MAIDSTONE UNITED 1 FOLKESTONE INVICTA 1
Where do Folkestone really rank on the derby scale? The level of animosity usually hinges on factors like geographical proximity, status, and violent incidents in games, such as, to take a random example, a player headbutting a goalkeeper and facing no meaningful sanction for it.
Folkestone’s too far away to be a genuinely “local” derby. They seem to hate Dover more than anyone else and we haven’t been in the same division for 13 years although when we did last meet in the play-off semi-final, The Brave Brit, Steve Watt, did his bit to ignite the rivalry in stoppage time by booting the ball out of play about 60 yards further down the field than the point where they’d thrown it back to us after an injury.
One lingering memory from that game was how there was hardly any away support. It wasn’t segregated, because JWW was in its first season we’d yet to acquire our battalion of canine molesters, but aside from a chant of “where were you when you were shit” they made very little noise and even that was questionable. At the relegation showdown in 2007-08 the crowd was at least 50 percent Maidstone and a largely silent home contingent included the local MP Michael Howard, who was lurking in the main stand.
Things move. Maidstone and Folkestone are both very different clubs. Folkestone have got money and with it a new generation of fans, around 300 of whom were given the Town End last night: at least they didn’t sing “where were you when you were shit” this time, as that really would have been taking the piss.
Before the game I would have taken a point, bearing in mind what happened in last year’s FA Cup, the fact they can afford players like Joe Pigott and Kevin Lokko, and their result on opening day, when they dismantled Walton & Hersham.
This was the first real test, however. They were due to play Gravesend on Saturday but that game was postponed and it now seems decreasingly likely it will take place at all. Indeed, talking to a Fleet fan last night I could feel that rivalry vanishing down a plug hole.
By the end I couldn’t believe we hadn’t won. Folkestone’s Twitter account described it as “a massive point on the road”, and with due respect, it felt like the occasion got to some of their players. Pigott and Lokko will have seen it all before of course, but others looked like they had stage fright.
In the first half, in particular, they seemed to panic every time Court, Leahy and Gravata ran at them. Leahy had a sighter, then hit what Bobby Robson called “the inside of the post,” although at this stage Folkestone looked just as likely to score on the break. Smith dragged one wide and Thomas split our defence with a through ball, forcing Holden to save a one-on-one with Cosgrove.
Court headed against the bar and then saw a huge penalty shout for handball turned down. He then curled one just wide before Collins spilled a shot from Gravata and got back up to turn the rebound round the post for a corner.
Pigott forced Holden into a save just before the break and Gravata was then clattered in the box, the referee making the “ball” gesture after turning down the appeal.
It wasn’t easy on the nerves and in a highly charged atmosphere Fagan and Saunders had words as they walked off at the break. Rob Tuvey was having a “discussion” with Tom Parkinson and there was some posturing in the tunnel.
That level of intensity couldn’t last and the second half was less open. Gravata and Court created a couple of half chances, but then Pigott crossed from the right and Lovatt fired in the second ball from long range, past a possibly unsighted Holden.
It was a brilliant strike but they had only three minutes to enjoy the lead, Charles bundling in from about a yard after a free-kick. From then on only one side really looked interested in getting a winner. Folkestone had a penalty appeal turned down on the hour but otherwise Maidstone were on top, the finishing never quite matching the quality of the approach play.
Hanson had one great effort from 25 yards that was tipped over and then both sides seemed to run out of gas. Folkestone had enough possession to make the six added minutes nervous, but lacked a goal threat. And right at the end of the two extra minutes the referee threw in, Court waltzed his way past multiple challenges. It felt like he was going to get wiped out at any second but he stayed on his feet and slipped in Boruk, who went down in the box. The pass looked slightly overhit, which may have influenced the ref, and it ended 1-1.
“At this level, away from home, it’s a good point,” Saunders said, although he looked slightly disappointed. “When you come to big grounds like this with big crowds you turn up and it’s no disrespect to the league below but it feels like a proper football game. Under the lights as well it was a really good atmosphere. I’m gutted we didn’t hold on to all three but I’m pleased for our supporters that they came here and saw us get something.”
Fagan looked disappointed for different reasons. “We needed to play with enthusiasm considering the last home performance and what a game,” he said. “We had a hell of a lot of chances in the first half and we were disappointed to go a goal down, but we showed resilience to get back in the game and maybe a penalty at the end. I’m not too sure if it was or not but I’ve just said in the changing room that’s the kind of performance I want and demand. They gave me that.”
Is this going to be a rivalry? Possibly not, as everyone bar the managers seemed happy, with the exception of someone whose take was that the owners had cost us two points. Things really do move on. He was probably a foetus in 2008 and his timeline makes Michael Howard look like Tony Benn.
