Folkestone Invicta assistant manager Lloyd Blackman reacts to their 4-0 Isthmian Premier home victory against Wingate & Finchley

Assistant manager Lloyd Blackman highlighted table-topping Folkestone’s start as the most pleasing aspect of their Isthmian Premier home win over struggling Wingate & Finchley on Saturday.

Goals from Donell Thomas, Jake Hutchinson, Adam Lovatt and Montel McKenzie inside the first 24 minutes guided Jay Saunders’ side to a 4-0 victory, their first of 2026, as they ended a four-match winless streak.

Ironically, Invicta had scored just two first-half goals since their 4-2 triumph at Cheshunt on November 22 - in a 3-2 derby win at Ramsgate last month and a 2-1 derby triumph at Dartford two weeks before their game at Southwood.

“The start is important,” Blackman admitted. “In the last few weeks, we haven’t quite started as well as we have done. But I thought our detail today was better.

“Parky (coach Tom Parkinson) noted at half-time we still hadn’t got out of third gear, so there’s still more gears for us to go through, but it’s pleasing from the aspect that we set a high tempo and we scuppered what they’re about - because they are a decent side.

“I know they’re not in a great run of form but, if you give them too much respect, that can cause you bother. We were aggressive in our duels.

“We were able to link a few passes together, create a few opportunities and we took them, which, in the last few weeks, we probably haven’t taken as many. Once you get 4-0 up, then, obviously, the game is slightly different for the opposition.

“That’s why our start was probably the most pleasing thing.”

Folkestone - despite still sitting 14 points clear of second-placed Aveley, who have two league fixtures in hand on them - had endured a four-week wait since their last victory after 12 league wins in a row previously.

Blackman said: “It’s nice