Walton Casuals 0 Folkestone Invicta 1
By David Pritchard
Despite a points penalty hanging over their heads it was business as usual for Folkestone Invicta’s players on Saturday as James Everitt’s late goal secured a hard-fought win at Walton Casuals.
An arrangement with creditors was formally agreed by Invicta’s shareholders at a meeting on Friday, which gives the club some stability off the pitch. The downside is the inevitable points penalty for briefly going into administration, which when it is confirmed, will wipe out the Seasiders’ lead at the top of the Ryman South.
Invicta boss Neil Cugley was frustrated to see the squad’s hard work eroded but pointed out it could have been much worse.
He said: “It’s a shame, we’re bitterly disappointed to have ten points taken away from us. Like all these things the wrong people get punished – the players, the fans and the coaching staff – who have done nothing incorrect. We’re the ones who get punished but that’s the way it has to be.
“It was very pleasing to win on Saturday because the players knew the situation. They are a good bunch of lads. Nothing’s changed, we’ll just target as many points as we can get before the end of the season.
“In some ways I’m pleased because we can carry on long term. The fear was starting all over again in the Kent League so I suppose we shouldn’t be too disappointed. We can start looking ahead to next season, we want to carry on what we’re building.”
Invicta’s eighth 1-0 win of the season was ground out against a struggling Casuals side which showed little attacking intent, seeking instead to stifle the visitors.
Both goalkeepers were busy in the first-half without over-extending themselves. The sum of Invicta’s efforts before the break were two shots from Simon Austin which failed to trouble Walton stopper Chico Ramos.
Folkestone’s Jack Delo made one smart save to keep the scores level at the start of the second-half, before James Everitt hit the woodwork with a shot from the edge of the box. The striker finally broke the deadlock four minutes from time, tapping home after Frankie Chappell headed Jimmy Jackson’s free-kick back across goal.
Lee Spiller also made a late substitute appearance, his first since recovering from a long-term knee injury, to add vital strength in depth to Invicta’s slender squad.
Cugley’s side visited fellow promotion hopefuls Godalming Town last night, log on to www.yourshepway.co.uk for the details. Whyteleafe visit Cheriton Road on Saturday.
POSTED: 08/02/2010 15:57:48
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