Three first half goals from Mikey Berry, Jake Hutchinson and Joe Pigott blew away AFC Dunstable in a windswept encounter in Bedfordshire as Folkestone Invicta secured their spot in the FA Trophy First Round Draw.
Berry netted his first Invicta goal midway through the first half before Hutchinson quickly added a second from a corner with Joe Pigott capitalising on an error from the hosts’ goalkeeper to wrap up the tie before the half time break. Invicta failed to take chances to increase the scoring in the second half before a late consolation for Dunstable denied us a clean sheet.
Invicta made the 120-mile journey to Creasey Park looking to start another cup run off the back of the previous weekend’s win at Horsham. Manager Jay Saunders opted to make full use of his squad, making five changes to his starting XI. Berry and Hutchinson came in along with Montel McKenzie, Jack Jebb and Ronnie Dolan, as Kevin Lokko, Donell Thomas and Josh Strouts dropped to the bench and Dean Rance and Ben Mason were left out of the matchday squad.
AFC Dunstable kicked off the afternoon with Invicta attacking with the strong wind in the first half. Jack Jebb fired narrowly wide from a free kick and Joel-Michael Odeniran headed another over the crossbar inside the first 10 minutes as both sides battled the conditions.
Invicta broke the deadlock midway through the half. A big defensive header from Liam Smith just inside the Dunstable half reached the edge of the penalty area where a poor clearance sent it up into the air, Mikey Berry nipping around one defender to be first to the ball before turning inside another and rolling his finish beyond goalkeeper Matthew Bonsu, despite falling as he struck it.
The opening goal sparked life into Invicta, with Pigott firing just wide shortly after and Hutchinson forcing a good low save before Pigott and Berry both took aim to force a block and a save respectively, the ball cleared away for a corner. Jebb took the set piece, working a move to find Hutchinson in space inside the penalty area to fire home.
Invicta looked to have the tie wrapped up five minute before the break after a poor pass from Bonsu straight to Joe Pigott allowed the forward to float the ball back over the keeper’s head into the net.
Leading 3-0 at the break, Saunders gave Pigott the second half off, with Josh Strouts on in his place as the sun came out and the wind appeared to ease off a little.
Invicta applied early pressure in the second half before the hosts forced a first save from Collins with a low effort at his near post before firing another effort over the crossbar.
At the other end, Jebb forced a good low save with another free kick, Montel McKenzie fired just past the top corner and Finley Marjoram forced a simple save as Invicta looked to kill off the tie.
Having failed to do so, the hosts got a lift five minute from time as Thomas Feyisitan turned home a low cross from Aaron Addy to cut the deficit back to two.
Substitute Strouts forced two late saves from Bonsu as he looked to get his own name on the scoresheet and restore Invicta’s three-goal advantage, but the 3-1 scoreline was enough to secure Invicta a place in the first round where a trip to Burgess Hill Town awaits.
Invicta now take the week off to prepare for Saturday’s FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round tie away to Southend United. Our supporters’ travel has sold out but supporters can add their name to our reserve list by contacting tickets@folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk
