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Folkestone Invicta 2 Haringey Borough 1 match report: Ian Draycott's 150th club goal wins it after Ian Gayle levels for Invicta in Isthmian Premier encounter

Ian Draycott’s 150th club goal on Saturday guided in-form Folkestone to an Isthmian Premier win over Haringey.

Borough scored first through striker Tage Kennedy but, soon after, centre-back Ian Gayle levelled.

Ian Draycott celebrates his 150th club goal in Folkestone's 2-1 Isthmian Premier win over Haringey. Picture: Randolph File
Ian Draycott celebrates his 150th club goal in Folkestone's 2-1 Isthmian Premier win over Haringey. Picture: Randolph File

And after the restart, legendary forward-turned-midfielder Draycott netted the all-important third goal, extending Invicta’s unbeaten league run to six games as they won 2-1, and the result also moved them closer to the play-off places.

The visitors began brightly, but Folkestone should have taken the lead in the sixth minute at Cheriton Road in front of a bumper crowd.

Frontman Ibrahim Olutade was denied by a great save from visiting goalkeeper Luke Mewitt. The chance came after Ira Jackson’s right-wing cross, with Zahui “Helge” Orome and Christos Djamas having collided for Borough in midfield.

Olutade netted 11 minutes later, only to be denied by the linesman’s flag.

The clear-cut chances certainly were coming the home team’s way at this stage as the 19th minute saw top scorer Ade Yusuff lift a volley over from yards out after another Jackson right-wing delivery.

Left-back Nathan Green in the thick of it. Picture: Randolph File
Left-back Nathan Green in the thick of it. Picture: Randolph File

Cypriot midfielder Georgios Aresti dragged inches wide of Pat Ohman’s left-hand post at the other end.

But Haringey did break the deadlock in the 33rd minute as Bobson Bawling dragged back from the right flank to Kennedy who found the target.

Just two minutes later, however, Invicta equalised. Matt Newman connected with a corner by midfielder Ronnie Dolan and Gayle headed home from close range for his fifth goal of the season.

Yusuff then sent an ambitious half-volley just over on 44 minutes.

After a slow start to the second period, the hosts nearly played themselves into trouble. Ohman just about controlled a heavy Gayle back-pass, which fell nicely to Aresti, whose effort was well saved by the keeper. It proved Aresti’s final action of the game as he was substituted, seconds later.

Ian Gayle heads home. Picture: Randolph File
Ian Gayle heads home. Picture: Randolph File

But Invicta, led by joint-head coaches Roland Edge and Micheal Everitt, went ahead in the 56th minute through an historic goal by all-time record scorer Draycott. He controlled Dolan’s cross and found space in the penalty area to poke into the net.

The goal - his fourth this campaign - capped a fine workmanlike performance from an attacking midfield role.

Away protests for a penalty were turned down by referee Joe McKay midway through the half after Michael O'Donoghue went down under a challenge by Gayle. The ball was only half-cleared from the corner before Orome, formerly of Herne Bay and Faversham, sprung in behind but wasted the chance.

With 17 minutes to play, Borough captain Rakim Richards was booked for a trip on Olutade.

The away side were pushing hard for a leveller, though, and the 85th minute saw Orome head straight at Ohman.

A minute later at the other end, substitute Kadell Daniel found himself through, although he was thwarted by a good block by Mewitt.

Stoppage time presented Kennedy with an opportunity. He turned inside his man, only to fire straight at Ohman before the home keeper got down low to deny substitute Jorge Djessi-Sambu who had turned well inside the box.

The result leaves Folkestone ninth, three points off fifth-placed Canvey Island.

There was no James Rogers for the hosts, the midfielder starting a two-match ban, having accrued 10 cautions this season.

Fellow Invicta midfielder Scott Heard also remained sidelined.

The 902-strong crowd was bolstered by Havant & Waterlooville fans who took a detour after their planned National League South match at Dover was subject to a late postponement.

Folkestone Invicta: Ohman, Vincent, Green, Gayle, Davies, Newman, Draycott, Ronnie Dolan, Olutade, Yusuff, Jackson (Daniel 81mins). Subs not used: Robbie Dolan, Atherton, Everitt, Coleman.

Haringey Borough: Mewitt, Georgiou, O’Donoghue, Richards, Mitchell, Djamas (Djassi-Sambu 78mins), Orome, Bawling, Aresti (Owusu 54mins), Kennedy, Desa (Dupray 86mins). Subs not used: Ismail, Ovenden.

Referee: Joe McKay.

Attendance: 902.

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