Joint-boss Roland Edge admits Folkestone will have to be at their best to get a result when promotion-chasing Hornchurch come to town.

Mark Stimson’s Urchins, winners of the FA Trophy just two years ago, are in the mix to go up to National League South and sit fifth.

But Invicta are only seven points behind them in 12th - albeit having played two league games more - and last Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Brightlingsea ended their six-match unbeaten league run.

It means there’s plenty of intrigue ahead of the contest this Saturday when a bumper crowd is expected at Cheriton Road.

Edge said: “It’s a massive test.

“They’re a side packed with quality all over the pitch.

"We need to be right at it or else there’s only going to be one winner.”

Before the loss at Brightlingsea, Folkestone’s previous league defeat actually came at Hornchurch, going down 2-1 in early December despite an Ade Yusuff penalty.

Edge recalled: “The away game was really pleasing in so many ways - other than the actual result!

“We have shown, if we play to our best, we can more than match them. So we will get fresh, ready and approach the game with confidence.

“Before we went on that run, it was not looking too great.

“Now, we don’t want to be losing regularly. It’s good to get points on the board and let’s see if we can start up another run.”

Hornchurch do, however, head into the league fixture after successive league losses, in which forward Sam Higgins has converted penalties.

Strikers Ibrahim Olutade and Ira Jackson were on target for Folkestone in their defeat to Brightlingsea in front of a crowd of 254.

Edge reflected: “We have been playing well as a team and creeping up the form table.

“Brightlingsea is always a tough place to go, regardless of where they are. Myself and Mev [joint-boss Micheal Everitt] knew that.

“We didn’t get there that well. There were some traffic problems, but that was not the problem.

“I will pay them a fair bit of credit. Their new recruits are good players and they will give them a fighting chance.”

It was just Jackson’s sixth competitive goal this campaign but his third in the last eight.

“The most encouraging thing for me about Ira is he’s showing signs of the Ira we had a couple of years ago,” said Edge on the ex-Grimsby and Wealdstone man, who recently turned 26.

“The sad thing about being the one who crosses is, if they’re not put in, he [the crosser] feels he could have done more.

“His goal at the weekend was nice. Ibz is getting those sorts of goals as well.

“There’s no reason why Ira cannot join him in those areas.”

Right-back Josh Vincent missed out at Brightlingsea through what Edge said was a combination of illness and an ankle knock while midfielder Scott Heard, whom it was hoped would return, also wasn’t fit to feature.

Edge said: “Heardy’s a big loss. He brings real energy.

“Draycs [Ian Draycott] has come in and done well. Without him, we, sometimes, lack that option to change it up.

“So it’ll be good to have him back.”

Invicta are scheduled to visit Hastings for a rearranged fixture on Tuesday.