Folkestone Invicta signed off for the 2024/25 season with a win over playoff-bound Cray Valley PM, making it back-to-back wins to head into a big summer at Cheriton Road.

A full coach, laid on for free by Folkestone Invicta Supporters’ Club, led a large black & amber (or red & white) contingent that headed to The Artic Stadium for Invicta’s first ever competitive visit.

1st Team Manager Jay Saunders had only 14 players to select from, with central defenders Ian Gayle and Joel-Michael Odeniran added to the injury list but Khale Da Costa returning from his loan spell at Potters Bar Town to pull on a striped shirt for the first time since December. With no recognised central defenders available, Gavin Hoyte and Frankie Morgan deputised in a back 4 consisting of 4 fullbacks.

Brad Walledge dropped to the bench with a knock picked up in the Easter Monday win over Lewes and was joined by Da Costa and goalkeeper Dan Kennedy.

Our hosts lined up with a few familiar faces, with Andre Coker amongst the substitutes, defender Crossley Lema who signed for Invicta 2 years ago without making an appearance and 19 year old goalkeeper Harrison Chamberlain on loan from Colchester United. Harrison is a Folkestone local and signed for Invicta 2022 before joining the EFL side.

Invicta kicked off the afternoon attacking down the gentle slope at Badgers Sports Club, and made that advantage count inside 3 minutes. Evans Kouassi took a quick throw on the left that caught the Cray Valley defence cold, Dan Smith controlling, turning and holding off a defender before finishing low past Chamberlain to give Invicta a flying start.

Invicta continued on the front foot in the early stages. Chamberlain imposed himself well to claim a Joe Turner free kick before bravely throwing himself on the ball to deny Dan Smith the chance to add to his tally after the forward controlled a Kouassi cross.

Henly was called into action for the first time after 19 minutes, Matthew Vigor arrowing an effort towards the top corner but Invicta’s no. 1 flew through the air to get 2 hands to it, pushing it behind for a corner.

Midway through the half Kouassi showed the class that has made him a fans’ favourite at the Alcaline Stadium this season as he left 2 Cray Valley defenders on the floor on the halfway line, racing away and forcing a good save from Chamberlain.

Vigor forced another, much simpler, save from Henly from distance shortly before the half hour mark, but with 4 minutes left in the first half it was Invicta who should have added to the scoring. Dan Smith turned provider as he raced onto a ball over the top from Amadou Kassaraté, squaring a ball to Kouassi at the back post but the winger was unable to find the net with the huge frame of Chamberlain bearing down on him. Joe Turner then had the final chance of the half, coming onto a loose ball in the box to let fly with a fierce effort that struck a defender to take it just beyond the post.

The Millers asserted more control of the match after the break, now with the slope to their advantage, but Invicta held them at bay and continued to look dangerous on the counter attack. Kouassi and Smith linked to free Turner who saw his ball across the face of goal turned behind for a corner. Turner delivered the deadball to the back post where Nathan Green rose highest to thunder his header against the crossbar.

Invicta finally double their advantage just minutes later with a fine move that may well have been a contender for Invicta TV Goal of the Season had Dan Smith not already been presented with the award on Easter Monday. Green cleared a corner as far as Kouassi who laid the ball back to the left back, who then returned it forward to Matthias Fanimo. A first time ball released Kouassi down the left flank, the winger slipping the ball through the legs of Barney Williams before racing towards the Cray Valley penalty area, squaring back to Fanimo who passed it home first time.

Jay Saunders introduced Da Costa and Walledge for a run out as our hosts looked to get themselves back into the game, but presumably with one eye on a looming trip to Dartford on Wednesday evening. Williams struck wide from distance but Invicta’s makeshift backline was holding firm.

Cray Valley finally struck back in injury time, a deep cross to the back post evading the grasp of Invicta’s substitute goalkeeper Dan Kennedy to allow Andre Coker to send a looping header into the net. Invicta were then given a scare just moments later when Cray had the ball in the net for a second time, the referee’s whistle sounding to cut the celebrations short with Marcel Barrington adjudged to to have fouled Kennedy.

The referee brought a warm afternoon to a close, Invicta’s win securing a 12th place in the Isthmian Premier Division. The large travelling support was given a warm thank you by the players and treated to both goalkeepers giving us one final slide of the season (although Dan’s was more of a roll!)

Congratulations to Horsham who were crowned Isthmian Premier Division champions, securing promotion to the National League South with a 5-1 win over Hashtag United that lifted them above Billericay Town on goal difference. Billericay and Dartford both missed out on the final day and head into the playoffs, with semi-finals taking place on Wednesday evening and the final on Bank Holiday Monday.