Local Derby Faversham’s RHC Invicta vs HBU

Local Derby Faversham’s RHC Invicta vs HBU semi cup final Score: 4-14 

Faversham’s recently formed RHC Invicta faced current Cup holders Herne Bay United. The game was always going to be a tense affair with 7 of Invicta’s selected players being ex-United, who transferred to Invicta in December this season and 3 from the other club in Herne Bay, and it proved just that.
A 300 hundred strong crowd came to see the teams meet and United were slow to start and without usual captain Simon Hosking failed to make an immediate impact on the game and it was Invicta who drew first blood with a well finished slap shot by Invicta’s captain Joe Fidock. United remained calm and didn’t look worried yet and United’s Neil Austin got his first of the game within 2 minutes. It wasn’t long before the intensity showed with Invicta’s Liam Holland getting the first Blue of the game for hooking. Brendan Barker failed to make the awarded direct free hit count but soon made up for his miss with his first of the game and put United one up. But within a minute Invicta got level and United openly unhappy with the awarded goal after feeling it went in off the foot of an Invicta player.
At this point United knuckled down and went about their work with Barker and Austin both getting four in the first half, Invicta could only reply with one for the awarded Direct Free Hit after United’s Myles Barker was sent off with a blue card 6 seconds from the end of the half. United finished first half 3 – 8 up and both teams with a blue card apiece.
The second half was a lot more physical with many off the ball fouls going un noticed with players tempers on the edge and words being exchanged it was only a short time before more penalties and cards were issued. Austin got his fifth goal within the first six minutes of the restart before United got stuck in a section failing to score the chances they were creating and Invicta’s second keeper Joel Carnell starting excellently. United’s stand in Captain Karl finished a well executed goal to open United’s scoring again. Barker then finished twice more within minutes of each other before being sent off for a strong challenge, but showed no argument. United held strong and Invicta failed to score in the power play and soon followed the fourth blue card of the game going to Invicta’s Charlie Pughe. United made the extra player count and scored on the Power play with Austin finishing and Hudson getting United’s final goal of the game 4 minutes from time and giving united an 11 goal lead.
The game became very slow with so many fouls and the final 3 minutes took over ten minutes to be played and tempers finally getting the better of a number of player only for United’s Neil Austin and Myles Tichband receiving marching order 27 seconds from the end as well as the Invicta Coach & President David White also getting a red card. Invicta were awarded a penalty in the final seconds which Jay Williamson initially saved and openly pleased about feeling he had kept a clean sheet for his second half only for the penalty to be retaken after two Invicta players moved prior to the player striking the ball meaning United should have been awarded a free hit and not the retake, a penalty should only be retaken if a player of the opposition encroaches. Invicta failed to score the second time but a pass made from the rebound secured their fourth of the game and merely only a consolation and losing the semi final by a clear 10 goals.
United now progress to the Final which is scheduled for the 24th July 2010 at the Pier Pavilion Herne Bay, but they will be without Neil Austin due to his red card. Captain Karl Smith said after the game, “we’re pleased with the result the majority of the crowd enjoyed the game and we now progress to the final, the only down side and disappointment is we will be without Neil, but we have plenty of available players and must focus on the League and our task of retaining the title”

Team list
RHC Invicta: Dave Beeson, Joe Fidock(Capt)(1), Charlie Pughe(2), Tom White, Danny Butcher(1), Richard Butcher, Myles Tichband, Liam Holland, Lee Chestnutt, Joel Carnell, Manager: Ken Pughe, Coach: David White
HBU: Jay Williamson, David Garlick (g/ks), Joe Singleton, Karl Smith(capt)(1), Myles Barker, Joel de Figueiredo, Matt Barton, Neil Austin(6), Dendy Hudson(1), Brendan Barker(6),