Up to 1,000 supporters will pack Reachfields on Boxing Day when faltering Hythe host in-form neighbours Folkestone.

Both sides started the season with play-off ambitions but while Invicta have roared into the
top-five, Hythe are reeling after five defeats in six games.

Manager Scott Porter described Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Tooting as Hythe’s worst performance since they were hammered 8-0 at Folkestone exactly two years ago.

By contrast, Invicta have only lost one of their last 10 league games and they thrashed Crawley Down 8-0 last weekend, so they go in as favourites.

But Porter said: "The form book goes out of the window. A different mentality can come into it. We’ve got nothing to lose and this game has come at the right time for us.

"I’m from Folkestone, I played for Folkestone and there’s a massive rivalry between the sides. Hopefully we get a thousand people through the gate."

His opposite number, Neil Cugley, has guided Folkestone to fifth and is determined not to let the noisy neighbours derail their promotion charge.

He said: “The Hythe games are good games and they’ve got a bit of spice to them. The way we’re playing, we’re looking forward to it.

"It’ll be a big crowd and the players enjoy these games."

Kick-off at Reachfields is at 1pm.

Full preview in the Folkestone & Hythe Express.