Promoted last season, a newly put together Folkestone Mens’ 4th XI travelled to Marden for the opening league game of the new season. Jude File, Harry Rowe, Will Paine, Doug Ferguson, Tendai Nyika, Tom Swain, Charley Pepper, Nick Shread and Sam Hammond all on league debut.

After a nervous opening 10 minutes, Optimist settled down and started to dominate possession, with Williams, Pepper and Parsons dominating the midfield battles. The first short corner saw Peppers low drag flick saved off the line, but the opening goal was not far away. A flowing passing move down left was expertly finished by Jude File, his powerfully struck shot beating the keeper at the near post. 1-0 to Ops at half time.

The second half, started as the first finished. Folkestone’s tempo, movement and passing game was too much for Marden. The Folkestone press began to tell and from the resulting turnover, Williams got the telling strike from close range. 2-0. With 10 minutes left in the game Marden had nothing to lose, they threw extra men forward and scored from a rebound after a good save from Paine in the Folkestone goal. Folkestone knew they just had to keep possession and see out the last few minutes of the game, but with the last play of the game, a half stopped ball fell kindly for a Marden forward who did well to break into the D and score the latest of equalising goals.

Folkestone hearts were broken, unhappy with the draw, but they can be proud that for the majority of the game they dominated a very good Marden side. Very positive signs for the season ahead.

Man of the match: to many to mention!