Folkestone Invicta assistant manager Lloyd Blackman looking forward to FA Trophy second-round tie against AFC Totton at Cheriton Road after much-changed side win 4-1 at Burgess Hill Town

Assistant manager Lloyd Blackman is looking forward to Folkestone’s first home cup match at Cheriton Road this season.

The Isthmian Premier high-fliers have been drawn against National League South AFC Totton on Saturday, November 15, in the FA Trophy second round.

In the Stags' maiden campaign at Step 2, they find themselves in the play-off places, sitting third. But - provided Totton don’t get promoted at the first time of asking - they could find themselves up against Jay Saunders’ side in the league next campaign.

Second-placed Folkestone also knocked out National League South sides Maidstone and Horsham on their way to the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

The Trophy tie will be Invicta’s first at Cheriton Road, too, having started to play on their new 3G pitch in recent weeks.

With ground redevelopment work still being undertaken, they played ‘home’ FA Cup ties against Sevenoaks and Maidstone at Ashford and Chatham.

Blackman said: “That’s going to be a tough challenge. Totton are having a really good season.

“But we want to test ourselves against these sides. Finally, we have got a cup game at home, which is nice.

“It’s a challenge we will be looking forward to.”

Folkestone themselves have played on their new pitch just twice.

They thrashed Lewes 6-0 last Tuesday, having made their Cheriton Road comeback in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Dulwich Hamlet three days earlier.

“We’d had one training session on it before the Dulwich game,” said Blackman.

“Obviously, the Dulwich game was mixed emotions. Being down to 10 men and being behind, to then turn it around but concede at the end, that was a bit of a blow.

“But we backed that up well with a good performance against Lewes.

“There’s been some good attendances already.