Folkestone Invicta 3, Newport County AFC 1

AFTER coming from behind to defeat Cambridge on Tuesday evening, the boot was on County's other foot at Cheriton Road on Saturday with Matt Rose's impressive strike eventually being overhauled by the home side.

Midfielder Rose now has nine goals to his credit this season as he followed his strike at Cambridge with another spectacular effort. Mike Fowler, despite the difficult playing surface, worked the ball through to him and the Cheltenham-based player made space to hammer home an unstoppable shot.

The main talking point concerned the incidents around the half hour mark just as County were looking to consolidate the advantage Rose had given to them on 24 minutes. An off-the-ball incident, involving Jeff Eckhardt and Folkestone's Martin Chandler and seemingly only witnessed by an assistant referee, was drawn to the senior official's attention and Eckhardt received a red card.

Chandler then paved the way for an immediate equaliser as he fired in an effort that was helped into the net by Billy Clark. To add insult to injury, there was also a case for a Folkestone dismissal as full back Matt Bower's challenge on Scott Walker laid out the County midfielder and did not even prompt a lecture from referee Hayto.

Although being a man short for an hour of the game, County didn't look in any discomfort until Folkestone edged in front with just 18 minutes left. The home team produced a high cross from the right and a posse of players attacked the ball, James Dryden getting the vital touch.

The home side took command for the latter stages but they were, nevertheless, flattered by the final scoreline, completed by a last minute penalty.

Folkestone Invicta: D Wietecha, M Bower, J Virgo (R Reins 64), D Larkin, S Daniels, A Larkin, M Chandler (S Hogg 46), D Chapman, J Dryden, N Dent, L McRobert (D Fisk 88). Bookings: S Daniels 59-foul, M Bower 73-foul, N Dent 90-foul.

Newport County: P Mountain, D Robison, S Benton, B Clark, A Thomas, M Fowler (N Davies 55), M Rose, S Walker, J Eckhardt, M Paul, S Cowe. Subs: D Ryan, R Edwards. Sending Off: J Eckhardt 29. Bookings: A Thomas 80-foul, S Cowe 90-foul. Attendance 434.

Referee: Mr J Hayto (Chelmsford).

County's successful youth team completed another win on Saturday defeating Bath City 2-1 in the Forester's Health South West Counties League Cup. Trailing at half time, they equalised late in the game through Allan Stevenson and Chris Wilson notched the winner in extra time.