The sun was shining for the local derby as the 2s turned up with a strong line-up and one aim in mind: a win to secure 4th place. With regular skipper Hopkin handing over the captaincy to Shaw, he led the side to a convincing 5–2 victory.

The 2s looked to set the pace early, with the forwards immediately causing problems for the Ashford back line. G-Kanny, Cheeseman, Llewellyn and Rowe ran circles around their defenders, threatening goal from all angles. But the Optimists’ opener came from a short corner, as Wishart fired high to the right and into the net.

Ashford responded with a goal of their own after an initial save from Brenchly fell kindly for the visitors, who reacted quickest to bundle the ball home.

1–1 at the break, and the management team made a tactical adjustment from the bench to counter Ashford’s attacking threat.

Ball, Coombs, Fernaux, Payne and Cheap began to find more space in their passing lanes and were able to stretch the game. While the 2s’ usual slick passing game was not always on full display, the midfield unit worked tirelessly to keep control of the contest.

With Shaw and Stone working hard down the flanks, Folkestone began to find a way to break the deadlock. Once again, it came from a short corner — a slip to Cheap, who drilled the ball hard through the keeper’s legs.

The defensive line worked brilliantly to cover for one another as the Blues continued to press. Vincent, Bristow and Crookston all produced key tackles at crucial moments.

Penalty corners proved to be the route to goal for Folkestone, as Wishart struck again high to the right for their second of the match.

As the visitors fought to get back into the game, the contest became increasingly physical, with both sides seeing cards from the umpires.

Despite Ashford’s best efforts, they were only able to find the net once more, as the ever-reliable Brenchly denied a number of Ashford chances from open play and from corners.

Folkestone, keen to put the game beyond doubt, then found Cheeseman in front of goal. He finished well against the very same side he made his debut against earlier in the season.

In the closing stages, Folkestone won another penalty corner, giving Wishart the chance to complete his hat-trick. With a wide injection, and electing to take the ball first time without the usual trap from Vincent, Wishart caught the keeper off guard as their strike crashed into the top of the backboard to make it 5–2.

Next up, the road trip to Eastbourne. Off the back of three home wins, the boys in blue will be looking to take that momentum with them and put in another strong performance against the second-placed side — a team who have only been beaten once this season.