Folkestone are beginning to see the best of Ibrahim Olutade, according to joint-head coach Micheal Everitt.

Striker Olutade bagged a brace in Invicta’s 3-2 win over Isthmian Premier basement boys Corinthian-Casuals at Cheriton Road last weekend in front of a crowd of 778.

They were three goals ahead before the visitors netted twice towards the end to set up a tense finale.

Olutade’s double moved the former Tonbridge and Maidstone man, 24, to 14 goals this campaign before he added another to his tally in Tuesday's 3-0 home win over Enfield.

Everitt said: “I was actually speaking to Ibz before the game [on Saturday] and saying all the things he has been doing well and also what he still needs to improve.

“In the last three or four years, he has been at clubs where he doesn’t always start.

“We’re starting to see the best parts of his game. I was delighted to see him get two goals on Saturday because maybe he deserved better in the previous two games.

“He’s such a nice lad. We hope we can continue to develop him.”

Olutade took centre stage against Corinthian-Casuals after defender Ian Gayle had broken the deadlock and, after the recent departure of top scorer Ade Yusuff to Hornchurch, there’s an even greater emphasis on Invicta to share the goals around. On-loan Tonbridge hitman Louis Collins and fellow forward Ira Jackson also were on the scoresheet in midweek.

Everitt said: “If you look at the ‘For’ column, we’re second.

“If you can share it around, then that’s even better.

“But as long as we win, I don’t care who scores, to be honest. Pat [Ohman, goalkeeper] can score!”

Folkestone were, though, certainly given a scare late on with a quickfire double from Corinthian-Casuals before they just about held on.

But Everitt knows they may come unstuck next time if they switch off at the end again.

“The week before, Bowers & Pitsea were 3-0 up at Wingate on 81 minutes and lost 4-3,” he noted.

“Football has a habit of kicking you where it hurts if you switch off but, thankfully, we held on this time.

“But we cannot give silly goals against stronger sides, no disrespect to Corinthian-Casuals.”

Invicta sit 10th ahead of Saturday’s trip to Potters Bar but Everitt thinks any of the top 12 could yet get on a run and finish in the play-off positions.

He said: “What I would say is it’s a very competitive league. If you went from the top 12, anyone can get into the play-offs.

“There’s a lot of football to be played - there’s about a quarter of the season left. We’re trying to push into the play-offs but nobody is going to give you it.

“It’s going to be really competitive and a lot of the teams have to play each other, so there’s plenty of points to be dropped.”

Defender Josh Vincent had come off the bench in their past three fixtures, including last Wednesday’s goalless draw away to Cray Wanderers, on his return from an injury lay-off before he started against Enfield.

“JV is a great player for us,” said Everitt.

“He’s someone who is really important so having him back is good.

“JV is someone who chips in with goals, as well. He’s that sort of lad.”