In the lower divisions, such as the Isthmian League, real sensations are also born. Folkestone Invicta, a modest club from Kent, founded in 1947, plays in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The Fullicks Stadium has a capacity of about 4 thousand spectators, and the team is known for its tenacity and unexpected victories over the favorites.
Betting on their matches rarely brings millions, but several cases have become legends among bettors in winthere.org.uk due to the high odds on underdogs.
Match against Billericay Town: 2018, a sensation in the FA Trophy
In December 2018, Folkestone Invicta faced Billericay Town in the fourth round of the FA Trophy, a cup for lower leagues. Billericay, then leaders of the National League South (Level 6), were considered the clear favourites. They had been bolstered by stars from the top divisions before the season, including ex-Chelsea and West Ham players. The odds on a victory for Folkestone were around 5.50, as Invicta were fighting for survival in their league.
The match was played at the Fullicks Stadium on 15 December. For the first 20 minutes, Billericay dominated, hitting the target with 7 shots, but the goalkeeper of Folkestone, Louis Thomas (now in Gillingham), parried all of them. In the 28th minute, a counterattack: striker Ian Dorset broke through the flank and passed to Joe Dillon, who scored from 20 meters - 1:0. In the second half, Billericay increased the pressure, scoring on the 55th (a goal from Harry McCourt) - 1:1. But Folkestone did not break: on the 72nd minute, after a corner, defender Kyle Larkin headed the ball - 2:1. The final: 2:1 in favor of the outsider.
This victory was a shock - Billericay had not lost at home in 10 consecutive matches. Betting on Folkestone, winnings of up to £10,000 on bets of £1,000-£2,000. One case from the reports: a bet of £500 for victory brought £2,750.
Win over Haringey Borough: 2019/20, home triumph
The 2019/20 season in the Isthmian Premier Division was a busy one for Folkestone, who finished 5th, but a key match against Haringey Borough on 23 November 2019 was a betting hit. Haringey, a London-based newcomer to the league, led the table with 10 wins from 12 games, boasting a powerful attack (an average of 3 goals per match). The coefficient for the visitors was 1.80, for Folkestone — 3.75.
The game started equal: in the 12th minute, Haringey opened the scoring with a long-range shot from Charlie Lee's — 0:1. Folkestone responded in the 35th - midfielder Oran Odua intrigued with dribbling and assisted on Aden McCartney, 1:1. In the second half "Invicta seized the initiative: in the 58th Odua scored himself after a solo pass, bypassing two defenders - 2:1. Haringey pressed, but in the 82nd minute a mistake by the goalkeeper of the guests allowed Joe Dillon to take a double — 3:1. The result: 3:1.
This victory ended Haringey's streak of 7 wins. Bettors noted the winnings: one anonymous bettor placed a £2,000 bet on Falkestone 1.5 goals (odds of 2.10), winning £4,200. Total pool: up to £50,000 in all bets.
Success against Kingstonians: 2021, Cup breakthrough
In the first round of the 2021/22 FA Cup, on September 5, Folkestone hosted Kingstonian (also from the Isthmian Premier). Kingstonian was in form, with four consecutive wins, and their odds were 2.20 to 3.00 for the hosts. Invicta, on the other hand, had lost three of their last five matches.
The match at Fullix started off with a bang: in the 8th minute, Kingston took the lead with a goal from striker Oliver Savage after a pass from the center — 0:1. Folkestone equalized in the 22nd minute: center forward Jack Hobden won a high tackle and scored a rebound goal — 1:1. The break was spent in a positional struggle. In the second half, on the 55th minute, Hobden scored a double after a defender's mistake, making it 2-1. Kingston responded on the 70th (Savage, 2-2), but on the 88th minute, substitute Chris Snyder scored the winning goal from a corner, making it 3-2.
It was a surprise, as Kingston had not lost in the cup for 6 matches. Betting winnings reached 15,000 pounds — for example, a 1,000 bet on an exact score of 3:2 (odds of 25.00) earned 25,000 pounds for one bettor.
The Battle with Dulwich Hamlet: 2022, a Goal Festival
On March 13, 2022, in the Isthmian Premier, Folkestone played against Dulwich Hamlet, a mid-table team with a strong defense (3 clean sheets in 5 games). The odds on a draw were 3.40, and on Falkston, 2.50, but the match turned out to be goal-scoring, perfect for totals.
On the road, Dulwich took the lead in the 15th minute (a goal from Marcus Bern - 0:1). Folkestone responded on the 28th: Ian Dorset scored a penalty - 1:1. On the 42nd, Berna scored a double — 1:2. In the second half, on the 52nd, Dillon equalized with a long-range shot — 2:2. On the 65th substitute, Lukas Rutkowski put the visitors ahead — 2:3. But Invicta did not give up: on the 78th Hobden scored a header — 3:3, and on the 90th 2 Dorset scored a hat-trick from a pass — 4:3! The
4-3 draw became a sensation — Dulwich did not play a draw for 8 matches. Betters won on the over 3.5 total (odds of 2.20): a bet of 3,000 pounds won 6,600. The total win in the market was about 20,000.