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Folkestone Invicta 1 Hastings United 0 match report

Folkestone completed the league double over Ryman League Division 1 South title rivals Hastings on a dramatic night at the Fullicks Stadium.

Ronnie Dolan punished a goalkeeping error in the third minute and that goal proved to be the winner - but it certainly wasn't the only talking point.

Hastings had a first-half penalty saved by Tim Roberts and the home side had to play the final quarter of the match with 10 men after captain Liam Friend was shown a straight red card.

Ronnie Dolan scored Folkestone's winner against Hastings Picture: Wayne McCabe
Ronnie Dolan scored Folkestone's winner against Hastings Picture: Wayne McCabe

The game burst into life from the first whistle, with a big chance at either end.

Hastings missed theirs, Max Hollobone blazing over from no more than 12 yards out after Jack Harris' low cross from the left had caused uncertainty in the home defence.

But when Folkestone were gifted an opportunity out of nothing at the other end, they gobbled it up. Hastings keeper Josh Pelling made a complete hash of his clearance, scuffing the ball straight to Dolan, who rifled the ball high into the unguarded net.

Invicta were passing the ball crisply although it was Hastings who carried the greater goal threat in the moments after conceding.

Sean Ray got up well to meet a Sam Adams corner but his header was well blocked, before Hollobone tried his luck twice only to miss the target on both occasions.

The men in claret and blue shirts continued to threaten, with full-back Sam Crabb bursting down the right flank and into the box. His low cross reached former Margate and Maidstone striker Zac Attwood, who turned well but saw his shot charged down.

Attwood returned the ball into the danger zone but Adams couldn't direct his centre goalwards.

Hastings were awarded a penalty late in the first half when Adams caught Nat Blanks off balance and was tripped by the Invicta left-back.

Adams took the spot-kick himself but Roberts guessed correctly, diving to his left and keeping the ball out.

Folkestone, boosted by that let-off, almost doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time. Pelling got in the way of a powerful Ashley Miller strike and Ian Draycott was then left with his head in his hands after sending a header narrowly wide with the goal gaping.

Both sides had chances at the start of the second period, with Roberts grabbing a Harris shot which looped up off Frankie Chappell's boot, before getting down to clutch Adams' curling free-kick from 25 yards out.

Between those two incidents, on-loan Maidstone midfielder James Rogers unleashed a long-range strike for Invicta, drawing a good diving save from Pelling.

Draycott then had the ball in the net for Folkestone, craning his neck to convert the rebound after Pelling had saved from Miller - only to see the flag raised for offside.

Then, midway through the half, came drama. Hastings skipper Jack Walder caught Phil Starkey late with a high tackle and referee Phil Rowley pulled out his red card - but it was Friend who made the long walk down the tunnel for his retaliation to the challenge.

Walder was cautioned - and he was very lucky to stay on the pitch.

It was a rearguard action for Folkestone after that, with Miller taken off and Draycott operating as a lone striker on the counter-attack as Hastings pushed for the equaliser.

But to their immense credit, the reshuffled home defence - with Callum Wraight sent on to play alongside Chappell - stood firm and protected Roberts in the face of serious pressure at the end.

Folkestone: Roberts, Vincent, Blanks, Friend, Chappell, Newman, Starkey, Dolan (Pilbeam 86mins), Draycott, Miller (Wraight 69mins), Rogers (Stanford 88mins). Subs not used: Rook, Wright.

Hastings: Pelling, Crabb, Hall, Rowe, Ray, Walder, Adams, Vickers (Temba 86mins), Attwood, Harris, Hollobone (Okoh 71mins). Subs not used: Smith, Richardson-Brown, Rose.

Attendance: 343.

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