On Saturday, the Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division kicks-off and for the second successive season Folkestone’s first game sees them hosting Worthing in what will be a tough start.

Last season, when it all came to an abrupt halt, they were top of the table and looking well placed to either win the title or at least get a play-off place. Invicta were one of a number of clubs chasing hard as although we were seven points behind them, we had two games in hand.

So, expect them to be pushing for at least a Play-off place, if not more, again this season, according to Bet365 they are 4/1 favourites to lift the title, Invicta are fourth favourites at 8-1, behind Cray Wanderers (9/2) and Horsham (6/1).

Neil Cugley said “It’s a difficult start for us, Worthing are a good well managed side whose squad hasn’t changed much from last season, so I’d expect them to be challenging at the top again and I’m sure they’ll make good use of the link up they seem to have with Brighton & Hove Albion. “When last season ended early, they were top and looking favourites for promotion, so they probably lost as much as any club due to COVID-19.”

He then mentioned the decision to switch the game; “Whilst I obviously wanted to play on the opening day, I was disappointed it was switched as that has led to a bit of an imbalance with our fixtures as it means now that in February and March, when money does perhaps start getting a bit tight, we’ve only got three home games out of the nine fixtures. “Also, it means, in what are difficult times financially for a number of our supporters, our first three games are at home and in fact it could be five of the first seven.”  

Unsurprisingly their squad doesn’t appear to have changed a great deal from last season. They’ve brought in goalkeeper Roco Reeves, who has returned to the club on a season long loan from  Brighton & Hove Albion having played fifteen games for ‘The Mackerel Men’ at the start of last season, including the 2-0 defeat at the BuildKent Stadium. Those who have left are midfielder Finley Stevens who has signed for Sky Bet Championship side Brentford and forward Lloyd Dawes who has moved along the Sussex coast to South East Division Hastings United and who caused us plenty of problems in our pre-season game at the Pilot Field earlier in the season.

As far as the Invicta squad goes, we should be at full strength except for Matt Newman who is still awaiting a scan on his knee following the injury he received against Dover Athletic.

Neil was upbeat saying; “Obviously not having Matt is a blow, but I’m still confident that we’ll have a strong squad available despite Johan [Ter Horst] and Kieron [McCann] leaving recently. “We’ve played some good stuff in the pre-season games and hopefully that will continue on Saturday.”

Previous Results

In recent seasons ‘The Mackerel Men’ have held the upper hand, although last season we did the ‘double’ over them, winning 2-0 at home with goals from Jerson Dos Santos and Ira Jackson, and 1-0 away when Jackson was again on target. 

In the below, all the scores are in the Isthmian League unless stated, and Invicta’s score is shown first;