The heavy rain caused a whole group of games locally to be postponed, so it was good to find such a high quality match on grass locally. I have also been keen to see the legend that has been Folkestone Invicta this season, having watched one of their rivals for promotion, Chatham Town, only a month ago.

The Dripping pan, home of Lewes FC of the Isthmian League, is a ground packed with character and great facilities. The ground holds 3000 with seating for 600 and boasts a number of decent food stands and beach huts!

Folkestone Invicta FC have enjoyed quite a season under the experienced Jay Saunders, having invested in their new 3G pitch as well as developing a squad which most of their competitors would be envious of. The Invicta came into today’s game in top place, with twenty one wins, five draws and just three defeats from their opening twenty nine games. Goals have flowed at a rate of well over two a game, with Jake Hutchinson (17 goals), Joe Piggott (15 goals) and Ade Yusuff (11 goals) leading the way.

In contrast the Rooks, as the home side are called, have had a season of mixed fortunes, and progressing very little from their mid table position of 2024-25. At kick off the home side sat in eleventh place, with eleven wins, four draws and twelve defeats from their opening twenty seven games. Goals haven’t been easy to come by this season for Lewes and their thirty three goals have largely come from Ryan Bernal and Charlie Walker (both 5 goals), and Devonte West (4 goals). Manager, Craig Nelson would have wanted his Lewes side to step up today and show what their potential is and create a marker in their intent for the second half of the season.

The game started with Folkestone Invicta asserting their superior passing play. However on the break, Lewes looked dangerous with the pace of Roberts and West always posing a threat. The half continued in the same manner with Lewes creating chances, whilst Invicta dominated much of the possession without making clear cut chances to score.

On 37 minutes the visitors went 0-1 ahead, to send an arrow into the hearts of home supporters, when a cross from a Donnell Thomas corner found itself eventually at the feet of Joel-Michael Odeniran, who side footed home from two yards.

Folkestone then went close on two more occasions but Lewes’ defenders weathered the storm, to ensure that at the break the teams went in separated by the single goal.

The second half opened with Lewes pressing to try and level. Folkestone Invicta came out resolute and you felt that they could step up a pace whenever required to pick Lewes off.

In the 68th minute Folkestone were two ahead when Jake Hutchinson scored, after some heavy pressure, to make it 0-2 in the rain.

Three minutes later Lewes went down the other end and saw Roberts strike the post with a curling shot, but the ball was then swept to the opposite end by Folkestone for Jake Hutchinson to score his second in five minutes, making it 0-3.

With nine minutes remaining, a rash challenge in the Lewes penalty area saw a penalty award, which Joe Piggott put home comfortably in front of the 989 fans in attendance today, to make the score an emphatic 0-4.

With three minutes of added time on the board, substitute Jonathan Wilson made it 0-5 breaking free and running the ball past the keeper to complete a comprehensive victory today.

At the finale whistle Folkestone Invicta’s fans celebrated with the players and management. Invicta look to be in the form that will ensure they seal the title this season and after today I can see why even the most doubtful of Invicta fans will be beginning to believe. Lewes had chances to make this much more difficult for the visitors than it ended up being, but have to find a way to turn the positive build up play into goals.