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Goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle has become the latest to sign for rapidly-improving Folkestone.
Invicta boss Andy Drury had highlighted bringing in competition for No.1 Joe Coleman as an area where he wanted to improve his new-look Isthmian Premier squad.
And the arrival of Guyana international McKenzie-Lyle, 27, who spent last season with National League South side Welling, is a timely boost for Folkestone after Coleman sustained a dead leg in Saturday’s impressive 2-1 victory at high-fliers Billericay.
Drury, who has also signed defender Michael Kedman and brought him off the substitutes’ bench at Billericay, said: “He has got some good pedigree and has been at some good clubs.
“He should give competition to Joe.
“That’s about the only place we have not had competition in.”
Invicta manager and player in team-of-the-week
“Joe picked up a knock on Saturday,” noted Drury, who’s set to give McKenzie-Lyle his debut tonight against Cray Wanderers.
“There’s always that risk, if anything happens to Joe, we’re struggling. It was important to get that signing done.
“We have 17 players now and we’re happy with where we are. It might depend on Rancey (the one-month loan of Dean Rance).
“But apart from that, not too much will be going on.”
One-cap Trinidad and Tobago man Kedman, who only returned to the UK from a spell with AaB last October, joined the Cheriton Road club after a brief stint with Havant.
“I’ve known Keds for a few years now,” explained Drury. “I’ve got a good relationship with him.
“The opportunity came to bring him in and I jumped at it! He was playing in the top league in Denmark until October. He’s still quick but he has a lot of experience.
“I’m sure he will do well.”
A penalty from striker Dave Smith and Kane Penn’s effort were enough to send Folkestone to victory at Billericay in front of a crowd of 970.
Drury reflected: “We deserved the win, as well. I don’t think it was any fluke.
“First half, we could have gone 3-0 up. Even in the second half - they got one back - but we could have made it 3-0 before that.
“The boys defended really well for lots of the game.”
While Penn may want to ultimately be playing in midfield, it’s as a wing-back where he has shone for Invicta.
Drury said: “Kane can play either side, to be honest. He played really well on Saturday and he took his goal well.
“I think he had been playing there last year at Hastings. He wants to play in midfield but, in my opinion, the best place for him to play is either side at wing-back.
“Kane is definitely doing well at the moment.”
Having lost only twice in eight games in 2024, Drury’s team have moved themselves well clear of the relegation zone.
Drury, whose side lost 2-0 at home to leaders Hornchurch last Tuesday as defender Toby Byron was controversially dismissed, said: “We have gone to Enfield and won, and gone to Billericay and won.
“To be honest, we should have beaten Carshalton (drawing 3-3). Hornchurch defended their box really well on Tuesday - but, on another day, we could have got something and the sending-off killed us.
“We’re competing against teams up the top and beating the teams up the top.
“We have come a long way in a short space of time.”
Drury, whose team will host Potters Bar this Saturday, also explained why popular midfielder Scott Heard has departed for Isthmian South East Herne Bay.
“He has been here for a while,” the manager explained. “Sometimes, you just need a fresh challenge.
“We have had a lot of people come in and they have done well. We were leaving Heardy out and he wanted to play football. We said he could fight for his place or move on for more first-team football, and he’s decided to move on.
“You just have to do what’s best for the club. At this moment in time, we have a midfield playing well.
“But we thank Heardy for his service.”
Byron is now serving a three-match ban, although fellow defender Chris Sessegnon is expected to make his injury comeback soon.
