Eddie Allsopp has earned praise from Folkestone boss Andy Drury.

The former Charlton, Chatham, Herne Bay and Faversham playmaker put in a man-of-the-match performance in Invicta’s 3-2 home win over Isthmian Premier basement boys Kingstonian last weekend.

He broke the deadlock with a fine early free-kick for his second club goal, having also netted in last month’s 3-2 defeat at Whitehawk.

Drury revealed Folkestone’s management team have been keen to see the 22-year-old get on the scoresheet more often.

“He has got a lot of ability,” Drury said. “We have been saying to him that he needs to score more goals.

“Eddie has done well since he came in. He has set up a few goals.

“We just need to make sure he scores, as well. But he’s a good kid and I’ve been happy with him.”

Another midfielder also on target for Invicta was Seidou Sanogo, who claimed his fourth goal for the club since he arrived in December.

It came after Chris Sessengon (hamstring) had come off in the first half, with fellow defender Jake Goodman (ill) replaced by young utility player Will Moses at half-time.

On Sanogo, 40-year-old Drury noted: “He could have had three or four on Saturday.

“He has done well but was suspended and missed three weeks, so his match fitness has come back down.

“He has four goals but he could be in double figures if he had taken all his chances!”

Invicta man-of-the-match makes team-of-the-week

Folkestone, who lost a friendly 2-1 at Sheppey last Tuesday with forward Tom Derry on target, returned to competitive action for the first time in 11 days against Kingstonian.

After Allsopp put the hosts ahead in front of a crowd of 462 at Cheriton Road, two goals for Kingstonian in eight second-half minutes put them in control - their first being scored by striker Eddie Dsane, who Drury managed at Margate.

But Sanogo levelled it up and striker David Smith made it 3-2 to the home side just after the hour mark.

Drury, serving a touchline ban as his team earned a first home victory since he took the helm, reflected: “It was a decent three points.

“I thought we did well in the first half in spells - but got punished for a sloppy start to the second half. The boys showed good character to come back and win the game.

“We had a few chances at the end. We probably should have walked away from the game winning 5-2.

“I’m pleased to get the win and pleased with some aspects of the performance.

“There’s things to work on but some of the boys haven’t played too much in the last six weeks, so it was most important to just get the three points.”

Drury is looking to add to his squad ahead of Saturday’s home game against Canvey Island and has recruited midfielder Tom Kavangh on a one-month loan from Horsham.

“We’re looking to get two or three in this week,” he revealed. “We’re a little bit light in terms of numbers at the moment.

“Gayley (defender Ian Gayle) has been out and Sess (Sessengon) will be out for a bit.

“We need two or three options to help us out in the middle of the park and maybe out wide, as well.”

But Invicta are now clear of the relegation zone and looking up the table ahead of their season run-in prior to facing Canvey Island, who are only just ahead of them.

Drury, whose side will visit relegation-threatened Cheshunt on Tuesday and Cray Wanderers next Sunday, said: “If we beat them (Canvey), we’re nearer to that 40-point mark.

“We have got a really important eight days coming up with Canvey, Cheshunt and Cray.

“Hopefully, we can get as many points out of that as possible and be safe going into the last seven games of the season.”