Folkestone 1sts vs Sutton Vallance

Folkestone Optimist 1^st XI sponsored by Jenner won their first game on their new home pitch at Chertion Road with a 3-2 victory verses Sutton Valence. In a very tight game, Folkestone took the lead with a fast break with Luke Smithard combining with Stuart Green in midfield resulting in Smithard beating the Valence goal keeper with a lifted shot. Valence hit back towards the end of the half when Folkestone were down to 10 men, from the sin-bin of Smithard, to make the scores level at the break.

Folkestone held the ball well at the back thanks to Micah Smithard, Waitt, Bristow and Parsons and it was from this maintained procession Folkestone were able to find Phil King at the back post to neatly deflect home for a 2-1 lead. This quickly became 3-1 after a solo effort from Luke Smithard, who beat the right back and centre back leaving an acute angle to rifle the ball past a dumbfounded Valence keeper.

Folkestone were unfortunate to go down to 10 men again later in the half after a disputable yellow card which meant Folkestone had to soak up a lot of pressure from the Valence forwards. Valence did get one back before the end of the game through a deflected short corner strike but when back to full strength Folkestone were able to hold the game out and could have made it 4-2 except for the miss of a penalty stroke.