Folkestone Invicta 1 HORSHAM 2
The Buzzlines Stadium, Folkestone
Attendance: 345
Saturday 27th September 2008
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
(sponsored by Eon)
Referee: Mr West

FOLKESTONE INVICTA

HORSHAM

1.Charlie Mitten
2.Lee Gledhill
3.Mark Green (Walker,70)
4.Liam Friend
5.Matt Bourne
6.Michael Everitt
7.Scott Lindsay (Wilkins,70)
8.James Everitt
9.James Dryden
10.Nick Humphrey
11.Jimmy Jackson
Subs:
12.Craig Wilkins
14.Byron Walker
15.Billy Swallow
16.Kieron Byrne
17.Alex Conyers

Goalscorers:
Wilkins (87)

1.Paul Seuke
2.Jack Page
3.Russell Eldridge
4.Andy Howard
5.Billy Franks
6.Mark Knee
7.Jacob Mingle
8.Lee Carey
9.Evan Archibald
10.Lee Farrell (Graham,83)
11.Alex Haddow
Subs:
12.Ian Payne
14.Shane Graham
15.Michael Dale
16.Gavin Geddes
17.Rob Frankland
 
Goalscorers:
Howard (36)
Archibald (72)

Reporter: Mark Wells
Photographs: John Lines
Video: Ben Tennant

Horsham put their recent poor form behind them to progress to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the 6th time in 9 seasons thanks to an excellent 2-1 win at a sun drenched Buzzlines Stadium.

Beaten five times in their last seven games, and without a goal in 251 minutes, the Hornets might well have been seen by some as the underdogs in this tie against an opponent who had lost just once all season and lay in 4th place in Ryman Division Two South. But, having got their noses in front before the interval through Andy Howard's first goal of the season, John Maggs' side went on to dominate much of the second period and deservedly extended their lead when leading scorer Evan Archibald headed home Lee Carey's cross. A Craig Wilkins goal for the hosts, three minutes from time, gave the visitors a nervy finale but they hung on to avenge last season's league defeat that, for now, keeps their faltering season alive.

Maggs made just the one change to the side beaten by Hastings United on Wednesday night with Ian Payne making way for Alex Haddow as  the side abandoned the experimental midweek 3-5-2 formation in favour of the tried and trusted 4-4-2 while, for Folkestone, club record goal scorer James Dryden was looking to end Horsham's cup hopes a second time after his 2 goals knocked the Hornets out of this competition in 2001.

Backed by a good sized, and very vocal, travelling contingent Horsham created the game's first decent chance on 11 minutes when Russell Eldridge sent in a dangerous cross but Lee Carey's header brought a comfortable save from Invicta 'keeper Charlie Mitten whose palms were stung a minute later by Lee Farrell's fiercely struck effort. At the other end, Mitten's counterpart was called in to action when Paul Seuke saved from Jimmy Jackson whose follow up shot was weak and easily claimed by the Hornets custodian. 

Jackson was denied by Seuke again, this time from long range, before the deadlock was broken on 36 minutes when Haddow picked out Andy Howard following a corner and the central defender volleyed home his first goal since February to put the visitors a goal up. Dryden wasted a good opportunity to test the 'keeper, after linking up well with James Everitt, and the Hornets survived a strong penalty appeal just before the break when Everitt's attempt to take the ball past Seuke ended with the Folkestone man going to ground only for referee West to wave away the claims.

There was one final nervy moment for Horsham before the interval when Howard bailed out his goalkeeper by hooking the ball away from the line after Seuke had spilled a corner .

H/T Folkestone Invicta 0 Horsham 1

Farrell almost gave his side the perfect start to the second half when he latched on to Carey's pass, only for Mitten to turn away his shot with his legs, but the bright opening set the tone for the rest of the afternoon as Horsham found renewed confidence and took the game to their opponents. Haddow shot over, and Jackson replied in kind for the hosts, but there was a concern for the visitors just before the hour when Billy Franks was treated for a shoulder injury but, unlike team-mates Eddie French and Sam Page, the young centre-back was able to continue.

The lively Farrell tested Mitten once more when he chested down a pass from Page, held off his marker and sent in a firm drive that the 'keeper pushed round the post one-handed but the Hornets were celebrating a second goal just five minutes later. With Folkestone still adjusting to the double substitution of Mark Green and Scott Lindsay for Byron Walker and Craig Wilkins, their failure to clear a throw-in down the Horsham right saw the ball played over the defence for Carey to volley a cross to the far post where Archibald (left) outjumped his marker to head home his sixth of the season.

Seuke nearly handed Invicta an instant riposte when Eldridge was cautioned for a foul on James Everitt and, from Jackson's resulting free-kick, the former Dulwich stopper fumbled and Everitt came within a fraction of reducing the arrears at the far post. Farrell received warm applause from the travelling faithful when he was withdrawn in favour of Shane Graham with seven minutes remaining and only Mitten prevented the substitute from making an instant impression when he stuck out a leg to divert his shot behind for a corner.

Just three minutes remained when the hosts pulled a goal back when Kieran Byrne headed on, Dryden touched the ball back and Wilkins cracked the ball low in to the corner to set up a tense finale and Folkestone came agonisingly close to producing a stunning comeback when Howard's blatant body check on Walker enabled Jackson to swing in another free-kick that Dryden nodded inches wide of Seuke's goal.

There was still four minutes of injury time remaining but, despite Mitten joining the attack, Horsham were able to hold out for an overdue afternoon of success.

NEXT MATCH: v Tonbridge Angels (a) Saturday 4th October ko 3pm