fell to an injury time defeat at Whitehawk’s Enclosed Ground. With the afternoon seemingly heading towards a stalemate, a free kick from Andrew Briggs in the 94th minute gave the Sussex side the 3 points.
Invicta headed to the south coast with the momentum of 4 consecutive league wins, 3 at the Alcaline Stadium as well as a 1-0 victory at Horsham on Tuesday evening, but a rejuvenated Whitehawk side coupled with a mounting list of absentees for Andy Drury helped the shape the course of the afternoon with Invicta never managing to look like the side we have seen in recent weeks.
The manager was deprived of captain Ian Gayle in the centre of his defence, having come off in the first half of the win at Horsham, meaning Joal-Michael Odeniran partnered Marvel Ekpiteta. Sam Blackman had come into the midfield on Tuesday evening with Amadou Kassaraté deployed in a wide role, but Amadou was absent on Saturday for his wedding (congratulations to the new Mr & Mrs Kassaraté), meaning Tom Derry returned in attack. Options on the bench were limited, with Matthias Fanimo and Khale Da Costa included, although only deemed fit enough for a potential cameo appearance, while under 18 and academy captain Lucas Dent joined the 1st team squad for the first time.
Kicking off the afternoon attacking down the infamous slope, a 3rd minute free kick from Jack Jebb failed the threaten the target but would go on to be Invicta’s only shot of the first hime.
It was Jonny Henly who was the busier of the goalkeepers all afternoon. First forced into a tame save after 24 minutes, the Invicta no. 1 had to be at his very best in the 34th minute to deny a close range header from Henry Hawkins. Forward Callum Barlow got a foot to another free kick a few minutes later in an almost identical position but turned the ball over the crossbar.
Invicta had come into the match with only 2 fit senior players on the bench and were forced into those changes, first Eze Ebuzoeme replacing Jebb at half time before Jamie Mascoll had to take the place of Odeniran to force a defensive reshuffle.
Whitehawk began to up the pressure on Henly’s goal after the hour mark, Frankie Morgan forced into a superb clearance to deny a chance from a deep free kick before another saw Barlow fail to head home at the back post when he looked like he should have scored.
Despite being second best, Invicta went a whisker away from snatching the points twice in the final 15 minutes. First, a Morgan cross from the left found Derry who was denied by a combination of Jasper Sheik pushing the ball onto the post twice before kicking it off the goal-line. Moments later it was Dean Rance who was denied his first Invicta goal, a dipping volley from distance tipped onto the post again by Sheik.
Substitute Briggs gave Invicta a warning of his ability striking a set piece in the final few minutes of the 90, an effort from long range forcing Henly down to push it away from the bottom corner. Henly was however only a spectator in the 94th minute as Briggs struck another effort from closer to goal, getting the ball up over the wall and striking the inside of the post on its way into the net to see Invicta fall to an injury time defeat at the Enclosed Ground for the second time in 2024.
Invicta will have the chance to bounce back when we host Cheshunt on Saturday 7th December followed by back-to-back away trips to Potters Bar Town (played at Kings Langley) and Chatham Town.
