Following on from Folkestone’s 2-1 defeat at home against Worthing on Saturday, they now play Wingate & Finchley in their next two games.
Firstly, we visit their Maurice Rebak Stadium on Wednesday for an Emirates F.A. Cup First Qualifying Round tie before both teams return to the BuildKent Stadium on Saturday for a Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division game.
When last season ended Wingate & Finchley were lying third from bottom and with the reorganisation of the ‘Pyramid’ due to take place for the 2020/21 season (which will now happen at the end of this season for the 2021/22 season) they could have been relegated, however, they had a real upturn in form in the closing stages, including a 1-0 victory at the BuildKent Stadium, which had given them a real chance of avoiding the drop.
They don’t seem to have made many changes to their squad from last season as no one appears to have come in and only three have departed. Long serving goalkeeper and New Romney native Shane Gore has signed for Cheshunt, midfielder Charlie Ruff has joined Potters Bar Town, whilst striker Great Evans has gone to Leatherhead.
Like Invicta, they lost their opening fixture 2-1 at home, in their case against Bowers & Pitsea.
Previous Results
We have only had a limited number of games against Wingate & Finchley. In the below, all are in the Isthmian League and Invicta’s score is shown first.
| Season | Home | Away | Division |
| 2016/17 | 1-1 | 2-3 | Premier |
| 2017/18 | 5-0 | 1-2 | Premier |
| 2018/19 | 2-2 | 4-1 | Premier |
| 2019/20 | 0-1 | 1-1 | Premier |
And What About Us?
I spoke to Neil about the two games coming up, starting with the F.A. Cup tie, he said; “It was a disappointing draw as not only have we got team at the same level, so guaranteeing a difficult game, but midweek it isn’t the easiest place to get to, but we just have to get on with it”.
Then moving on to the two games in general he added; “They will be different games to the Worthing one as they are more direct and physical, but the different challenge will show us where we are as a team.
“Obviously we’ve had bad news about Alfie Paxman and Matt Newman concerning their injuries and both will be missed, but I know that in both the games the players will give their best, I just hope we don’t get any more injuries on Wednesday for the Saturday game!”.