Folkestone Invicta Boss Jay Saunders Confronts 2-1 Derby Defeat Ending 12-Win Streak
A Challenging Derby for Folkestone
Jay Saunders, the manager of Folkestone, admitted that his team didn’t deserve anything from their home derby against Chatham, a fellow promotion-chasing side in the Isthmian Premier league. The match, which took place on Saturday, ended in a 2-1 defeat for Invicta, ending their 12-match winning streak in the league.
The goals came from young forward Sam Sene-Richardson and midfielder Kian Moynes, with defender Ben Mason scoring an injury-time consolation goal. Despite the loss, the result highlighted the challenges faced by the team during the cold afternoon.
Saunders started the match without key players such as forwards Joe Pigott and Donell Thomas, along with midfielder Adam Lovatt. Striker Ade Yusuff also left the game in the first half due to an injury.
Reflecting on the performance, Saunders said: “Chatham deserved to win the game, to be honest. I don’t think we started the game well enough and we didn’t really get going. You have to give the opposition credit, sometimes, and there’s not too many times I have said this this year, but we were not at it today. It’s difficult to start games poorly and then get yourselves into them.”
He added, “I’m disappointed in the two goals we have given away. They were both avoidable from our point of view, especially the second one - the second one is a terrible goal to concede. Not saying we deserved something out of the game, but if we don’t concede that, maybe you come away with a point out of the game and say ‘That’s a bad day at the office (but at least we didn’t lose).’”
However, Saunders acknowledged that the result was what it was and that the team needed to move on. Yusuff, who is 31 years old, collided with Chatham captain Reece Butler in the 25th minute and was stretchered off after nearly a 10-minute delay.
“He was knocked out,” confirmed Saunders. “Hopefully, he is all right and I’ll get in touch with him. We now lose him for three weeks. With Pigs being out as well, that’s not ideal. But these are things we’re going to have to look at.”
Despite the setback, the leaders of Invicta remain 11 points clear of second-placed Brentwood, who suffered a 4-1 defeat to Cray Wanderers. Additionally, Saunders' team has a league fixture in hand on them.
Folkestone had not dropped a single league point since their only other Isthmian Premier loss of the campaign, a 2-1 defeat against struggling Hashtag United in late October. Saunders remains hopeful that his team will be able to start another positive run.
“Hopefully,” he said. “We have got a really tough game against Aveley on Tuesday night. I don’t think they have lost since we beat them in September. They’re a good side on a good run. I don’t think they have lost away from home, either, so it’s not going to be an easy game.”
He continued, “But sometimes, it does restart you. Saturday, we played a good side and we had a lot of bodies out, which we now need to get fit and get right as soon as possible. There’s never a good time to lose a game of football, but we did it on the back of 12 wins, which was a club record, so there’s lots to be proud of and lots to be positive about.”
Saunders concluded by stating that he had spoken to the boys about what he thought, sharing some home truths on the performance, but also acknowledging that they bounced back really well against Hashtag. “Hopefully, we can do that again.”
