Folkestone Invicta boss Andy Drury on an eventful start at the club for Amadou Kassarate; Midfielder sent off in debut defeat but then scores in 2-1 Isthmian Premier victory at Hastings United

Amadou Kassarate delivered the perfect response for Folkestone after a debut to forget.

The former Welling United and Bishop’s Stortford midfielder netted for Invicta as they earned a 2-1 Isthmian Premier victory at Hastings on Bank Holiday Monday.

That came after the 28-year-old had been controversially sent off in the first half of last weekend’s 1-0 home loss to Cray Valley. Fellow midfielder Dean Rance was also given his marching orders shortly after half-time.

“Amadou is a really nice lad and a very honest player,” said Folkestone manager Andy Drury, who expects to be without Kassarate for Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Ramsgate.

“He’s someone that will break up play. With Jack Jebb out injured, we needed another body in there. I think Amadou will do well for us.

“He offers the physicality that I felt we were lacking in a couple of games so far.

“Amadou apologised after Saturday and I just said ‘Just go and perform on Monday’ and, to be fair, he did that.”

Kassarate’s bow at Cheriton Road lasted 35 minutes in front of a 780-strong crowd as he was booked twice in quick succession.

Drury said: “He was a bit unlucky on his debut.

“They were two really cheap yellow cards. Normally, a lot of referees would give you a bit of a chance with one of those ones.

“Dean Rance got his second yellow and was sent off for literally appealing a decision - there wasn’t any swearing or anything like that.

“I didn’t really know that was in the rules! So, the two red cards were very questionable.”

Drury felt Folkestone dominated in front of a crowd of 1,751 at The Pilot Field.

Striker Dan Smith’s second-half strike added to Kassarate’s early opening goal to leave a penalty by ex-Dartford loan forward Davide Rodari for the hosts in vain.

“We