Folkestone Invicta 5 Walton & Hersham 1 match report: Invicta captain Kevin Lokko scores unlikely opening-day hat-trick as Jay Saunders’ side beat fellow newly-promoted National League South club, strikers Aaron Cosgrave and Joe Pigott also net

Captain Kevin Lokko starred with an unlikely hat-trick as Folkestone Invicta beat fellow newly-promoted club Walton & Hersham to enjoy a near-perfect start to an inaugural National League South season on Saturday.

Lokko netted in the early stages of both halves while strikers Aaron Cosgrave and Joe Pigott helped ensure it was 3-0 to Jay Saunders’ side at half-time before Junior Dixon got one back for the Swans.

But it was firmly 30-year-old defender Lokko’s day and he bundled home at the death of another hot day as it ended 5-1 at Cheriton Road.

The away team had made the first opportunity when a seventh-minute corner fell to Dixon, only for his shot to be charged down - albeit that was about as good as it got on a torrid afternoon for them.

A minute later, Lokko came up with a historic Folkestone goal. Midfielders Harvey Kedwell and Donell Thomas combined before the former saw his cross get nodded beyond goalkeeper Tommy Reid by Lokko.

Invicta again went close as Sam German was in the right place at the right time to clear a goal-bound Pigott header in the 21st minute.

Three minutes later, they doubled their advantage, however, with Cosgrave able to open his competitive Invicta account. His initial effort brought a good save from Reid but he made no mistake second time around.

And it got even better for Saunders’ side as Pigott opened his account in freakish fashion in front of a 1,253-strong crowd on 38 minutes.

German was sold short. He hurriedly attempted to clear, about 40 yards from his own goal and - with Reid in no man's land - former Portsmouth player Pigott, 32, saw his deflection fly into the net.

The Swans finally threatened, No.1 Ted Collins well behind midfielder Lucas Defise’s strike towards the end of the