Folkestone Invicta vs. Cray Wanderers – Isthmian Premier, Saturday 9th November, 3 pm – Match Preview
Cray Wanderers continue a run of away games on Saturday with a visit to Folkestone Invicta in a match that pits 19th vs 13th in the Isthmian Premier league table but separated by just three points. Kick off at the Alcaline Stadium, 3 pm.
The Wands four game unbeaten run came to an end on Tuesday night in a hard fought derby at Cray Valley PM which saw an incredible start with Lateef Adaja’s second goal of the season after just 19 seconds. Despite defending well for over an hour and over four and a half games without conceding a league goal, two goals in four minutes turned the game in Cray Valley’s favour and in the end were beaten 2-1.
The defeat moved Cray Wanderers back into the bottom four into 19th place onto 12 points. With league visits to Potters Bar and Canvey Island to follow in the next two weekends the Wands will need to continue to be at their most resolute but there have been signs in the last month that despite the league position performances have been good without always the end product to show for it. Two new forward players made their debuts as substitutes on Tuesday night, Josh Williams and Nathan Jeche in a bid to improve the goals output but Charlie Edwards has been in good form with three goals in the last three league games.
Folkestone Invicta come into the game in 13th place on 15 points and after two league defeats but both in close games at Carshalton Athletic (1-2) last Saturday and on Tuesday were beaten in a local derby at home to Dover Athletic (0-1) and this will be the second of five successive home matches..
At home, Folkestone have beaten Hendon (2-0) and drawn with Carshalton Athletic (1-1) and Hashtag United (1-1) and were beaten by Cray Valley PM (0-1), Billericay Town (0-3) and Dover Athletic (0-1). Away from home Invicta won at Dover Athletic (3-2), Hastings United (2-1) and Canvey Island (1-0), drew at Wingate & Finchley and lost at Chichester City and Carshalton Athletic. Folkestone have advanced in the FA Trophy with wins at home to Ascot United (8-1) and at Barton Rovers (3-0) and are at home to Hanwell Town in the 2nd Round next Saturday. In the FA Cup, Folkestone were beaten in the 1st QR at Ramsgate and like Cray were beaten on penalties by Phoenix Sports in the Kent Senior Cup in the 1st Round. Daniel Smith is the leading scorer with 10 goals
Andy Drury’s side and Cray Wanderers were closely matched last season in the league with Folkestone finishing 16th and Cray 17th both with 50 points. When the two teams last met at the Alcaline Stadium on 6th February, the match finished in a dramatic 2-2 draw after Folkestone led 2-0 with goals from David Smith and Seidou Sanogo but Cray fought back late with goals from Ellis Brown and Anthony Cook. The corresponding game at Hayes Lane on 24th March was much quieter with Folkestone winning 1-0 with David Smith scoring the winner. Overall though the teams have met many times including in the Isthmian League years but not too many recent matches on a Saturday with the last four league visits taking place on Tuesday nights.
A trip to Folkestone is always one of the great away days of the season and to a ground steeped in tradition and matches there are always competitive and incident packed.
DIRECTIONS TO FOLKESTONE INVICTA & ADMISSION
Address:
Alcaline Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU
Adult: — £12.00
Concessions/Students: – £9.00
Young Adult – 13-17 – £6.00
U5’s with paying adult – Free
https://tickets.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk/
Card or cash payments will be accepted, although if possible, and if you are paying by cash please have the right money available.
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 Tunnel/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.
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 4th exit onto Cheriton Road/A2034 for 0.5 miles and then turn right for the ground.
For train travel on Saturday’s you can go from Orpington but no direct trains to either West or Central station. Your journey will require a change at either Sevenoaks at 22 mins past the hour. From St Mary Cray there are trains at 01 and 18 but also not direct trains and requires a change at Ashford International or Sevenoaks but overall quite a longish journey of over one hour 40 minutes. Please check trains at www.nationalrail.co.uk for your best options.
Returns are at 01 and 41 but again check national rail enquiries for options for travel.
A bit round the houses but maybe the quickest way there or home will be via Ebbsfleet International with direct trains at 11.25, 11.59, 12.23 and take 35 minutes to get there. There are trains back at 01 past the hour direct to take you back to Ebbsfleet International.
By bus:
Buses to Cheriton run every eight minutes from the town centre (bus station).
Service Nos. 71, 72, 73 – Get off just past Morrisons Supermarket.
Nearest pub: The Bar Invicta at Folkestone is very good and welcoming for those that want to take it a bit easy. 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 (a renovated former Estate Agents, now a micropub) on Cheriton Place. For Wetherspoon’s fans there is the Samuel Peto in Rendevouz Street which is about a five minute drive from Cheriton Road.
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).
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 19th 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 and also the beach front has been redeveloped. 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.
