Written by Chris Cummings
Saturday 7th January 2023
Football returned to the Maurice Rebak Stadium for the first time in 2023 and Isthmian Premier League top scorer Ade Yussuf continued his fine goalscoring run as an impressive and in-form Folkestone Invicta side ran out 0-2 winners against Wingate & Finchley. An open start to the match saw a few half-chances for both sides, the best of which fell to Folkestone’s Ira Jackson Jr. who flashed a shot wide of the Wingate goal following a defensive mishap. Shortly after the half hour mark, Ade Yussuf was bundled over by Camron Gbadebo and the prolific striker made no mistake from the spot, taking his goal tally to 19 for the season.The best first-half chance for the home side followed immediately, where Antonis Vasiliou was laid through one on one but dragged his effort wide of the post. Wingate did put the away side under pressure throughout the first half and Invicta were issued three yellow cards before the interval.
There were a flurry of early second half chances which were spurned by Folkestone Invicta as the conditions made life difficult for the Wingate defenders and goalkeeper. However, Folkestone’s Ira Jackson Jr sealed the three points for the away side on the hour mark, after a sharp break down the right afforded him the opportunity to curl into Ben Goode’s top corner. No more than the Kent side deserved as their front three caused havoc throughout the game.
Wingate & Finchley came out firing after the second goal, led by substitute and debutant Quaine Bartley, who has joined on loan from AFC Wimbledon. He rattled the keeper’s left hand post from a corner, and had a second attempt cleared off the line just moments after. However, Folkestone held on and managed the remaining minutes well. A deserved victory for Folkestone who carry their good form onwards, making this their fourth consecutive league victory as they climb into 12th in the table, only 4 points off the play off places. Meanwhile Wingate & Finchley attention will turn to the London Senior Cup, where they welcome Dulwich Hamlet from the National League South to the Maurice Rebak stadium on Tuesday 10th January.
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