Folkestone Invicta enjoyed a winning return to life in the Ryman League Division One South as goals from new striker Stuart King and central defender Liam Friend gave Neil Cugley’s side a 2-1 home win over Walton & Hersham at the Buzzlines Stadium.

Phil Williams pulled a goal back during the second half as the visitors attacked in search of an equaliser to set up a tense finish.

It was Invicta’s first home opening day winning start to a season since Nicky Dent a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Wisbech Town in 1999.

Invicta’s two goalscorers had been prominent figures in the Folkestone club’s summer business as King finally signed to spearhead the attack after being pursued last season and Friend stayed at the club after a possible deal to Ryman Premier League club Margate fell through.

King was one of four players making their starting debuts for Invicta, along with Matt Hollyoak, Luke Blewden and Ryan Moreby as the home club unveiled their new striped shirts.

And 23-year-old striker KING made an immediate impact as he opened the scoring in the 12th minute when he finished in style into the roof of the net after an excellent first touch when captain Micheal Everitt drilled the ball forward.

FRIEND made it 2-0 in the 50th minute when he looped his shot into the net at the far post when King turned provider and played the ball in from the right hand side.

Walton & Hersham attacked during the second half and pulled a goal back in the 65th minute when WILLIAMS put the ball into the net after centre half Jon Munday had struck the crossbar when Steve Betancourt played a free kick in from the right.

The free kick had been awarded for a challenge by Liam Dickson on Williams himself.

Striker Williams had scored at the Buzzlines Stadium during the 2010 Division One South play-off final when Invicta won 2-1 against a Godalming side managed by Chuck Martini, now in charge at Walton & Hersham.

King’s goal gave Invicta a great start and striking partner James Everitt had a good 17th minute shot on the turn palmed away by goalkeeper Gareth Williams and Frankie Chappell was close with a header as the ball came back in.

At the other end, Micheal Everitt blocked a volley from striker Chamal Fenelon when Graeme Purdy got clear down the right hand side and played the ball across on the half hour mark.

Purdy then shot wide across goal from just outside the penalty area four minutes later.

But it was Invicta who increased their lead at the start of the second half.

Striker Everitt then had a shot deflected at goalkeeper Williams when Blewden played the ball out to King on the right and the ball came in.

The Swans, to their credit, responded positively and began to create several chances of their own.

Williams broke down the left hand side of the penalty area and shot against the outside of the post from a tight angle in the 62nd minute.

And Williams’ goal gave the visitors plenty of time to go in search of an equaliser.

Invicta goalkeeper Jack Delo had to get down to keep out a Purdy header at the expense of a corner two minutes later and Williams was then close as the ball came across the Invicta goalmouth.

Fenelon headed across goal in the 70th minute when Betancourt played the ball in from the right as the visitors continued to go forward.

Invicta gave a first league outing to second half substitute Jason Sowle and he was involved in the 84th minute when Blewden shot wide across goal.

It was all happening in the 86th minute when the ball bounced up and hit Blewden on the hand inside the penalty area and Williams was belatedly awarded a free kick right on the edge of the Invicta box.

Fenelon blasted the subsequent set piece into the wall and Chappell blocked from substitute Reis Stanislaus as Invicta defended resolutely.

Stanislaus then played a dangerous 87th minute ball across the Invicta penalty area from the left hand side.

At the other end, King shot at goalkeeper Williams after a stoppage time combination with Josh Vincent down the right hand side. It had been a good afternoon for the new Invicta striker.

There were bookings for Invicta’s Hollyoak (bundling over big striker Fenelon after 73 minutes) and for the visitors’ Tommy Williams (heaving challenge on James Everitt after 41 minutes) and substitute Stanislaus (knocking over Dickson after 79 minutes).

Invicta had gone into the game without the suspended Darren Smith (three games and Josh Burchell (one game) and the unavailable Roland Edge (out of the country), Paul Jones (attending a wedding) and Richard Atkins (away for the weekend).

James Dryden was also an absentee, prompting speculation about his future with the club, and giving Dover Athletic player Andrew Miller a first appearance on the Invicta substitutes’ bench.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Delo, Hollyoak, Dickson, Friend, Chappell, Moreby (Sowle 75 mins), M Everitt, Blewden, J Everitt, Vincent, King. Unused subs: Miller, Jackson, Guiver, Hayward.

WALTON & HERSHAM: G Williams, Betancourt, Elliott, T Williams (Webb 51 mins), Munday, Taylor, Quashie (Pym 51 mins), Kiri, Purdy (Stanislaus 75 mins), Fenelon, P Williams. Unused subs: Nicholls, Ceesay.

Attendance: 247.