James 'Ratty' Everitt proved Invicta's saviour last night away at Leatherhead as the Seasiders came away with a 2-1 victory against a side that did the double over them last season.

It was Ratty's strike partner Simon Austin who got Folkestone off to a dream start, getting on the score sheet after only two minutes of play before Leatherhead came back to equalise with a fine strike.

Gaffer Neil Cugley remarked, “We lost to Leatherhead twice last year and it was a good win for us. It was hard and they had come back off a really good win on Saturday beating Sittingbourne 3-0 away and before that game they had won against Burgess Hill and they were going to be confident. We were obviously pleased to score early which put us in charge and then a rare mistake by Liam Friend – who has been super this season – put them back into it with a great strike to be fair.

“I thought first half we played better against the wind and played some really good football. Second half we never really got going as much as we'd like. If I'm being honest I thought it might have been drifting to a draw which still wouldn't have been too bad a result and I was thinking about making a couple of changes. But then an absolutely brilliant move involving seven or eight passes saw Austo put Ratty in and he took his goal well. After that I don't think they looked like scoring.”

The younger of the Everitt brothers has got his fair share of goals already this season and in the absence of Jimmy Dryden (ankle injury) has been partnered with Simon Austin in attack.

A selection headache for the manager when Invicta's record goal scorer returns? “That's not a headache, that's a pleasure! To have three players of that sort of quality isn't a problem and who says you have to leave one out? I think against some sides all three could play together so it's not a problem at all.

“The goals he (Ratty) has scored, he has taken them well. He's taken a touch before firing it in and he doesn't rush. If he's going to do it week in week out he still has a lot to learn but he's improving all the time which I'm very pleased with.

“With Jimmy we know exactly what the problem is, we know what to do and it's a case of every day is a bonus as he is getting closer to fitness. You couldn't ask for a better player to be coming back; your leading goal scorer and a very accomplished player. When we get into December he should be available.”

On the injury front, after being on the receiving end of a clumsy challenge on Saturday afternoon, Jimmy Jackson passed a late fitness test to play his part against Leatherhead.

“He's not one of those to drop out, he loves his football. I spoke to him on Sunday to see how he was and he was in a bit of pain and on Tuesday morning when I told him the game was on he said he was struggling but he got through it. We thought he would only last the first half but he was involved in the second half and played quite a part in our second goal too.”

Jacko's determination to continue after an overly heavy challenge on Saturday showed when he ran over to take a corner immediately after receiving treatment. “That's when it really hurt!” Cugs commented.

Three points in Surrey came after fellow League leaders Worthing visited the Buzzlines Stadium on Saturday afternoon in an even affair which ended goalless.

“I thought a draw overall was a fair result in what wasn't a bad game. I think they showed what they're about and were quite lively up front but we didn't give them much of a chance to show that which is always pleasing against a side who have scored the most goals in the League at the moment.”

Burgess Hill are the next visitors to Cheriton Road, who won 2-0 last night at Dulwich Hamlet.

”They are one of those sides who didn't start very well but now they're starting to win games and they're a good side. They've got the lad Harper up front who has scored goals prolifically over the years, a bit like Jimmy D. He has had a few moves and has now gone back to Burgess Hill. He is a good player and one of those who we need to keep an eye out for as he's the type of forward who will get a hat trick if you're not switched on.

“They're a threat in other areas as well and they've got a big centre half who is dangerous on set pieces. It won't be an easy game and they're a side who I think won't be far off the play offs.

“In our current position the expectation from people can be high but we've got two hard games coming up with Ramsgate coming down next Tuesday as well. Any points we get will be hard earned. The players are looking forward to each game though, I know I am and we want to keep this run going. Going into December having only lost once in the League is almost unknown and it is a tremendous achievement by the players and they deserve all the credit they get.”

Cugs also announced that midfielder Billy Somerville has joined Kent League Premier side Lordswood.

“It is a situation we will be monitoring but I think he needs to be playing a higher standard of football than what our reserves are playing at. I know their (Lordswood) manager Jason Lillis very well and he will be well looked after there in the sense I think it will help his football. He's one of those who needs to be playing and we can't stop players from playing at a higher standard.”