Micheal Everitt is excited by the potential of Folkestone’s young players - and hopes their older heads can help them progress even further.

Invicta enjoyed a productive Bank Holiday weekend, beating Kent rivals Margate 2-0 at home on Monday after a goalless Isthmian Premier draw at Hashtag United 48 hours earlier.

Goalkeeper Joe Coleman kept another clean sheet after he had been in fine form against Hashtag despite defender Ian Gayle being substituted in the first half.

Former Dagenham & Redbridge centre-back Gayle has become a key player for Invicta but was replaced by versatile ex-Dover defender Will Moses, who worked well alongside captain Callum Davies.

On Gayle, joint-boss Everitt explained: “He has got a bit of an issue with his back.

“It happened about 10 days ago. He saw someone on Monday so we’ll have a bit more information after that.

“I don’t think it’ll be too long. Obviously, he’s a big player for us but Will’s gone in there and done well.

Report: Folkestone 2-0 Margate

Invicta keeper makes team-of-the-week

“He’s one of the younger players but he’s had good exposure to this level.

“He’ll learn and progress - a bit like Joe. Will is 20, Joe is 22, Elliott Moore came on and he’s 18. Will Dempsey is 18 and Jordan Ababio has been really good this season. He’s developing and he’s only 21.

“So we’ve got a lot of younger players this year.”

There’s also plenty of experience in Invicta’s ranks.

Davies started at Gillingham and Scott Heard put in an impressive performance on his return from a four-match suspension against Margate where he played alongside player-coach Andy Drury.

Everitt added: “We have a real blend of youth and experience.

“We need to get the experience helping the youth to develop and to kick on. I think we’ll be a better side for that.”

Heard came through the full game in his first competitive action of the campaign and set up substitute Ira Jackson Jr after Harry Hudson’s own goal from a Drury corner had put Folkestone ahead.

Everitt said: “He was everywhere. I think that really helps when you have someone with Heardy’s energy and experience.

“When most of the others have played two games in three days, to have a fresh Scott Heard, that was a bonus. I thought the substitutions worked well, with Ira Jackson coming on and scoring, and Cokes [Andre Coker].

“I thought Elliott Moore did exceptionally well when he came on as well. The young lad will only get better.”

While Everitt was pleased with the triumph in front of a bumper 1,112 derby crowd, he felt his troops should have been more clinical in front of goal.

“Results breed confidence,” he noted.

“Are we at the performance levels that we want? We’re not because we need to be more clinical and cut out individual mistakes.

“But it’s definitely been a step forward.”

There’s familiar opponents as Invicta start their FA Cup journey at Hartley Wintney this Saturday in the First Qualifying Round.

The teams met in the FA Trophy in November 2021 when Ade Yusuff, now at Hornchurch, and Heard struck to defeat the Isthmian South Central club.

Everitt said: “We’ve sent someone to watch them so we’ll have a bit of information on them.

“They have actually changed a little bit. It’ll be a case of seeing what the scouting report says.

“But there’s no easy games in the FA Cup - ever. We’ll go and prepare, knowing what a hard game it’ll be.

“To be fair, we haven’t been focusing on that game. We have been focused on the two we have had and four points from them is a good Bank Holiday weekend.”

Folkestone have done well in FA competitions in recent years and, with another £2,250 up for grabs, they’ll hope to start another run in Hampshire as competition for places hots up within their squad.

Everitt admitted: “We have done well in the last few years.

“The changes on Monday definitely worked so, hopefully, we have got a squad going forward where we can change a few things.”