One goal in each half was enough for Folkestone Invicta to record a home victory against Welling United to win the Sid Burvill trophy.

Although Welling manager Ryan Maxwell would have liked to have finished the pre-season campaign with a win, he expected a tough game against last season’s Isthmian League Premier Division champions. “There were loads of positives, today, loads.” he said. “We created numerous chances and overall we were happy. We’re never happy to concede a goal but you’ve got to keep realativity. They’re an excellent side.”

Former Wings in the Folkestone team included Kevin Lokko and he drew a great save out of Welling’s goalkeeper. Another, Aaron Cosgrave, put the hosts ahead just shy of the half hour mark. He was sent clear by Joe Pigott and went round the visitors’ custodian before slotting it home.

Dean Gunner fired well over for the Wings before Liam Smith tried to place a free kick over the defensive wall and inside the post for the hosts but was off target. Ted Collins. Folkestone’s goalkeeper, then made an outstanding block from Demaray Anyadike’s shot with half time beckoning.

Ade Azeez had a shot deflected wide before making way for John Ufuah ten minutes after the restart. Gunner headed a near post Ryan Kingsford header over before Ufuah intercepted a sloppy back pass and tried to curl it just inside the far post. Unfortunately for him, his radar was slightly off and it went inches past the upright.

Slightly against the run of play, Folkestone doubled their lead just before the hour mark. Alejandro Machado threaded it through and substitute Ben Mason slotted it home.

Pigott was then played through by Donell Thomas and Welling’s goalkeeper made a great save as the striker tried to slide it home then Cosgrave shot wide.

Fifteen minutes remained when Mackenzie Foley replaced Welling’s trialist goalkeeper to get his first taste of the action since their first pre-season friendly at the start of July.

In the closing minutes, a Folkestone trialist, donning a shirt with no number, netted to no avail as he had gone to soon and was caught offside. Fumnaya Shomotun then had a late chance for Welling after good work down the left and Collins made a smart save to ensure his clean sheet.

“We were slow to start.” said Maxwell. “Slow to start because many players were very late in getting here. It looked like that to be honest. We found ourselves a goal down and we (only) really got playing with fifteen minutes left of the first half. We had two great chances and the score-line could have been very different. We started the second half well, I was really pleased with the second half overall. I was a bit agitated that the players couldn’t get here on time but performance wise, I was pleased.”

Now that pre-season is over, Maxwell is ready to start the league campaign. He said “Everything’s in the preparation. We’ve prepared well. We’re ready to go but we never take our eye off the ball. It was a tough pre season but what’s the point in having an easy one.

“We’ve had good tests, good games, I’ve seen the boys under pressure, I’ve seen them against teams in higher divisions and I’ve been pleased with the majority of what I’ve seen in every game. I’m really looking forward to getting to PVR. I’m looking forward to seeing the fans, I know the players are, We know what that place can be and I want to really focus on trying to get that.”

Continuing on the Welling supporters, there was a good contingent at Folkestone. “They are unbelievable travelling fans.” Maxwell said “We thank them because it was really hard to get here today. They’ve made a big effort, the boys are aware of it, and we appreciate it.”

Folkestone Invicta: Collins; Fielding, Lokko (Mason 46), Smith; Quick (Machado 75), Woodyard. Kedwell (Strouts 75), Young (Simmons 75): Thomas (Orji 84); Pigott (Trialist 70), Cosgrave (Francis 82). Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: Cosgrave (28), Mason (58)
Yellow cards: None

Welling United: Trialist (Foley 75), Ramsay (Otseh-Taiwo 46), Majoyegbe, Gunner (Trialist 70), Arthur (Reeve 67); Miller-Rodney (Reynolds 62): Anyadike, Blackman (El-Mogharbel 59), Bennett (Shomotun 59); Kingsford; Azeez (Ufuah 55). Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: None
Yellow cards: None

Referee: Nick Dunn
Assistant Referees: Samuel Girt and Callum Moore
Fourth Official: Harrison Clark