Folkestone Optimists 3rd XI made the late-night trip to Sittingbourne for a pre-season clash against Gore Court 2s, and walked away 4-2 winners after a game that had just about everything – goals, controversy, crunching tackles, and a comeback that will live long in pre-season folklore.

The setting? Westlands School, proudly advertising its values of Respect, Resilience, Aspiration, Diversity and Achievement across the walls. All very noble. By the end of the night, Folkestone had achieved plenty, showed resilience in abundance, and probably tested the respect part to its limits.

The game started brightly, with both sides going hammer and tongs. Early doors, the umpires awarded a penalty stroke to Folkestone following a save on the line by the Gore Court Skipper's neck. Given it was a friendly, skipper Phil King, declined the gift in favour of more penalty corner practice. Noble? Perhaps. Regrettable? Definitely. Two minutes later Gore Court scored from their own penalty corner 1-0. A few minutes later, 2-0. Not a good start for the Folkestone boys.

Tempers flared on both sides. Gore Court’s centre forward flew into a cynical challenge, earning what was politely called a friendly yellow card (aka a green). Folkestone had their moments – Rowe “Salah” causing problems on the baseline, Jude and Jimmins making clever runs, and midfielders Theo, Will Ball, Tom Jones and Scott Minister running and running and running. But the final product wasn’t there. 2-0 down at half time, and plenty to do.

Then came the second half.

A different team walked out.

The Optimists pressed higher, harder, hungrier, more aggressively. The breakthrough came when the youngsters combined, forcing a save, only for Will Ball to pounce and lift the rebound home for his first ever 3rd XI goal. A great finish from the young schoolboy playing just his 3rd game at this level. 2-1.

As the game restarted, a joking chorus of “We’re gonna win 3-2!” echoed around the pitch. It wasn't far off. Minutes later, Jude File, route one, latched on, and buried the chance. 2-2. Game on.

The turnaround was complete in style. A sweeping ball of beauty split the pitch wide open, finding Jack Timmins with everything still to do. Two defenders, one keeper… no problem. Timmins danced through and finished with composure. Goal of the night. 3-2 Optimists.

Phil King made sure of the win, fed by Minister, he lashed home a venomous strike between the keepers legs to put daylight between the sides. 4-2.

The Dark Arts.

Seven minutes remained. Gore Court threw everything forward, but the Folkestone defence stood tall. Sam Ireland and Tom Stone stepped in with crucial interceptions, breaking through their own midfield line, crunch after crunch. Jack Hagger and returning birthday boy Ben Shaw put in bone-rattling tackles, and the whole team dug deep. Call it Resilience. Call it Respect. Call it S**thousery if you like. Either way, the job was done.

Full Time.

Final score: Folkestone Optimists 3rd XI 4, Gore Court 2nd XI 2.
A pre-season friendly on paper, but in reality, a statement win under the lights.

Next up: the real deal. League campaign begins away at Marden 3s this Saturday. After two years chasing Folkestone’s shadow through the divisions, Marden will be desperate to prove a point. But the Optimists have shown already that they’re ready for whatever comes.

Tuesday nights under the lights, eh? What a win. What a team.