Lying in 19th spot after a dismal run of results that saw the team win just once in seven attempts, dumped out of the FA Cup by Evo-Stik League Southern - Division 1 South & West mid-tablers North Leigh and included a 6-1 thrashing at Dulwich Hamlet, Neil Cugley men have since surged up the table to lie in seventh spot. Now, from a position of trepidation just shy of the drop zone, Invicta now find themselves within touching distance of the playoff places with that last ticket to the postseason party currently in the hands of their Pink and Blue Champion Hill tormentors.

Having been well-beaten twice in the space of five days, first at Merstham 3-1 then away to Harrow Borough, where despite taking an early lead through Anthony O’Connor the side’s away day woes continued as the Boro’ bagged three goals in four first half minutes to kill the game as a contest stone dead. Anxious eyes were cast over shoulders that defeat left fans bemused at their heroes’ apparent travel sickness. Though the Fullicks Stadium remained a virtual fortress with only Needham Market victorious there, since winning at Staines Town in their opening away fixture of the season Invicta had now lost 7 out of 8 away matches in all competitions and even their point at Worthing required a last gasp equaliser from the venerable Frankie Chappell. But the tide would should turn. Though it took main marksman Ian Draycott’s stoppage time leveller to prevent Staines avenging that early season defeat, brighter days were just around the corner.

Convincing advancing in the Buildbase FA Trophy with victory away to Cheshunt, Joe Taylor adding to his tally after opening the scoring after a mere 26 seconds, a revival in league form soon followed in its wake. A portent of things to come came in a comfortable 4-0 win away to a strong Faversham Town side in the Kent Senior Cup before entertaining Canvey Island on Guy Fawkes Day. A rampant second half display saw Folkestone rack up six goals against the Gulls, five of them after the break. Frankie Chappell found the net first eight minutes before the break, but the game sparked into life after the interval as Joe Taylor, Ian Draycott, Miles Cornwell (with a double) and Carl Rook added further goals as the Islanders defensive fragilities were cruelly exposed. Yet it might have all been so different had custodian Tim Roberts not made some inspired early saves. Eerily reminiscent of Invicta’s Champion Hill humbling when Preston Edwards keeping prevented Folkestone from running up an early unassailable advantage. Both ‘keepers were named Man of the Match in those respective games.

If that score line had stirred interest anew on the Kent coast, the following Tuesday Folkestone sent a ripple of shock through their Ryman rivals as they put the kibosh on Leiston’s 14 match league unbeaten run. The 300+ mile round journey from deepest Suffolk to the far corner of the Garden of England may not have done the traveling Blues many favours but that would be unkind on the hosts who put on a composed display against the one-time runaway leaders. Though Folkestone looked to exploit any coach lag, laying siege to the visitors’ goal from the first whistle it was not until the 42nd minute they broke down the barricades. Sam Hasler bagged his maiden goal in first team colours when he rifled home an Ian Draycott cross before Jordan Wright made it 2-0 on the stroke of halftime. Leiston rallied after the interval but despite opportunities failed to make them count as Folkestone added their heads to the spikes of failed conquerors of Cheriton Road.

Things looked to be going to plan for the revenge mission at home to North Leigh in the FA Trophy as, trailing 2-0 after four minutes, the Millers stormed back to book their place in the next round. A ream start for Invicta saw North Leigh’s Matty Woodley slash a cross past his own ‘keeper before Ian Draycott headed home to put Folkestone well in command, or so it seemed. Moments before the break Lance Williams squeezed one home at the near post, the dream swiftly becoming a nightmare as George Seacole scored his third goal in the two games before setting up Williams to repeat the shock FA Cup victory with a deflected 82nd minute goal. Still defeat did not deflect Invicta from their surge up the table. Successive home wins over, first, AFC Sudbury (4-2) with Miles Cornwell grabbing a pair after the Suds had recovered from Joe Taylor’s opener to lead 2-1 at halftime then by the narrowest of margins as Sam Hasler’s top drawer 25-yard effort was enough to see off a Billericay side struggling to bed in the new recruits.

A seventh home league win of the season ensured Folkestone Invicta boasted the best home record of any team in the Ryman League Premier Division. With the away record a trifle different by comparison – one win, one draw and six defeats – last Wednesday’s night’s trip to Fetcham Grove to face Jimmy Bullard’s Jekyll and Hyde Leatherhead, might have been an acid test of Invicta true mettle. Unfortunately, Jack Frost had nipped at Fetcham Grove and the game fell afoul of a frozen pitch. The postponement meant eleven days will have passed since Folkestone last took the field in anger come kick off time Saturday.

The game takes place at the Fullicks Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, CT19 5JU. Directions can be found on the Folkestone Invicta official website by clicking here

Admission Prices:

• Adults: £10
• Students (with Valid ID): £7
• Concessions: £7
• Juniors (age 5-18): £2
• Under Fives (accompanied by a paying adult): Free