An early-season blow has been handed to Folkestone.

Isthmian Premier Invicta began their campaign with an emphatic 4-0 victory at Wingate & Finchley last weekend - but they did so without Scott Heard.

The influential midfielder has been slapped with an additional four-game suspension by The FA for “abusive and/or insulting and/or improper” language he used after getting a second yellow card in March’s 2-1 home loss to Lewes.

Joint-boss Roland Edge confirmed: “Heardy has another four-game ban from last year.

“I understand The FA’s decision, I do get it, but it’s a real blow. I cannot remember how many times Heardy has been sent off in however many games he’s played.

“He’s not a bad lad but they’ve thrown the book at him.”

His absence wasn’t felt too sorely in north London, though, as frontman Ibrahim Olutade bagged a hat-trick and David Smith rounded off the win with his first competitive goal since he rejoined in the summer.

Edge said: “You cannot ask for too much more, can you?

“Pre-season, going into the first game of the season, there’s always a divide in the pace and tempo of the game. I always believe that whoever gets to that tempo quicker can nick quite a few points early on in the season.

“We spoke to the lads about that before the game. I think that the lads bought into that approach and thoroughly deserved the result.

“You don’t win the league first game of the season, you don’t lose it, but it’s all about getting momentum as fast as you can.”

Adding to Invicta’s early issues in midfield, player-coach Andy Drury came off in the first 10 minutes.

He was replaced by Will Moses, the former versatile Dover defender one of several late summer recruits, which included former Gills youngster Will Dempsey, who was an unused substitute.

Edge, in charge alongside Micheal Everitt, said: “I think we worked really hard in the summer and we’ve done really well.

“There’s people on the bench that can argue ‘Why am I not starting?’ So when these injuries do happen, we can say ‘Go on mate, make us look silly for not picking you!’

“We’re really happy with the squad.

“I know things will change but we’re happy.”

There was also a clean sheet for Joe Coleman. He’s their sole goalkeeper at present, with Pat Ohman deciding to remain in Australia.

Edge indicated they plan to stick with Coleman as their No.1 for the time being, with Enfield due to visit Cheriton Road this Saturday, with Folkestone looking to bounce back from Tuesday’s derby 3-2 defeat to Chatham.

Away forward Jamie Yila netted a winner at the death of a topsy-turvy affair after Invicta’s Ira Jackson had made it 2-2 in front of a 758-strong crowd.

That late drama came after goals from Ashley Nzala and Ben Allen had seen Chatham respond following Andre Coker’s 24th-minute opener for the hosts at Cheriton Road.

Edge said: “If Joe fulfils his potential, we will have more trouble keeping him!

“He has done well - and he’s getting better and better. We asked him in pre-season to sort his feet out because he’s 6ft8in or something.

“He’s come back a stone lighter. We like that and I think he has real potential, so we will be sticking with Joe.”

Moses, still only 20, had joined Folkestone for pre-season. He had higher-division interest but, when that didn’t work out, Edge and Everitt made their move.

“We liked him - but a lot of other clubs liked him,” Edge explained.

“The club he was trialling at wanted another week to look at him, then another week, then another week.

“But we think he has something about him - whether that’s in midfield or defence - so we’re delighted he’s joined us.”

Heard should become available for selection for the first time this season on Bank Holiday, Monday, August 28, when they host Margate.