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Folkestone Invicta joint-boss Micheal Everitt wants side to be even more clinical after 4-0 FA Cup victory at Hartley Wintney ahead of Isthmian Premier clash at Lewes

05:00, 06 September 2023

updated: 08:30, 06 September 2023

Joint-head coach Micheal Everitt is warning his Folkestone players they may need to be even more clinical if they are to beat Lewes.

Invicta extended their unbeaten run to three matches with a 4-0 FA Cup victory at Hartley Wintney on Saturday.

Wideman Jordan Ababio, left – bagged a brace, his first competitive goals of the season, in Folkestone’s weekend FA Cup win. Picture: Randolph File
Wideman Jordan Ababio, left – bagged a brace, his first competitive goals of the season, in Folkestone’s weekend FA Cup win. Picture: Randolph File

Isthmian Premier Folkestone haven’t exactly been goal-shy in the early stages of the season, netting 13 times in six fixtures, and they have only drawn a blank once.

But they’ll face a stern examination in Sussex against a free-flowing side, who have already collected four league points more than them, this Saturday.

Everitt said: “We know how they’re going to play, they play a lot of football.

“They’re a good side so it’s going to be tough.

“They’re unbeaten, as well, so hopefully that changes on Saturday.

Invicta winger makes team-of-the-week

“We probably will need to be more clinical if we’re going to win the game.”

There was a third successive clean sheet for Invicta against Hartley in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round as two-goal winger Jordan Ababio led the way before substitutes Andre Coker and Ira Jackson, with a penalty, added to their tally.

But Everitt reflected: “I think you can always do a bit better.

“As management, we always want perfection. You never really get perfection but we certainly were a little bit disappointed we didn’t make the right decisions sometimes in the final third.

“But we scored four and won the game. Getting through to the next round was the most important thing.”

Folkestone defender Ian Gayle could return for Saturday’s trip to Lewes. Picture: Steve Terrell
Folkestone defender Ian Gayle could return for Saturday’s trip to Lewes. Picture: Steve Terrell

Folkestone’s cup reward is a derby trip to Margate, which will come seven days after their game at Lewes.

Invicta have already beaten Reece Prestedge’s troops 2-0 in the league at Cheriton Road but Everitt certainly won’t underestimate the Thanet team.

He noted: “It’s a tough draw, a Kent derby away from home. We know we’re going to have to be at our best to get a result there.

“Form guides go out the window and I think we will see two teams go at it.”

A further £3,375 in prize money will be up for grabs after Folkestone’s win earned them £2,250.

Ababio’s strikes were the 22-year-old’s first competitive club goals, having scored five times in pre-season.

He said: “I think Jordan deserves a big pat on the back.

“He’s really listening to what we want him to do.

“He’s really working hard to make those changes to make him a better player. That’s all credit to him.

“I think he wants to learn and play at the best level he can.

“We have some young players who are getting better, Jordan and Joe [Coleman, Folkestone’s No.1] are good examples of that.”

Everitt was also pleased to see his substitutes make an impact as frontmen Coker and Jackson found the target.

It was the second consecutive game in which former Football League player Jackson, 26, has come off the bench to score.

“There’s been no sulking,” said Everitt, an unused substitute at Hartley, as was youth-team keeper George Surgeon.

“Yes, they’re probably not happy at not starting but, when called upon, they’ve done well. It’s a squad game.

“I guarantee the team that started on Saturday will not be the team that starts in four, three or even two weeks’ time.

“We always pick the team according to who we’re playing against.”

Everitt suggested defender Ian Gayle may return for the Lewes game but he won’t be rushed as he recovers from his back injury.

Invicta will host last season’s Kent Senior Cup Finalists Chatham in the First Round on Tuesday.

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