BIG CROWD EXPECTED FOR DERBY AT MAIDSTONE

Invicta look sure to be well supported on their first visit to the Gallagher Stadium when they take on league leaders Maidstone United on Tuesday.

This is a fixture that has twice been postponed, initially in December, because of the Stones involvement in the FA Trophy, and then, again earlier this year when heavy snow ruled out playing on United’s ‘all-weather’ surface.

Manager Neil Cugley has ordered his side to report earlier in order to have at least some time getting used to the 3G artificial surface which surely must give the home side an advantage against the rest of the teams in this division.

But unfamiliarity with the conditions is unlikely to worry Invicta’s young guns who deservedly drew 2-2 with the leaders at Cheriton Road in an entertaining game a month ago.

Former Folkestone striker Stuart King was left out of the Stones side on that day, with some dispute over whether he was injured or if boss Jay Saunders had decided not to play him for his own reasons.

King – transferred at the end of November for a £5000 fee plus possible add-ons – seems to have settled down more at his new club and scored twice in the second half of their 4-0 victory away to strugglers Walton Casuals at the weekend.

Ex-Hastings hitman Ole Olorunda had put the visitors two goals up by the break before being replaced by the experienced Shaun Welford on the hour – by when when King had made it 3-0, adding his second goal (and his sixth for the club) 11 minutes from time.

Keeper Derren Ibrahim – injured in the draw at Folkestone – appears to be fit again for the promotion chasers who now lead main rivals Dulwich Hamlet by five points, though the London club have two games in hand.

In contrast, Folkestone slipped to eighth on Saturday after allowing two points to slip away to a last-kick equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Worthing.

That should not disguise the fact that Neil Cugley’s side had produced one of their best away performances of the season, but were unable to put away their chances on the day.

Assistant manager Roland Edge had one of his best games for a long, long time, and the manager may try to persuade the experienced former Gills star to turn out for the second time in four days despite one or two pains in his by no means elderly bones!

Newcomer Matt Newman looked good after coming off the bench in place of Edge for the last 25 minutes at Worthing and must be a strong contender for his first Invicta start – even if Edge is included in the starting eleven.

A big crowd looks certain – despite some minor game on TV – with a good number of Folkestone fans making the short trip up the M20.

The Supporters coach is fully booked, though many others are expected to travel by car for a fixture that has been made even more eagerly expected by the two previous postponements.