The hype of last season’s visit by old rivals Leatherhead will be much lower, though the contest could be harder when the Tanners take on Invicta at the Fullicks Stadium tonight.
Almost 13 months ago, ex-Premier League star and TV personality Jimmy Bullard’s first game in football management attracted national media attention when his new Leatherhead side took the lead but were pegged back by a late equaliser from former Leatherhead player, Ian Draycott to earn Invicta a 1-1 draw.
Rivalry between these two clubs goes back a long way and includes the memorable Ryman South Play-Off Final at the end of the 2013/14 season which Leatherhead eventually won on penalties to gain promotion after the match ended 1-1.
Managing the visitors that day was former Fisher Athletic player Richard Brady, now the club chairman, who also enjoyed some success when in charge at Sittingbourne.
His appointment of Deal’s own Sammy Moore to take over what has often proved a real hot-seat at Fetcham Grove came somewhat out of left field in some peoples estimation, but the 30-year-old clearly has a future in management, though a long way from hanging up his boots just yet.
And after a career that includes Football League experience with Ipswich Town, Leyton Orient and AFC Wimbledon as well as a couple of spells at our National League neighbours Dover Athletic, Moore is by no means at stranger to Cheriton Road for a different reason, as he is also a football coach, using the Three Hills Centre as his base.
“I often see him around to have a quick chat to” said Invicta boss Neil Cugley. “I even tried to persuade him to join us earlier this year, but he’s doing pretty well so far and has brought in some really good players.
That includes three other AFC Wimbledon team-mates in well-travelled striker Jack Midson (now also assistant manager), and midfielders Lee Minshull and Tom Beere, the most recent acquisition from Tonbridge Angels.
All three have considerable Football League experience and have also been around the non-league game for some time.
“Midson, Moore and Minshull are all still Conference (National League) players” said Folkestone boss Cugley. “It’s never easy against Leatherhead and we’re expecting a good, lively game.”
While Folkestone went out of the FA Cup at the weekend, player-manager Moore and the prolific 34-year-old former Braintree striker Midson got the goal as Leatherhead beat Margate 2-1 at Hartsdown to continue the Surrey club’s record of FA Cup success and earn a home tie against either Bostik Premier leaders Billericay or National North Brackley Town.
Invicta will be stronger than at the weekend with Josh Vincent having served his one match suspension while Ryan Cooper was cup-tied.
Folkestone, who need to bounce back to form after league defeats at Merstham and Met Police plus Saturday’s cup loss at Slough, start the day 17th in the table, three points behind tonight’s visitors, who have, though, played one game more.