Ramsgate 2 Folkestone Invicta 3 match report: Twelve wins in a row for Isthmian Premier leaders

Substitute Donell Thomas scored an injury-time winner at Ramsgate as Folkestone made it 12 successive victories at the top of the Isthmian Premier.

Invicta opened up a two-goal lead through Ade Yusuff and Jake Hutchinson but Rams levelled thanks to substitutes Solomon Ogunwomoju and Bioletti, who scored with his first touch after returning from a heel injury.

But there was a late twist as Thomas pounced in added time to keep Folkestone’s winning run going and maintain their 11-point lead at the summit.

Folkestone took an 11th-minute lead in front of a big Christmas crowd at Southwood.

Hutchinson did well to pinch the ball just inside the area before going for goal.

Rams keeper Dillon Addai touched his shot on to the post but the ball rolled along the line for Yusuff to finish.

Folkestone’s back three were looking nice and solid and the visitors were taking the chance to get the ball forward quickly.

Ramsgate had an opportunity to level midway through the half, however, when TJ Jadama rose to meet Alfie Paxman’s deep free-kick, only to see his header drop narrowly wide.

That would have been harsh on Folkestone as the free-kick award was generous to say the least.

Jay Saunders’ side threatened to add a second when Yusuff’s through ball released Hutchinson but Tom Clifford made a superb goal-saving challenge in the box.

Minutes later, a lovely run and 25-yard strike from Ryan Kingsford nearly produced the equaliser for a Ramsgate side who finished the first half strongly.

Paxman flashed a ball across the face of goal after linking with Jadama, and Jadama forced Ted Collins into action after looking to catch out the keeper with a near-post strike.

Invicta half-time substitute, defender Joel Odeniran, had a header blocked from an Ike Orji corner in a bright start to the second half.

Ronnie Dolan was the man withdrawn, with Liam Smith pushed into a holding midfield role.

Jadama worked Collins again at the end of a jinking run.

But Folkestone doubled their lead in the 59th minute when Hutchinson, moments after firing wide from Odeniran’s pass, dispossessed Raphe Brown in the box and beat Addai.

It was hard to see a side of Folkestone’s quality losing a two-goal lead but Ramsgate got back into the game as substitute Ogunwomoju bent the ball inside the far post, beating the dive of Collins in the 68th minute.

The goal gave Ramsgate belief and they were back on level terms three minutes later through Bioletti on his return from injury.

He pounced at the back post after Collins saved Ogunwomoju’s header from an inswinging Paxman free-kick.

It looked set to finish in a draw until Thomas pounced in the fourth of six added minutes following good work from Odeniran - triggering huge celebrations in the away end.

Rams substitute Eze Ebuzoeme was dismissed moments later after picking up a second yellow card.

Ramsgate: Addai, Brown, Gayle (Webster 36mins), Clifford, Lukombo, Munday, Jadama, Paxman, Kingsford (Ebuzoeme 61mins), May (Bioletti 70mins), Nunn (Ogunwomoju 57mins). Subs not used: Young.

Folkestone: Collins, Smith, German, Lokko, Orji, Dolan (Odeniran 46mins), Lovatt, Mason, Strouts (Thomas 76mins), Hutchinson (Jebb 90+3mins), Yusuff. Subs not used: McKenzie, Berry.

Referee: Steven Goldup.

Attendance: 2,268.