MATCH REPORT | Folkestone Invicta 2-0 Hemel Town

Written by Ollie Heathcote

Photo: NicolaCCreative

Goals on either side of half time from Joe Pigott and Donell Thomas saw Hemel Hempstead Town fall to a 2-0 defeat away to Folkestone Invicta on Bank Holiday Monday. 

Looking to bounce back from a 1-3 defeat against Weston-super-Mare just two days before, the Tudors struggled to test Ted Collins in goal as they fell to 16th in the league table.

The first chance of the game fell to Lee Bircham’s side with less than a minute into the game as Jesse Effa burst into the box before his cut back to Jake Tabor. However, the right winger could only divert the ball just past the near post.

Whilst the opening stages remained competitive, it was the hosts who had a fantastic opportunity to open the scoring as a free kick was headed back across goal to Kevin Lokko, who saw his low header excellently saved by Michael Johnson.

The Tudors would then have a good spell of pressure, with the pace of Effa looking to provide a major threat to the Invicta backline. His cross was headed away only as far as George Williams, who dragged his left-footed shot wide.

However, it was the hosts who took the lead 10 minutes before half time after a turnover saw Dan Quick drive down the right wing before delivering into the path of former AFC Wimbledon striker Pigott, who tapped in from a yard out.

In added time, the Tudors came close to equalising as Devante Stanley was able to find Remaye Campbell with a low cross, which saw the Hemel number nine draw a smart save from Collins down to his left.

Half Time Score: 1-0

After the interval, it was the hosts who were rewarded for their early second half pressure as Stanley made an outstanding intervention to deny Thomas, who looked to have doubled the lead before a cross found the head of the Invicta striker to power home a second for Folkestone.

Photo: NicolaCCreative

This goal shifted momentum with the hosts, who were able to control the tempo of the second half as a free kick from substitute Mauro Vilhete sailed comfortably over the crossbar.

Chances were at a minimum towards the closing stages of the game, as Campbell’s effort could only be directed straight into the gloves of the Folkestone goalkeeper heading into injury time as the hosts held onto their clean sheet.

Lee Bircham’s side will look to turn things round with a game against Farnham Town next Saturday at the Focus Community Arena.

Full Time Score: 2-0

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