WATCH Bognor launch another Folkestone fightback but this time it ends in defeat

Coach Robbie Blake watched Bognor crash out of the Velocity Trophy in a seven-goal thriller - then praised his battling players to the hilt for their gutsy display in the 4-3 loss.
By Carl Eldridge
Published 22nd Jan 2020, 08:40 BST
Updated 22nd Jan 2020, 16:01 BST
James Crane made it 3-2 to give Bognor hope of another comeback / Picture: Tommy McMillanJames Crane made it 3-2 to give Bognor hope of another comeback / Picture: Tommy McMillan
James Crane made it 3-2 to give Bognor hope of another comeback / Picture: Tommy McMillan

The Nye Camp aces battled back from 3-0 to level the scores at 3-3 at the Buildkent Stadium only to succumb to a late winner for the home side.

The teams shared seven goals on Saturday when the Rocks came out dramatic 4-3 winners in an Isthmian premier game on Saturday, but it was the hosts who took the spoils this time of asking.

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The game gave opportunities for squad players to get some valuable game time with Eddie Wakley, Ben Mendoza and Aaron Hopkinson all starting as well as a chance for new recruit Mo Diallo to make his debut after recently dual signing from Newhaven.

Johan Ter Horst gave Invicta the lead on 26 minutes and Ronnie Dolan doubled Neil Cugley outfit's advantage just after the break before Jerson Dos Santos made it 3-0 on 55 minutes -- and the visitors looked down and out.

But a spirited spell saw Bognor claw themselves back into the tie. Eddie Wakley pulled one goal back on 58 minutes before James Crane gave the Rocks a glimmer of hope with a strike on 76 minutes for 3-2.

Then, with five minutes remaining, former Pompey striker Dan Smith made it all square and it looked for all the world that the game would go to penalties. But there was heartache for manager Jack Pearce, Blake and the players when Der Horst grabbed a 90th minute winner.

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Blake said there was "lots of positives" to take from the game and spoke of the desire within the side as a big bonus. He said: "I have nothing but praise for the players, they were fantastic. They are pleasure to work with. To come back from 3-0 down to 3-3 and then have a chance to make it 4-3 to us before eventually losing out shows just how much character we have in the side.

"Attitude, commitment and work rate will always be attributes that help and we have those in abundance -- the spirit was incredible and we now need to harness those qualities for the game at Potters Bar on Saturday.

"If we can replicate those qualities and keep doing the right things we have every right to have an eye on attaining a play-off place. But we have reminded the players that the hard work and desire must continue, and we get the chance to go again at Potters Bar.”

Bognor: Tangara, Whyte, Crane, Tuck, Wakley, Leigh T, Hopkinson, Diallo, Flint, Smith, Mendoza. Subs: Barker, Walsh.

Related topics:BognorRobbie BlakeJack Pearce