Report: Folkestone Invicta
There will be no cup heroics from Maidstone United this term as they fell at the first hurdle of this season’s Emirates FA Cup, beaten by local neighbours Folkestone Invicta at Chatham Town’s Bauvill Stadium.
In what’s been a tough few weeks for George Elokobi and his players, they should have been seeing this as a great opportunity to get smiles back on the faces of the Stones supporters but ultimately, fell short as they were dispatched by a well organised Invicta side, managed by former Stones boss Jay Saunders.
It was the hosts that had the better of the early exchanges but were finding clear cut chances hard to come by as the Stones defence looked to find a shape that was effective after being exploited on numerous occasions in recent games.
Riley Court, who was back in the side whipped an out-swinging corner which found the head of Sam Oguntayo who had come in for Leo Hamblin at left back, but couldn’t keep it down. Folkestone were looking to use set pieces to their advantage with their large physical presence inside the box. It nearly paid off when Liam Smith struck a well hit half volley just inside the box but couldn’t direct it on target as it sailed for a goal kick.
Court, who was one of the few bright sparks on the night showed positivity going down the left hand side before floating a cross to the back post, whilst off balance. It made it to Deon Moore who nodded across goal for Patrick Casey but blazed the effort over from close range. Seconds later, the hosts were awarded a free kick from 30 yards out which former Stone, Joe Pigott stood over. He connected with the ball well as it dipped over the wall forcing Nathan Harness into a full stretch but caught the ball comfortably.
Folkestone always looked like they had a moment of quality in them and they were rewarded 8 minutes before the break when Ade Yusuff played the ball to Donell Thomas who spun his man with a 360 turn before running through and slotting the ball underneath Harness to break the deadlock.
A reaction was needed in the second half but the Stones were punished again with just over 60 seconds played. Pigott played the ball for Yusuff who took a couple of neat touches before firing low, into the bottom left hand corner to double Folkestone’s lead.
The Stones couldn’t afford to lie down and very nearly pulled one back when a long throw reached George Fowler who flicked it on and caused issues for keeper Ted Collins. He dropped the ball under pressure and the home side somehow managed to clear it off the line with a number of players lurking around the 6 yard box.
Substitute John Gilbert went looking to provide some quality for the Stones off the bench, as he managed to pull the ball back from around the corner flag towards TJ Bramble whose dipping shot just wouldn’t come down in time.
Folkestone were able to see the closing stages out relatively comfortably as Maidstone fall to a third straight defeat in all competitions and without a goal in that time.
Folkestone Invicta: Donell Thomas 37’, Ade Yusuff 47’
Maidstone United:
Folkestone Invicta: 1. Ted Collins, 2. Ben Mason, 3. Montel McKenzie, 4. Liam Smith, 5. Joel-Michael Odeniran, 6. Kevin Lokko (C), 7. Mikey Berry (20. Bivesh Gurung 64 mins), 8. Dean Rance, 10. Ade Yusuff (16. Josh Strouts 81 mins), 11. Donell Thomas (15. Ronnie Dolan 83 mins), 14. Joe Pigott (9. Jake Hutchinson 90+2 mins). Subs not used: 13. Isaac Ogunseri, 17. Jack Jebb, 19. Dillon Simmons.
Maidstone United: 1. Nathan Harness, 2. David Sesay (7. Jephte Tanga 74 mins), 5. George Fowler, 6. TJ Bramble, 8. Sam Corne (C), 9. Deon Moore, 15. David Agbontohoma, 17. Riley Court (19. Ruben Carvalho 74 mins), 18. Sam Oguntayo (3. Leo Hamblin 81 mins), 20. Patrick Casey (12. Dajon Golding 59 mins), 22. Teo Kurtaran (10. John Gilbert 59 mins) Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden, 21. Malachi Mbogba.