Date: 5th December 2004

Scorers:
Invicta - Wiilers (18, 45, 63) Hermitage (1)
Eagles - Booth (5) Casson (23) Tookey (48)

Invicta welcomed December with a fine away win at Eden Eagles at Harvington Rec on a mild Sunday morning. Matches between these two sides have always produced goals and competitively fought games played in a spirited manner and this was no exception.

Invicta with a full squad to select from and a much improved attendance at training saw Adam Smith making his first start on the outfield to ensure better use of the ball, Leigh and Phillips partnering in the heart of defence and Thompson picking up the captaincy responsibilities.

Within 10 seconds of the start Invicta went one up when Willers flicked on a Parsons through ball and Hermitage was on hand to strike the ball passed Neville Wood into the corner of the net.

Whilst this early goal settled Invicta, Eagles heads were far from down and the battle for midfield ensued. The equaliser came on 5 mins when a long ball undid the Invicta rearguard and the impressive Matt Booth was on hand to beat the advancing Kinderman.

Chances fell at both ends with keepers, Kinderman and Wood making excellent stops to keep the scores level. Tom Willers and Chris Hermitage were combining well and created an opening on 18 mins that Willers tucked away with some finesse to make it 2-1.

A series of corners from Mason, were met with good headers but Wood was equal to them. Back came Eagles and Matt Casson who was giving Jack Parsons problems on the Invicta left finally found space and slotted home from 15 yards to make it 2-2 on 23 mins.

The second half was much of the same with both teams looking for more goals. Ollie Leigh and Andrew Phillips got stronger as the half went on and were determined to thwart any danger. For Eagles, Matt Booth was finding space and proving a real handful with Taylor and Holmes having to double up on defensive duties.

Invicta regained the lead on 45 when Thompson fed Willers and he was able to get clear of Sam Took to give Wood no chance to make it 3-2. Could Invicta go on to get a crucial 4th or would Eagles yet again come back?

Again chances fell to both teams and it was a fine strike from Rob Nicholls that Kinderman did well to parry but Steve Tookey was on hand to knock in the rebound.

With 20 mins still to play this was anybody’s game, Tim Hinson replaced a tiring Mason who had worked hard on Invicta’s right hand side and with Tom Parsons pushing forward from right back, it was this combination that fed Willers who seeking his hat trick made no mistake.

In the final 10 minutes the ball flashed passed the Invicta goal but Eagles failed to finish on one occasion and Tom Parsons very coolly guided the ball away to safety. In the final seconds Matt Booth got clear one on one with Kinderman and a magnificent parry denied Eagles the equaliser and Leigh cleared to safety.

A most exciting game that had it finished level, no one would have argued; it was a credit to both sets of players in their determination and sportsmanship that was allowed to flow by the referee. Well done to Geoff Tookey and his players for their contribution to today’s game.

After some mixed performances, the Invicta manager was delighted with the way his players made better use of the ball and showed greater composure when in possession. A good all round team performance with Phillips and Hermitage putting in their best displays of the season and Willers playing with greater focus than in recent weeks.