Folkestone Invicta vs Cray Wanderers – Isthmian Premier, Tues 15th February, 7.45pm – Match Preview & Directions

Cray Wanderers conclude a busy run of away Tuesday matches on 15^th February as the Wands head to Folkestone Invicta in a game with great meaning at both ends of the Isthmian Premier League table. Kick off 7.45pm.

Cray Wanderers come into the game on a three game unbeaten run which has taken them out of the bottom three on goal difference against a high quality Folkestone side who lie 6^th just a point outside the playoffs.  On Saturday Cray had to show a lot of resolve and determination to draw at Wingate & Finchley and after Chris Dickson put Cray in front in the 2^nd minute had to play 80 minutes with Anthony Cook in goal after Bailey Vose was injured.  After going 2-1 down Cray fought back to level on the hour through a Nazir Bakrin header.   In the end a point was the least Grant Basey’s side deserved for their afternoon‘s efforts with the likes of Cameron Brodie, Jacob Munting, Jamie Yila and Kyel Reid and Dickson having fine games and considering the games events and Sam Wood missing the game with a groin injury.

With twelve games of the season to go at this point in time this is the final scheduled midweek game after a hectic period for Cray with Saturday-Tuesday/Wednesday matches in plentiful supply since Cray and Folkestone Invicta met at Hayes Lane on 24^th November when the sides drew 2-2.

Neil Cugley’s side have been one of the front runners all season and have had an excellent campaign in league and cups. Folkestone though are three league games without a win after a 4-1 defeat at fellow promotion candidates Hornchurch on Saturday. Joint top scorer David Smith levelled for Folkestone early in the second half before Hornchurch won the game.

This will be a tough ask for Cray as Folkestone are unbeaten in the league at Cheriton Road all season with only Eastleigh in an FA Cup replay coming away with a win and that was after extra-time. They were close to losing that record last Tuesday but a last gasp equaliser against Bowers & Pitsea earned a 2-2 draw.

At home Folkestone have beaten Worthing (3-1), Horsham (2-1), Brightlingsea Regent (5-1), Kingstonian (5-1), Haringey Borough (5-0), Merstham (6-1) and Leatherhead (3-0). Invicta drew with Enfield Town (0-0), Potters Bar Town (3-3), Hornchurch (0-0), Bishop’s Stortford (0-0), Carshalton Athletic (1-1) and Bowers & Pitsea (2-2)   Away from home wins were picked up at Corinthian Casuals (1-0), Merstham (2-0), Bognor Regis Town (4-2), Wingate & Finchley (4-1), Enfield Town (3-2) and Potters Bar Town (7-0). In the FA Cup Invicta beat Corinthian, Ashford Town (Middx) and Gloucester before losing to Eastleigh following a replay in the 4QR. There was also a run to the 4^th Round of the FA Trophy beating Hendon, Faversham, Hartley Wintney and Uxbridge before losing at National League Wrexham last month. They are also through to the 4^th Round of the Isthmian League Cup after beating Cheshunt and meet Cray Valley PM next Tuesday.

Meetings between the sides at Folkestone have been few in recent years but Cray did win impressively 3-1 at Folkestone last time they played in September 2020 with goals from Joe Taylor, Charlie Allen and Rhys Murrell-Williamson.  In the 24^th November meeting at Hayes Lane, Smith gave Folkestone an early lead but goals from Anthony Cook and Jai Reason put Cray in front. However, Folkestone levelled in the last minute through Callum Davies but Cray were full value for a point that night.

This should be an exciting game at the excellent facilities at Folkestone and always special under the lights. As both teams look for points for differing reasons this could be a key game of the evening.

Rhys Murrell-Williamson takes on the Folkestone defence during last season’s encounter. Pic. Jon Hilliger – www.hilligerpix.com 

DIRECTIONS TO FOLKESTONE INVICTA FC

Address:

The BuildKent Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU

Adult: — £11.00
Concessions/Students: – £8.00

Juniors: 5-18 y/o – £ 3.00

U5’s with paying adult – Free

Card or cash payments will be accepted, although if possible, and if you are paying by cash please have the right money available. Card Payments can only be made at the Bar Invicta end.

Programme:  £2.00

BY ROAD

From the Cray’s – From the A20/Sidcup-by-Pass follow for 3.9 miles and then keep right to join the M20 and follow for 50 miles following signs for Dover/Channel Tunnell/Maidstone.  At Junction 13 take the A20 exit to Folkestone. Continue to drive along the A2034 then turn left at the 2nd set of Traffic lights and you will be able to see the stadium about 100 metres on the left (Just past the Harvey Grammer school.

Considering the game is a midweek match you might want to give a bit more time for your journey factoring in traffic and could take between 1 hr 5 mins/1 hr 40 for the 57.5 miles trip.

By train:

The nearest stations are: Folkestone West and Folkestone Central. Folkestone West is marginally nearer. From the station, walk east on Station Road towards and then on to Beachborough Road/B2064.  Then turn right onto Cheriton Road and after 0.2 miles turn left for the ground.

From Folkestone Central – Walk east towards and onto Folkestone Station Road, then turn left onto Cheriton Road/A259, then at the roundabout take the 4^th exit onto Cheriton Road/A2034 for 0.5 miles and then turn right for the ground.

For train travel you can go from Orpington but no direct trains to either West or Central station.  Your journey will require a change at either Sevenoaks or Tonbridge.  From Bromley South you can also change at Ashford International but overall quite a longish journey by train midweek. It wouldn’t be so bad on a Saturday. Please check trains at www.nationalrail.co.uk for your best options.

The last train back to Bromley South after the game leaves Folkestone West at 22.13 or Central at 22:11 requiring a change at Ashford International or Tonbridge.  Best to check national rail enquiries website prior to travel.

By bus:

Buses to Cheriton run every eight minutes from the town centre (bus station) on weekdays.

Service Nos. 71, 72, 73 – Get off just past Morrisons Supermarket.

Nearest pub:  Perhaps best on a midweek match to make full use of Bar Invicta.

This is situated on the main Cheriton Road directly in front of the stadium.  There is ample parking in front of the Bar and has been fully refurbished. There is a disabled entrance at the front and has disabled toilet facilities. There are two bars with a function room.

If you arrive at Folkestone early enough near Folkestone West station are the Nailbox pub on Coolinge Lane or the Royal Cheriton (339 Cheriton Road). This is going in the other direction to the ground. From Folkestone Central you will find The Park Inn on Radnor Park Road or the Firkin Alehouse on Cheriton Place.

For Fish and Chips there is the Corner Plaice (317 Cheriton Road, close to the Royal Cheriton) and the Golden Gate (374 Cheriton Road). From Central Station there is the Central Fish Bar (98 Cheriton Road).  For Indian food best try the Red Chilli on Bouverie Road while on Cheriton Road is the Peking House Chinese Restaurant.

Folkestone is a port town on the edge of the South Downs and a prominent part of the English defences against French invaders.  A harbour was introduced during the 19^th century and also good railway links to London and Kent gave good business to the area and became a popular holiday destination.  If you’ve time, the cliffs are well worth a visit and has at the top a Martello Tower which was built in 1806 as a look out should Napoleon invade and has been a coast guard lookout and a Second World War Naval mine control post.  The Brockhill Country Park in Saltwood between Folkestone and Hythe is part of a Kentish area of natural beauty.  There is also the oldest Battle of Britain Museum in the UK in nearby Hawkinge and the Battle of Britain Memorial on the White Cliffs is testament to the battering Kent took over the skies during the War.  Overlooking the Channel Tunnel entrance is the carving of the Folkestone White Horse which can be a spectacular sight. As this game is played the day after Valentine’s Day you never know you may want to make a day-night with your loved one.