Saturday, August 6, 2011

United continued their preparations for the new season with an ultimately narrow home win at home to Division One South side Folkestone this afternoon. This was the visitors' first defeat in five pre-season outings, having won three and drawn one of their previous four matches, while the U's are now unbeaten in three matches, after starting their own campaign with a trio of defeats.

As in their previous couple of games, United looked very dangerous throughout the first half, but less impressive after the break, when numerous substitutions were made. Lloyd Anderson, previously with Whitehawk, made his first appearance in goal for the Club, and did reasonably well, although without looking totally convincing.

Invicta, who were relegated from the Premier Division last season, were disappointing in the opening period, and seldom threatened the home goal until the final quarter of the contest. Lee Carey fired the U's ahead from the penalty spot within just twelve minutes, after Ben Billings had been brought down in the area. Fred Foreman added a second only three minutes later, firing home from close range, after the visitors had failed to deal with a cross from the left.

Folkestone reduced the deficit in the sixty-ninth minute, when former Hastings striker Paul Jones shook off a challenge before finding the net. United restored their two goal advantage just two minutes later though, with substitute Dan Bolwell heading home from ten yards.

With ten minutes remaining, Invicta halved the deficit once more, when a ball over the top found Josh Vincent, who easily lobbed the stranded Anderson. The visitors then struck a post and the crossbar in quick succession, while Jack Dixon saw a long range effort pushed over the bar by keeper Jack Delo at the other end.

The U's hung on for another morale boosting win however, and finished the game with four of last season's Under 18 squad on the pitch, while one of their summer signings from Lewes, Jack Walder, continued his rehabilitation from a long term knee injury by making his first start in United colours. Whitehawk will be the opponents as the build-up to the new campaign continues at the Pilot Field on Tuesday evening. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Attendance: 160

Referee: David Spain (Westfield)