Folkestone Invicta top scorer Dan Smith struck midway through the first half to see off Whitehawk, Invicta reversing a 1-0 defeat to the Sussex side in our previous meeting in November.

After defeat to Chichester City on Tuesday night, Invicta reverted to a back 4 with Joel-Michael Odeniran returning to partner Ian Gayle at the centre of the defence and Nathan Green, sent off on Tuesday but not suspended until next week’s trip to Cheshunt, dropping to the bench. Luke Allen returned in midfield alongside Amadou Kassaraté, with Jack Jebb injured, while Ade Yusuff returned to the attack to partner Dan Smith. Folkestone Invicta Academy goalkeeper Daniel Kennedy made his first league start, deputising for Jonny Henly who was dismissed in injury time during last week’s win over Bognor Regis Town.

Invicta forced what would prove to be a rare save from Whitehawk goalkeeper Joseph Osaghae after just 5 minutes, an Evans Kauai cross headed into the path of Ade Yusuff to fired a vicious left-footed effort at the Whitehawk goal to sting the keeper’s palms.

It wasn’t until the the 35th minute that we saw the next shot on goal, Kennedy barely tested by an effort from Harry Bridle. Invicta ended the half with Luke Allen forcing a simple save from Osaghae, the halftime whistle allowing supporters to seek respite from the bitterly cold wind lashing the open terrace that Invicta attacked in the first half.

We were beyond the hour mark before Invicta saw their first sight of goal after the break, a corner punched towards captain Ian Gayle who headed back over a crowd of players but saw his effort cleared off the goal-line. Gavin Hoyte went close to his first Invicta goal shortly after with a cross that nearly sneaked under Osaghae’s crossbar.

But it was Dan Smith who eventually stuck the only goal of the afternoon midway through the half. Ade Yusuff collected a head from Kouassi and slipped a pass through the legs of Archie Johnson into the path of Smith who had managed to stay onside and raced into space to finish under Osaghae with his left foot.

Johnson was so nearly Whitehawk’s route back into the match, headed a corner beyond Kennedy only to see a long leg from Odeniran clear his effort off the goal-line.

It looked from there to be a routine afternoon for Invicta, until injury time as Bridle raced onto a ball in behind the Invicta defence, heading the ball in front of him before clattering into the onrushing Kennedy. Ian Gayle and Gavin Hoyte cleared efforts on goal before the referee brought play to a halt so that the young Invicta keeper could receive treatment.

Invicta held on for the victory to lift us above Chatham and Lewes into 11th in the Isthmian Premier Division with 7 games remaining.

Goalscorer Dan Smith was selected as Man of the Match by our match sponsors Folkestone Invicta Business Club.

New up for Invicta is a trip to Cheshunt before we return home to host Chatham Town.