Two teams experiencing very different fortunes met when Folkestone Invicta defeated Welling United in an Isthmian League Premier Division Kent derby.

Whilst the visitors from the coast are many people’s favourites to win the title, the Wings are struggling at the other end of the table. Therefore, there was no great surprise when Folkestone took home all three points.

However, the home team were the better side in the opening exchanges. Jonah Walker shot over the bar before John Ufuah beat his man down the left hand side and crossed low to the far post where Josh Redfearn looked certain to score but a defender put himself in the line of fire and blocked it around the post.

Then, the complexion of the game changed in the seventeenth minute when Folkestone won their first corner. Mikey Berry delivered deep and an unmarked Dean Rance headed home.

Jake Hutchinson broke away for Folkestone before shooting beyond the far post before Walker had another attempt with a low drive that took a nick off a defender and went out for another corner. Hutchinson beat the offside trap and shot low towards the near post where Damian Niemczycki claimed, before Welling’s Eze Ebuzoeme had a shot blocked wide. 

Former Wing Ike Orji sent in a low cross in that picked out Joe Pigott and his shot was blocked by Luke Allen. Pigott’s follow up flew wide but Allen’s participation ended when making the challenge and he had to be replaced by Jack Paxman. That was a further blow to Welling after Ruben Shakpoke had earlier been substituted after sustaining an injury.

As the first half came to a close, Folkestone missed two great opportunities to increase their lead. First Rance volleyed Joel Odeniran’s cross over from point blank range then Pigott went on a long run before his diagonal pass picked out Hutchinson unmarked, and he fired wide of the near post when he should probably have done better.

After the break Redfearn got a touch on an Ebuzoeme corner and it looped just over before Pigott sent Orji away. His low cross was knocked out to Rance and his shot was cleared off the line. Ted Collins, Folkestone’s goalkeeper, was finally called into action when saving from Leo Young, unaware that the flag was up for offside, before Hutchinson set up Montel McKenzie whose shot was saved by Niemczycki.

Harry Clout did well to work it out to Ufuah and he cut in only to shoot high into Danson Park before Folkestone doubled their lead with nineteen minutes remaining. Substitute Josh Strouts surged down the right and crossed deep where Berry headed home despite it not seeming possible from such a tight angle.

Another Welling shot was deflected wide with Walker again being the unlucky player before Niemczycki made a further outstanding save to thwart Ronnie Dolan after Hutchinson had broken away from a Welling corner.

Nine minutes remained when the visitors added their third to finish the contest. Another corner caused chaos in the Welling penalty area and it fell to Pigott who made no mistake from ten yards.

Welling United: Niemczycki; Young, Majoyegbe, Chima (Adjetey-Brew 82), Walker; Thomas; Redfearn (Akinwande 82), Allen (Paxman 44), Ebuzoeme, Ufuah; Shakpoke (Clout 32).

Sub not used: Simmons.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: None

Folkestone Invicta: Collins; Smith, Lokko, Odeniran; Orji, Rance (Jebb 84), Lovatt, McKenzie (Strouts 65); Berry (Dolan 78); Hutchinson, Pigott.

Subs not used: Ogunseri, Parkinson.

Goalscorers: Rance (17), Berry (71), Pigott (81)

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Steven Goldup

Assistants: Matthew Williams and Marian Stoichitoiu

Attendance: 329

Pictures supplied by Chris Zimmerman