Date: 11th December 2005

Scorers:
Willers 41, 65, 70
Hermitage 47

Half Time: 0 - 0

Man of the Match: Tom Parsons - Playing left midfield, a rejuvenated Parsons played the game with a positive and determined frame of mind. He linked up well with French during the game and made good use of the ball displaying his physical attributes when firm tackling was required.

Invicta entertained Eversley Rangers whom they beat in a 5 goal thriller earlier in the season and on the back of 2 solid wins and 2 clean sheets needed to be on their toes if they were to make it three in a row. Frozen pitch conditions saw the kick off delayed by half an hour to ensure the keepers were not at risk.

Invicta started with the same eleven as last week with Taylor returning in place of Holmes on the bench.

The first 40 minutes saw both defences have the upper hand as chances were few and far between. The quartet of Thompson, Barnett, Freke and Whittome were looking solid as a unit and Kinderman had little to worry him in the opening period.

Invicta’s best chances were coming from Mason on the right as his positive runs and interplay with Whittome and Poore were creating good crossing opportunities, but neither Willers or Hermitage could get on the end of them. Thompson saw a header from a Mason corner cleared off the line after a fine delivery again from Mason.

At half time it was 0-0 and a fair reflection on the play. Invicta made one change with Nicholls replaced Phillips in the centre of Invicta’s midfield and a strong half time message to the team to up their work rate and be sharper to the ball.

Within a minute of the restart a long ball from Poore found his man and Willers fired home from 12 yards. A perfect start to the second period and Invicta never looked back as Hermitage made it 2-0 on 47 mins when a fine Willers run beat two defenders and he slipped the ball for Hermitage to slide in the corner.

Eversley were stunned but kept playing their football and made sure the Invicta defence could not relax as they tried to get back in the game.

Leigh and Hinson replaced Barnett and Hermitage on the hour and with Mason, Nicholls and Parsons really imposing themselves on the midfield area, the ball was kept in Eversley’s half. Willers and Mason forced a corner by closing down the away defence and this same combination made it 3-0 as Willers headed home Mason’s fine corner on 65 mins.

Taylor replaced the tiring Parsons and as Invicta created more opportunities, Willers finally got his hat trick after good work on the left by Poore and soaked up the applause as he made way for Hermitage in the last 10 minutes.

After a quiet first period, Invicta played to their strengths in the second period and having netted the important first goal, showed why they are challenging the top teams in this division.

Invicta are scheduled to travel to Addiscombe next Sunday in their final league game of 2005.

Leading Scorers:
Tom Willers 14
Chris Hermitage 8