Excitement building for Folkestone Invicta boss Jay Saunders as Cheriton Road club learn fixtures for inaugural National League South season

Excitement is building for Folkestone manager Jay Saunders ahead of the new season.

Invicta have learned their National League South fixtures for an inaugural campaign in the division, with the big kick-off just over three weeks away.

It appears to be a challenging start on paper for Saunders’ side, who welcome Walton & Hersham on Saturday, August 8, followed by successive derby trips to Ebbsfleet (August 15) and Maidstone (August 18).

But he’s far from overawed by some of the early-season tests that await last term’s title-winning Isthmian Premier team.

“When I looked at it, I couldn’t wait to get going, to be honest,” said Saunders. “It’s why we wanted to play in this league.

“There are going to be no easy games.

"No disrespect to Isthmian Premier but there were some games where, if you were half-decent, you felt you would be okay. It’s part of why we only lost four games all year.

“In this league, there are some really good teams. We have got a couple of early Kent derbies in Ebbsfleet and Maidstone.

"It’s a shame that the league has put down so many Kent derbies on Tuesday nights.

“The bonus for us is having Dover on Boxing Day at home. There will be a really good crowd for that one. You can look at it and say ‘it’s a really tough start’ - but what isn’t?

“It’s a tough league so we have got to plan for tough fixtures. We will be an unknown for a lot of teams.

“I’m sure we will be prepared and ready to go.”

Like Folkestone, opening-day visitors Walton & Hersham are planning for a maiden National League South season.

They do so under new boss Kevin James, who penned a three-year contract to replace Billy Rowley last month.

Saunders added: “It’s always nice to start at home.

“Walton & Hersham are coming up, as well,