Folkestone Invicta were beaten by a ruthless Billericay side who maintained their unbeaten start to the Isthmian Premier Division as the expense of Andy Drury’s side who failed push on from a strong first half performance at the Alcaline Stadium.

With both sides looking to bounce back form exiting the FA Cup a week previously, Invicta welcomed back midfielders Dean Rance & Amadou Kassaraté to the starting XI with Eze Ebuzoeme taking their place in the stands.

Ibrahim Jalloh was the first to show any signs of attacking intent early on with a shot over the bar from the edge of the box but it was Invicta who would go on to dominate the first half. Ian Gayle was booked as he conceded a free kick in the 12th minute, Invicta created their first chance on the break with Evans Kouassi and Amadou Kassaraté winning the cleared ball back on the halfway line, the former breaking quickly to fire an effort against the post.

A period of Invicta chances ensued, Jamie Mascoll allowed to carry the ball a long way without challenge a minute later before firing narrowly over from distance. Ian Gayle had his own effort a minute after that, forcing a simple save that the keeper parried but collected before Dan Smith could nip in to take advantage. Invicta weren’t letting up with Mascoll having another go as he cut in from the left and shot with his weaker foot but failed to hit the target.

The visitors found their own feet again to create an opening for Tyrell Miller-Rodney midway through the half, coming onto the ball to strike it first time from distance he fizzed it inches over Jonny Henly’s crossbar.

Ian Gayle went surging forward again in the 26th minute, linking with Smith and Kassaraté to set up a chance to shoot for Matt Smith but he struck the bouncing ball wide. The resulting goal kick lead to some head tennis in the Invicta half before Smith brought the ball down and raced forward, feeding Kassaraté who fired over from a tight angle.

Matt Young saw an effort from distance blocked in the 32nd minute but it wasn’t until the end of the half that Invicta really threatened the Billericay goal again. A Kouassi cross from the left was headed behind for a corner that caused chaos in the penalty area, Smith having an effort cleared off the line before a Tom Derry effort took a deflection that looped it over the crossbar by inches. A second corner found Smith and dropped to Peter Ojemen who hooked an effort just over the crossbar with his weaker foot as the visitors clean sheet somehow survived into the halftime interval.

The tide of the match turned shortly after halftime as the visitors found a breakthrough with the first real chance. Ashley Nzala, who scored 3 times in 2 visits to the Alcaline Stadium for Chatham last season, was the scourge of Invicta once more, first racing onto a ball over the top which he tried to lift over Henly who tipped it away. The clearance went wide but was recovered by the visitors who delivered a cross to the back post for Nzala to head home from close range.

Invicta would never find the level of the first half, but the game remained even with little action in either penalty area until Billericay struck with their second 20 minutes later. Nzala beat Mascoll to a ball inside the Invicta half, his first touch letting him down before his hand helpfully knocked the ball back into his path unnoticed by the officials. Carrying the ball into the Invicta box he laid the ball off before it made his way back to him to smash home from a tight angle.

As Invicta searched for a way back into the match, Mascoll fired over from distance again with little more than 15 minutes remaining, a break in play followed as a Billericay player received treatment. Then, in a moment now seen by millions on social media, Tom Derry was shown a red card. We will let the video do the talking.

Tom didn’t even touch him 🤷🏻‍♂️ @talkSPORT @tSHandJ @SkyFootball @sportbible @tom_derry https://t.co/pxadT41n1K pic.twitter.com/hMFQ8d9SCA

— Folkestone Invicta (@FIFC) September 9, 2024

With Invicta now down to 10 men, the task of getting back into the match was even more daunting, but with little more than 5 minutes remaining Mascoll fired just wide from the edge of the box.

Chasing the game in the final minutes, Invicta were caught on the ball by Ibrahim Jalloh who raced away on the left and fired an effort into the far corner to kill the game off with just seconds remaining.

Jamie Mascoll was selected as Man of the Match by our Matchday sponsors Folkestone Invicta Supporters Club.

Invicta now have a weekend off with our trip to Horsham, originally scheduled for Saturday 14th September, postponed until next month. Next up we welcome Hendon to the Alcaline Stadium on Saturday 21st September.