Folkestone Invicta boss Andy Drury says patience is paying off in squad rebuild as returning striker Ade Yusuff gets first home hat-trick; Ex-Dartford midfielder Luke Allen makes debut

Patience has paid off in Folkestone’s squad rebuild, manager Andy Drury has suggested.

The play-off chasing Isthmian Premier side beat Canvey Island 4-2 at home last weekend.

Striker Ade Yusuff bagged a hat-trick while midfielder Dean Rance also struck.

There was a substitute appearance for fit-again left-back Nathan Green - another to have rejoined Folkestone, like Yusuff - while ex-Dartford midfielder Luke Allen started on his debut.

“We have been building all season,” said Drury. “Sometimes, there’s players that you can’t get in the summer who become available.

“You take them and they improve the squad and, unfortunately, you have to get rid of one or two.

“Luke Allen came in on Saturday and I felt he was really good. He did everything which a good centre midfielder should do.

Invicta hat-trick hero makes team-of-the-week

"His energy was fantastic, he was anticipating balls, he was keeping the ball, getting forward and getting shots off, joining in with Ade.

“These kinds of players have added something different to us. We’ve always been building towards a team and squad that you’re really happy with.

“It’s probably taken longer than what we had hoped, but we’re pretty much there.

“I’m pretty sure, over the next year-and-a-half, the club has got a really good chance of getting promoted with this squad.”

Allen, 31, joined last week. He spent five years with the Darts before departing for Aveley last summer.

Drury said: “I’ve played against Luke and coached him a bit. That was when I was helping out Kingy (then-boss Steve King) at Dartford.

“I think everyone who was there on Saturday could see what Luke is going to bring to us.

“He’s a very good player for this level. He adds a good balance to our midfield.

“Rancey