Saturdays game saw the reserves visit premier division side Tunbridge Wells United in the first round of the Presidents Cup. After an encouraging start to the season the team were looking forward to pitting their wits against a team from a higher division and went into the contest with nothing to lose.
 
Although we were still missing a number of key players through injury and unavailability, the squad had a strong look about it and were able to include Lewis Locke, who had so far this season been part of the 1st team squad. The starting line-up was J Faulkner in goal, a back four of Bridges, Herbert, Chambers and Hunt. The midfield consisted of M Faulkner, Bowen, Locke and Poore, with Warner and Tuema up front. Tadmor, Gurney and debutant Rosier made up the bench.
 
Uncharacteristically we got off to a very fast start and early goals from Mark Faulkner and Lewis Locke put us in a very comfortable position after 20 minutes. At this point we probably relaxed a little too much which enabled Tunbridge Wells back into the game, although they were mainly restricted to shots from outside the box which were comfortably dealt with by James in goal.
 
After 30 minutes a low corner from the left by Poore was met at the near post by Warner who managed to steer the ball into the back of the net. 3-0 Invicta and at this point it looked like we would go on and score a couple more goals before half time. Locke and Bowen were proving to be a real handful in the centre of midfield with tough tackling and energetic running and both Mark and Josh on the wings were causing the full backs all sorts of problems.
 
Unfortunately on the stroke of half time a mix up in the Invicta six yard box allowed a Tunbridge Wells striker to sneak in and give his side a life line going into the second half.
 
The team talk at the break was to concentrate on continuing to do the simple things that we had done so well in the first half, although we knew that going up hill in the second period we were likely to come under more pressure.
 
Sadly we never really appeared after the break and all of the good football which had been evident in the first half disappeared.
 
Tunbridge Wells sensed that they had us on the back foot and continued to throw men forward in search of a goal. They got their reward mid way through the half when they scored direct from a corner. In search of a change of fortune and some fresh legs Warner, Mark Faulkner and Tuema made way for Tadmor, Gurney and Rosier.
 
Unfortunately although we created a few chances against the run of play we didn't take them and with time running out a ball over the top of the Invicta back four found the Tunbridge Wells left winger who managed to beat everyone to the ball and score his teams equaliser and force extra time.
 
Thankfully for us, shooting down hill again changed our fortunes and enabled us to start playing football just like we had in the first 45 minutes. Two early goals from distance by Rosier, settled our nerves and another from Gurney meant we took a 6-3 lead heading into the final 15 minutes.
 
Thankfully this time we kept applying pressure. Rosier completed his hatrick and Gurney scored his second of the match to ensure that we ended up 8-3 winners.
 
A good result from the squad ensures that we will now meet Woodlands in the next round with another tough game in prospect.