Billericay falter for the second time in five days as Invicta strengthen their play off claims

By Ian Townsend

A round up of last night's action

A point clear at the top of the league with six points in hand on your closest rivals doesn’t sound much like a crisis, but by Billericay Town’s standards losing a second league match in five days is anything but normal. Last night the Blues crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Folkestone Invicta, and given that prior to Saturday’s trip to Leiston they hadn’t lost since the opening day eyebrows will undoubtedly be raised. Perhaps the team are far too focused on the weekend, and their FA Trophy Quarter Final tie with Wealdstone, but whatever the reason for what may well be just a momentary downturn they’ve suddenly given hope to Margate and Dulwich Hamlet, hope that neither club could really have expected to receive.

But enough about Billericay.

Folkestone Invicta are having a magnificent season, and have now scored seventy five league goals, only one fewer than the leaders. Sitting in fourth place they’ve now beaten three of the top five, with only a defeat by the odd goal in seven against Dulwich Hamlet blotting that copybook- and they’ll be looking forward to an April rematch against those in pink and blue. On Saturday they put five past Wingate & Finchley, and last night never looked like giving up a hard-earned early advantage against their Essex visitors.

Neil Cugley’s side took the game to Billericay from the start, with Ade Yusuff going close inside the first few minutes, and they took the lead on 14 minutes when the ball found Johan Ter Horst on the left-hand side. The former Maidstone striker took his time before pulling it back for midfielder Kieron McCann to blast home a wonderful strike from 20 yards.

Invicta didn’t sit back and try to protect this lead; rather they attempted to add to it, and add to it they did, just before the interval. Ter Horst tucked away his fifth goal in three games since rejoining his ‘home town side.’

Billericay attempted to hit back in the second half but found keeper Tim Roberts in fine form- although he had enormous help from defender Josh Vincent, who was twice called upon to clear off his own line within a matter of seconds. The Blues did eventually get a goal, Billy Bricknell putting away a penalty as the game drew to a close, but it was to be scant consolation for Glenn Tamplin and Harry Wheeler’s men, who could lose the top spot if Margate win at Needham Market on Saturday.

There were no other matches in the Bostik League last night, but there was a Bostik League battle in the Surrey County Cup as Leatherhead defeated their tenants, Kingstonian, 2-0 at Fetcham Grove. Dorking Wanderers had a six-nil victory at Colliers Wood United in the same competition, whilst in the Middlesex County Cup Hendon entertained Barnet at Silver Jubilee Park and came away with a 2-0 victory over the League Two side.

Don’t forget we have Friday Night Football in Bostik North, as Sky Sports watch James Beardwell’s Witham Town (!) host Heybridge Swifts.

Thanks to Mick Cork at Invicta for his help with these words

Where next?

Police Squad! Defender has Football League trial- and two players arrive
Long serving Invicta PA man steps down Terry hangs up his mic after 15 years

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