One goal in each half was enough for Folkestone Invicta to record a home victory against Welling United in their Isthmian League Premier Division encounter.

There was little between the two teams in the first half. Montel McKenzie launched a shot out of the ground before Donell Thomas twice arrived late and had shots deflected wide.

At the other end, Bradley Sach turned in the penalty area, but couldn’t muster any power on his shot and it was blocked away.

After thirty-five minutes, the deadlock was broken. McKenzie crossed, Jake Hutchinson flicked it on, and Thomas, once more, ghosted in to fire home.

As half time approached, Thomas had another sight at goal but fired over, then Welling’s Jack Thomas did likewise after Folkestone had struggled to clear.

Early in the second period Welling’s Zak O’Keefe crossed just out of the reach of John Ufuah before goalkeeper Mackenzie Foley turned Alex Woodyard’s free kick over acrobatically. The Invicta midfielder had another effort soon after but shot well wide before they added a crucial second goal twenty minutes in. Liam Smith played a one-two with Thomas to work his way through, and he gave Foley no chance with a fierce finish.

Jake Hutchinson shot straight at Foley and Thomas shot wide of the near post before Welling composed themselves and stemmed the flow. However, the hosts still looked the more likely to score again and Foley made a great save from McKenzie after a deflection had wrong footed him initially.

Smith looked to double his tally but thrashed well over, then in the closing minutes, substitute Ryan Kingsford miscued tamely wide.

Victory for Folkestone maintained their fourteen point advantage at the top while results elsewhere meant that although the Wings dropped one place, they remain six points adrift of safety.

Folkestone Invicta: Collins; Mason (German 87), Smith, Lokko, Odeniran; Lovatt, Woodyard (Dolan 77), McKenzie: Thomas (Lawson 80); Hutchinson (Fish 71), Pigott (Kingsford 84). Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: Thomas (35), Smith (65)

Yellow cards: Lovatt (37 foul), Mason 48 (foul)

Welling United: Foley; Majoyegbe, Gunner, Arthur O’Keefe; Thomas (El-Mogharbel 60); Howard, Reynolds (Oguntayo 87), Smith (Black 70), Ufuah (Morgan 70); Sach (Azeez 60). Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: O’Keefe (19 dissent), Majoyegbe (56 foul)

Referee: Richard Joss

Assistants: Chris Cannon and Ismail Isik

Attendance: 1,419