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This was an exciting game which had all the drama, thrills and spills that you come to expect from the FA Cup. The action moved from one end to the other with both sides creating chances and for the spectators, neutral and partisan alike, it was excellent value for money. Scott Forbes may have been awarded the 'Fisk Man of the Match' but everybody at Park Lane knew that it was the visiting 'keeper, David Wietecha, who was the real hero. He certainly saved his side from a drubbing and, but for his agility and superb acrobatics, Canvey would have won with at least a three goal margin. But football, be it FA Cup or Ryman League, takes no notice of what might have been or what nearly happened. It's all down to what actually happened on the day and, important for Invicta fans to note, what the referee actually sees and notes. Folkestone fans were angry on the half-hour when the ball, deflected for what looked like a Micky Bennett own goal, was apparently pulled back from over the goal line by Danny Potter. But referee Mr Cousins was not as convinced as the hundred or so travelling fans behind the goal and he waved play on. Was it over? Was it a save? As always we have to live with the decision of the referee, who is always right (even when he is wrong!) But there were even more 'might have beens' at the other end and had Neil Gregory's early header gone in, had Scott Forbes not hit the crossbar and had Wietecha not been on tip-top form, Canvey might have gone it at half-time with a three-nil lead. That's what makes football the game that it is. Canvey took a little time to settle today and for the first 15 minutes they were playing the ball in the air far too often and with very little effect. The Folkestone defence was well organised and held up well against the aerial assault. But it was when Canvey started to play the ball to feet that they looked good and they found the gaps in the visiting defence. Ex-Canvey man Scott Lindsay had an excellent game and was there to clear off his own line in the 10th minute after Forbes set up a beautiful cross from the right that was sent goalwards, until Lindsay cleared it for a corner. Even from the corner Lindsay was there to clear for a second time in as many minutes. The Folkestone midfield was very quick on the ball and on a couple of occasions they almost caught Canvey napping as they burst forward at breakneck speed. James Dryden was almost in for a bouncing ball on 12 minutes when Potter was just a tad slow coming off his line to pick up a loose back-pass. But Folkestone were depending too heavily on the 'quick break' approach whereas Canvey were taking their time to build attacks from midfield and they looked the more dangerous side for it. Folkestone were certainly no push-over, in spite of their lowly league position and their fast attacks almost paid off on a couple of occasions. It was thanks to a Chenery goal line clearance from Darren Smith's long shot on 25 minutes that Canvey still had a clean sheet. It was from this timely clearance that Canvey immediately set up a dangerous looking attack which ended when Forbes unleashed a dynamic volley that, although it beat the keeper, slammed into the crossbar before bouncing to safety Canvey's attacks were being well orchestrated by good runs down both flanks and it was Forbes who was providing most of the service - mostly aimed at the head of Neil Gregory. Once again he was timing his jumps to perfection and the way he was laying off the ball was first class. Ben Chenery enjoyed coming down the right and with the usual support from John Kennedy and Lee Boylan, fans knew that a goal would not be too long in coming. It was Chenery who made Canvey's first goal when he collected the ball deep in his own half and decided to make a run. He was almost brought down on a couple of occasions but he held onto the ball with determination until he was wide to the right of the Folkestone penalty area. He crossed the ball initially to Lee Boylan but he in turn sold a great dummy and it ran on beautifully for Greggers; ideally placed to slam home - possibly a slight deflection on the way - into the corner of the net. Half-time came and Canvey were worth their one goal lead. It might have been more but Folkestone were putting up plenty of opposition and with the bounce of the ball, plus some good goalkeeping, Canvey had to be satisfied with their slender lead. Half time Canvey 1 Folkestone 0 Canvey came out for the second half firing on all cylinders and Neil Gregory went very close after just a few minutes, his well timed shot going just wide. Then it was Lee Boylan's turn to test the visiting keeper, forcing Wietecha to make yet another superb save. In fact Boylan was very keen to get onto the scoresheet and he was chasing absolutely everything. Canvey's second goal was a terrific effort, involving John Kennedy and Lee Boylan who, working together, set things up for Forbes who found himself in acres of space right in front of the visitors empty goal. When Boylan's cross came over he made no mistake and he hammered home from 5 yds. A well deserved goal and just reward for all the hard work he had put in all afternoon. Folkestone were still playing well but although they were looking sharp in the middle of the park, they still couldn't do anything once they got to the danger area. Steve Ward played his usual game - superb - and there were very few gaps for the visitors to squeeze through. Danny Potter had a much quieter afternoon than his counterpart but when he was called upon to take out high balls, he did so with confidence. But the Canvey defence was breached in the 78th minute and once again it came about following a set piece; this time a corner. There was something of a scramble in the Canvey penalty area and eventually it was substitute John Ayling who connected with a loose ball and Folkestone had suddenly grabbed one back. Folkestone now lifted their game by a couple of notches but, as witnessed on several occasions recently, the Canvey defence matched it ball for ball. It made for some exciting football although the best chances were still being created in the visitors' penalty area. Neil Gregory refused to give up the chase and he had a couple of chances either cleared or saved, as did Lee Boylan. But the save of the match didn't come until almost the lack kick of the game and it was the hard working John Kennedy who forced it. It was a screaming volley and quite how Wietecha got to it still remains a mystery. A close score that wasn't exactly a true reflection of the game, but Canvey are through to the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Cup, while Folkestone have the opportunity to concentrate on the league. Match Report by Merv. Teams
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