Folkestone Invicta 1 Farnham Town 2 match report: Jay Saunders’ side defeated at Cheriton Road for the first time since January 2025 despite striker Joe Pigott’s second-half goal

Folkestone’s unbeaten home record ended as they suffered a National League South loss to fellow newly-promoted outfit Farnham Town on Saturday.

Owen Dean blasted the visitors into a deserved half-time lead but striker Joe Pigott equalised for Invicta amid a much-improved second-performance.

But ex-Ebbsfleet striker Rakish Bingham came off the substitutes’ bench to get the game’s all-important third goal as it finished 2-1 at Cheriton Road, leaving Folkestone to taste defeat on their ground for the first time since January 2025.

The hosts had created the first chance when the visitors did well to clear wing-back Ben Mason’s dangerous right-wing delivery in the fifth minute.

But one minute later, Farnham went ahead on a warm September afternoon. Dean rifled beyond goalkeeper Ted Collins to find the top corner from distance to stun the home contingent.

It then easily could have been 2-0, too, only for 23-year-old Collins to make a double save.

He dropped a 25-yard Darryl Sanders shot but recovered well to also thwart former Ebbsfleet midfielder Billy Clifford.

Midway through the first period, away keeper Mike Eacott was called upon his first meaningful action of the afternoon when he gathered a deflected effort from defender Liam Smith.

But it was Farnham who were firmly in control at this stage and Collins, again, had to be alert to tip wide Sam Evans’ 32nd-minute cross-cum-shot. Three minutes later at the other end, Donell Thomas drilled across goal to no avail.

Shortly before half-time, the away team had the ball in the net again, only to be denied. Striker Evans crossed to Clifford but, although he stroked into the empty net, his celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

Both managers opted to make a half-time