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Sport

Folkestone Invicta 1 Gloucester City 0 FA Cup match report: Striker Ade Yusuff's goal books Folkestone place in FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round

By: Thomas Reeves treeves@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 17:01, 02 October 2021

Updated: 15:06, 03 October 2021

Folkestone caused an FA Cup upset against 10-man Gloucester City as Ade Yusuff scored the only goal.

Yusuff struck for the high-flying Isthmian Premier outfit midway through the first period against their National League North opponents in the third qualifying round tie, three minutes after away defender Jordan Thompson had been sent off.

Folkestone Invicta's Ade Yusuff lets fly. Picture: Randolph File
Yusuff's effort finds the back of the Gloucester City net. Picture: Randolph File

There was a late scare as Gloucester City substitute Benni Smales-Braithwaite hit the bar with a free-kick in stoppage-time but Folkestone survived to progress.

There was a slow start to the encounter as both teams tried to adjust to the wet, windy and, quite frankly, wild conditions at the Fullicks Stadium in front of the 669 fans who had braved the elements.

The first opportunity of the game came on 10 minutes, striker Yusuff firing wide from the edge of the penalty area for Folkestone as they edged the early exchanges.

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A three-minute period then swung the match the way of Neil Cugley’s side.

A mix-up at the back for the visitors allowed Yusuff to break clean through on goal with 19 minutes played. He was hauled to the ground just outside the penalty box by Gloucester City’s Thompson, leaving referee Tom Danaher with no option but to give the away defender his marching orders.

Folkestone's players celebrate Yusuff's goal - the only goal of the game - with their fans as they beat National League North Gloucester City 1-0. Picture: Randolph File

And just three minutes later, the hosts made their man advantage count.

A corner from Alfie Paxman put Gloucester keeper Jake Cole under real pressure and Yusuff smashed home his fifth of the season from close range after a melee inside the six-yard box.

Gloucester City’s first real opportunity of the half came in the 35th minute. Captain Kevin Dawson did well on the right and dug a cross out which went just over the head of new signing Lucas Tomlinson who was waiting at the far post.

Seven minutes later, Jordan Young tried his luck for the visitors with a shot which was straight at new Folkestone keeper Alexis Andre Jr.

Shortly before half-time, the dangerous Young again went close when he guided his header from a Dawson cross wide of the post.

Folkestone's Matt Newman challenges Gloucester City man Jordan Young. Picture: Randolph File

But Invicta, led by skipper Callum Davies, looked well-organised at the back as they were ahead at the break.

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A half-time Gloucester City change saw Bernard Mensah replace four-goal leading scorer Danny King.

The substitute threatened on 57 minutes, although Andre was equal to the strike during a very quiet start to the second period, despite David Smith heading wide at the back post.

Defender Ryan Johnson had a chance to double Folkestone’s advantage 17 minutes from time, only for his snap-shot to go narrowly wide after a Ronnie Dolan free-kick had been half-cleared following Matt Newman's initial header.

In truth, the visitors rarely threatened in the second period in interim boss Lee Mansell's first match in charge - after Mansell had replaced Paul Groves who was sacked last weekend - until right at the death.

Substitute Smales-Braithwaite, however, did nearly save Gloucester City’s blushes seconds from the end. But his free-kick crashed against the bar with Andre well beaten.

Home manager Cugley made two changes from the side which let a three-goal lead slip in the league 3-3 draw against Potters Bar last weekend.

Injured keeper Tim Roberts was replaced between the sticks by former Bristol Rovers man Andre Jr who came in for his debut.

The other change saw Newman return and replace right-back Josh Vincent.

For the visitors, Tomlinson, one of two loan signings made by Mansell, started.

The other loan signing, Oxford United’s Leon Chambers-Parillon, was an unused substitute.

Folkestone: Andre, Draycott, Wright, Newman, Davies, Johnson, Heard, Dolan, Smith, Yusuff, Paxman. Subs not used: Freeman, Sterling, O’Mara, Everitt, Collins, Borrello.

Gloucester City: Cole, Leadbitter, Galvin, Harrison, Thompson, Robert, Sheaf (Smales-Brainthwaite 76), Dawson, Tomlinson, Young (Jordan 59), King (Mensah 46). Subs not used: Armstrong, McGlip, O’Sullivan, Chambers-Parrillon.

Attendance: 669.

Referee: Tom Danaher.

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