Micheal Everitt is thrilled with the strength in depth of Folkestone’s squad.

Invicta began 2023 in fine fashion as efforts by Ian Gayle, Nathan Green, Ian Draycott and top scorer Ade Yusuff saw them to a 4-0 derby success over Margate in front of a bumper crowd of 1,179 at Cheriton Road.

They are 13th in Isthmian Premier but 14 points clear of the relegation zone and looking up the table, rather than over their shoulders.

All-time record scorer Draycott came off the bench to score his 149th club goal, with utility players Matt Newman and Robbie Dolan unused substitutes.

“We have got a really good squad in there, I’ve got to say that,” noted joint-head coach Everitt.

“When you look at the bench - people like Matt Newman, Kadell Daniel, Robbie Dolan and I’m probably missing a few people out - we are lucky that we can call upon them if we need to.”

Winger Kadell Daniel returned from an ankle problem in the second half.

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With seven league games scheduled for this month, Everitt noted: “He’s come back from injury.

“It was nice to actually give him a bit of minutes but it’s going to be a challenge to get minutes into people’s legs.

“We have got a bench and we have to work out a way to keep them up to speed.”

Centre-half Gayle put Folkestone ahead against Margate inside 70 seconds - and they never looked back.

It was an aspect of their victory which particularly pleased Everitt, who has been frustrated by slow starts from his troops this term.

He said: “I hope it’s a new thing for 2023. Actually during this season we have not started games as well as we would have liked.

“We were delighted to be 1-0 up after two minutes.

"We looked a threat every time we went forward on Monday.”

This Saturday, Folkestone visit Wingate & Finchley, who won 2-0 at Potters Bar on Monday after recently bolstering their ranks.

Everitt said: “You don’t get any easy games in this league.

“I know already that they have signed a few in midweek, including Reise Allassani who was at Dulwich. He’s a good player, he has got good pedigree.

“But that big word in football - momentum - we seem to have that at the moment.

“If we can get a result, we’re not going to be too far away from the play-offs.”

Folkestone are now only six points behind fifth-placed Aveley, with a game in hand, and 11 points adrift of frontrunners Hornchurch.

“This is a league where results don’t really surprise you any more,” said Everitt, whose team are due to visit Hastings on Tuesday.

“If you drop your standards, you’re going to lose.

"To be fair to the lads, they had a fantastic attitude on Monday and put in a good performance for a good win.”

It’s hoped keeper Pat Ohman will have recovered from a knock against Herne Bay in time for Wingate while midfielder Scott Heard came off in the first half against Margate with an ankle problem.