Folkestone 2nd XI's recent run of good form came to a halt on Saturday as they were comprehensively beaten 6-1 at home by the league leaders, Eastbourne 1st XI. Despite a resilient performance, Eastbourne's clinical finishing proved the difference, ensuring they maintained their grip on the top spot.
Folkestone, fresh from a positive outing against Ashford, knew they faced a stern test against an Eastbourne side that finished as runners-up in the league last season and currently setting the pace. Coach Jack Gooding’s pre-game message was clear: stay in the game and capitalize on opportunities.
The match started with Eastbourne on the front foot, applying immediate pressure. Folkestone attempted to use aerial balls to clear their lines, but inconsistent umpiring interpretations often nullified this tactic.
The pressure eventually told. The opening goal came from a short corner; Folkestone goalkeeper Matt Brenchley made the initial save, but Eastbourne reacted quickest to gather the rebound and lift it over the grounded keeper and defenders.
A controversial second goal quickly followed. A robust bodycheck by an Eastbourne player on the edge of their own circle was deemed legal by the officials, allowing them to break rapidly. They won another short corner, and the resulting shot was cruelly deflected through the keeper’s legs and into the goal.
Folkestone, however, began to show flashes of their attacking prowess. Utilizing their forward line's skill in carrying the ball, they launched dangerous counter-attacks. One such break led to a penalty corner. Alex "Wishy" Wishart stepped up and fired the ball high to the right, leaving the keeper and postman with no chance to pull a goal back and make it 2-1. Game on.
Unfortunately for the home side, Eastbourne restored their two-goal cushion before halftime with a well-worked goal, their forwards' intelligent movement creating space for a lovely deflection into the side netting.
The halftime message in the Folkestone camp focused on the minimal difference in team quality, acknowledging that Eastbourne was simply more clinical in key moments.
The second half began much like the first, with Eastbourne employing a high press, putting immense pressure on the Folkestone defence. While Folkestone sometimes managed to play the ball out of the back, the pressure led to costly turnovers.
Eastbourne extended their lead to 4-1 with another penalty corner conversion, taking the ball left before striking it low into the bottom right corner. The fifth goal was contentious. A deflected aerial ball was swatted in by an Eastbourne stick after the ball and stick has passed over a number of heads, yet the umpires deemed the play "not dangerous," much to the frustration of the Folkestone players.
Folkestone continued to fight, creating several penalty corners of their own through good pressure around the circle. This half, however, the visiting goalkeeper was in inspired form, equal to everything Wishart could throw at him.
Eastbourne completed the scoring with their sixth goal, a reverse bunt from the top of the circle that sealed a dominant victory.
Folkestone 2nd XI will need to regroup and focus on the positive passages of play as they head into their final game before the Christmas break next week, travelling away to face bottom-of-the-league Burnt Ash.