Cray Wanderers vs Folkestone Invicta – PSF – Tuesday 14th July, 7.45 pm – Match Preview
Pics: Natalie Stribbling, Steve Cullum
Cray Wanderers play the third of seven pre-season games this evening and a second against Kent opposition as Isthmian Premier Champions Folkestone Invicta visit Flamingo Park. Kick off: 7.45 pm: Supporters are advised that anyone who wishes to keep an eye on the World Cup Semi Final between France v Spain that this will be shown on the big screen (8 pm ko).
This also sees the second of three successive games against National South opposition with Tonbridge Angels making up the trio on Saturday 18th July.
Cray come into the game after a good workout against a strong Dover Athletic side at the weekend on a warm afternoon and a fine surface and took the lead when ex-Invicta striker Ade Yussuf got off the mark with a penalty in the eighth minute after Lateef Adaja was fouled. Dover edged in front at half time but Cray played well through the game and almost levelled through Alex Hernandez twice and Ola Ogunwamide. A number of useful trialists got a run out for the last half hour and the game was still nicely poised but Dover scored a quality third goal in the 83rd minute to win the match 3-1.
It is still early in pre-season but as the schedule moves on the shape and look of how the team will look for the opening game of the season on 8th August will come to the fore. The league fixtures will be announced on Thursday 16th July so not long to wait to plan and plot your season for the forthcoming 2026-27 season.
Folkestone Invicta already know their fixtures after securing a deserved promotion to the National South for the first time in the club’s history. Jay Saunders side had a strong and consistent season helped by a twelve game winning run from the autumn and finished with 96 points twelve points clear of Aveley and with a goal difference of +62. Cray did manage a merited 1-1 draw with Folkestone at Flamingo Park on 12th August, 2025 but would feel the wrath of an Invicta side in good form with an 1-8 defeat at Cheriton Road on 11th November.
Folkestone will start their season against another newcomer to the National South on Saturday 8th August at home to Walton & Hersham with their first away match at always highly fancied Ebbsfleet United on 15th August.
New additions to the team include defender Dan Quick (Eastbourne Borough), midfielders Alejandro Machado (Brentwood Town), Harvey Kedwell (AFC Croydon Athletic), wide player Reggie Young (Dagenham & Redbridge) and experienced striker John Akinde (Braintree Town) and Aaron Cosgrave (Ebbsfleet United). Last season’s Isthmian League top scorer Jake Hutchinson departed to join Tamworth as well as Ade Yussuf coming to the Wands. They have been able to keep a number of last season’s successful squad though, including ex-Wands full back Ike Orji.
Folkestone started pre-season with a mostly trialist/Academy side drawing 3-3 at Sutton Common Rovers on 1st July. Invicta defeated AFC Croydon 5-2 on 4th July, followed by a 2-3 defeat at Aveley on 7th July with Joe Pigott and Machado scoring. Folkestone drew 0-0 with Dartford at Cheriton Road on Saturday and after tonight finish pre-season at home to a Charlton Athletic XI on 18th July, away to Sholing a week later followed by a trip to Sutton United on 28th July and finish at home to Welling United on 1st August.
With the World Cup now down to its final four teams including England for the fourth time there is still time to get excited about the domestic bread and butter and the return of the non-league game we all love is just the perfect way to bounce off the World Cup energy and passion.
Admission tonight is £5 for all adults with U18s free on the gate or online at www.cray-wanderers.com/tickets/
There is a printed match programme available (£3) and merchandise items, hot and cold food/drinks and plenty to look forward to on a muggy July night.
