Arguably the stand-out tie in the Second Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup this weekend from a Kent perspective actually takes place on Friday night as Folkestone Invicta entertain Maidstone United at the Bauvill Stadium in Chatham with Jay Saunders looking forward to facing his former side.

Invicta have an unbeaten start to the season despite playing all their games away from Cheriton Road as a new 4G pitch is being laid, but that hasn’t stopped Jay Saunders from leading his side to fourth place in the early Isthmian Premier table, with one of only two unbeaten starts to the League campaign in the division.

That form matters little on Friday night under the Medway floodlights though as Saunders side come face-to-face with one of the manager’s former Clubs, Maidstone United. 

Speaking to KSN in the build up to game, Saunders admitted “Only down side I think is that we can’t play it at Folkestone, but,” he added, “I’m used to that now – I think I have had one game there since I took over and that was at the end of last season!” 

“I don’t want to get carried away with our start as it is just a start and nothing is won in September. Honestly, I don’t look at League tables until ten, twelve, fifteen games in when I start to have a little look!”

“What we wanted to do was to get a mentality where we turn up every week and are professional. We tried to get players in who we felt could do that and the attitude of the boys has been superb.”

“Not only are we “away” every week, we also have a completely new squad – I think last Saturday we had three lads from last year in the 16, so it has been a real turnaround and you have to give the lads real credit to have all the change and be away from home every week has been a really good return.”

“All we are trying to do is to keep the feel-good factor going so that when we do get back to Folkestone, the crowds will come along and appreciate what we are trying to do.” 

“Of course it is frustrating for us not to be able to play this game at Folkestone at this stage, and I think every manager would admit, all you want in these early draws is a team from a lower League or a big side who can pull a crowd at home!”

“Obviously, Maidstone do bring supporters so it would have been lovely to have had it on a new pitch at Folkestone, but we are used to that at the moment!” 

“It’s Chatham Friday night this week – we’ve done Ashford and Margate – so we are looking forward to it and are ready for it and hopefully it will be a good evening!”  

“People say that the FA Cup hasn’t quite got the romance that it used to have, but I think for all non-League clubs – and you just have to look at what Maidstone did a couple of years ago – it still has the magic for all those involved.”

“I think the biggest thing is that it still is a big thing for Clubs, supporters and owners… it’s a chance to try and give back and bring some money in for the Club and a bit of excitement for the supporters!” 

Saunders then updated us with news from “home” saying, “It’s coming along well. I was down there earlier in the week, and the pitch is looking good – the shock pads have started to go down this week which might be completed by Friday, and then they start laying the turf, I guess”

“It’s looking good, and we are all looking forward to being back there. It seems like a long time since we have played a game there, and a lot of our new squad have only been there to meet me when they signed and haven’t had the chance to play there in front of a crowd!2

“I’m sure though it will be worth it when it is ready!”