Date: 16th October 2005

Scorers:
Invicta: Willers (7, 15, 75)
Horely: Denton (30), Hollingsford (40), Bacchus (60)

Half time 2-2

Man of the match: Teddy, making his first start after impressive substitute performances in previous weeks, provided width down the left and was influential in Invicta’s overpowering start to the game.

With 1st playing 3rd and both unbeaten in the league a close encounter was always expected, however Invicta overran their opponents in the first 20 mins of this game on yet another beautiful morning for football.

Josh Poore and Teddy Hallford-Nye were given their first starts in the Invicta midfield as squad rotation was required after Phillips and Hinson gave impressive displays last week, whilst Andy Whitome and Tom Parsons continue to compete for the right back position.

Invicta took the game to Horley and as early as the 4th minute Chris Hermitage was put through but shot wide of the goal. Three mins later Teddy found Tom Willers who outpaced his defender to slip the ball passed the advancing keeper to make it 1-0.

Good work down the left saw Teddy pull the ball back and this time Hermitage hit the post and the ball was cleared. Willers went close and a snap shot from Hermitage was tipped over and the game was less than 15 mins old. Invicta finally made it 2-0 when a Leigh free kick was sweetly struck and Willers pressure on the defence allowed him to nip in a finish from a tight angle.

A foul on Thompson earned Invicta a free kick and Mason shot was again superbly tipped over for a corner.

Horley were being snuffed out at the back with Jack Freke looking very solid on the left and Whittome keeping tight on his man on the other flank. With Leigh winning the balls in the middle Barnett was enjoying the first 20 mins mainly as a spectator.

Horley made a change that proved decisive as Denton joined the fray and gave Horley more grit in midfield and Thompson and Poore so dominant were suddenly struggling.

The extra possession led to a poorly defended throw in and the subsequent corner was not cleared allowing Denton to nod the ball into the net on 30 mins. Horley were lifted and Invicta were clearly out of their rhythm.

The equaliser came right on the stroke of half time with a suspicion of offside as through ball found Hollingsford and he beat Kinderman from 12 yards.

Changes at half time saw Parsons come on at right back and Nicholls replace Poore in midfield. The second period saw Invicta pegged back again and Leigh and Barnett were much the busier defenders.

Horley took the lead with a well worked goal down the Invicta left that was dispatched by Bacchus on 60 mins. The game opened up and chances were created at both ends. Invicta introduced Phillips to give the midfield better shape and then moved to three at the back in an effort to force the equaliser.

The pressure built and in the end Willers tenacity paid off as he finished off a loose ball at the near post to get his hat trick with 5 mins left to play. Horley were rocked and Invicta pressed for the winner which the players thought had come via a long through ball from Leigh to Willers who finished well, but was ruled out for offside.

A 3 - 3 draw it finished with both teams unbeaten records still intact, though Invicta fall back to second place on goal difference.