Folkestone Invicta 0-1 Welling United

The only goal of the game, at a windy Buzzlines Stadium, arrived in the 61^st minute.

Wings central defender, Rob Geir came up from his defensive duties to glance home Michael Johnson’s left-footed curling 22-yard free-kick towards the far post, that left substitute goalkeeper Luke Stonebridge flat-footed.

By then Invicta, who escaped the drop by the skin of their teeth on the final day of last season, had replaced Charlie Mitten, who shared the goalkeepers jersey with Scott Chalmers-Stevens at rivals Margate last term.

And the 33-year-old made two stunning saves during the first half, as he kept the higher-league visitors at bay.

Mitten tipped Lloyd Blackman’s glancing header, from twelve yards, acrobatically over his crossbar after seven minutes.

And later in the half Mitten prevented Johnson scoring, palming his shot around the post, after the Welling player capitalised on poor defending from the home side and only had the keeper to beat.

Former Bromley striker Blackman impressed during his 56 minute appearance, and almost scored after 22 minutes.

But his audacious chip from an acute angle from the left-hand side was tipped onto the crossbar, and towards safety, by an alert Mitten.

Welling United were grateful to defender Steve May for preventing the home side scoring on two occasions.

Goalkeeper Jamie Turner, 27, who rejected moves to Ryman Premier League sides Tonbridge Angels (his former club), and Maidstone United during the close season, was beaten by Jimmy Corbett’s shot, but a stretching May was on hand to clear the ball off the line at the far post during the first half.

And with 23 minutes remaining, May made sure the Wings maintained their lead, when he denied substitute Damian Abel from opening his account for the new season, by clearing a rolling ball away after the former Hythe Town striker poked the ball past the advancing Turner.

Former Gillingham defenders, Charlie Glyde and Frankie Chappell both impressed on their Folkestone Invicta debuts, whilst manager Neil Cugley will decide next week whether Mitten and half-time substitute Anton Innocent, the former Dover Athletic front man, will sign for the club.

Meanwhile, Jon Main continued where he left off last season, by scoring the only goal of the game at Bayliss Avenue today.

The Tonbridge Angels striker, who netted a record breaking 44 goals last season, helped the Angels beat Kent League side Thamesmead Town in their opening warm-up.

Folkestone Invicta: Charlie Mitten (Luke Stonebridge 45), Illyan Paumbov,  Charlie Glyde (Rob Knott 72), Roy Guiver (Liam Friend 45), Frankie Chappell, Kevin Watson, Michael Everett (Ben Sly 45), Ryan Briggs (Martin Chandler 66), Ellis Remy (Anton Innocent 45), Paul Jones (Damian Abel 45), Jimmy Corbett (James Everitt 45).

Welling United: Jamie Turner (Chris May 52), Steve May, Robbie Ryan, Richard Carpenter (Mark Grads 57), Rob Geir, Tony Sinclair (Chris Moore 45), Mouko, Andy Cotterill (Sam Keevil 58), Joshua Powell (Andy Martin 45), Lloyd Blackman (Andrew Sam 56), Michael Johnson (Neil Smith 82).

Goal: Rob Geir 61

Referee: Mr Lee Venamore
Assistants: Mr Simon Finnigan & Mr Paul Kelly