Folkestone Invicta captain and unlikely opening-day hat-trick hero Kevin Lokko on first-ever senior career treble, the goal-bonus chat put to bed by boss Jay Saunders and a Maidstone United return

Any goal-bonus chat for captain Kevin Lokko was swiftly put to bed by Folkestone manager Jay Saunders - much to the disappointment of their unlikely hat-trick hero!

Lokko led the way with three goals as Invicta cruised to a 5-1 win over fellow newly-promoted side Walton & Hersham in National League South last weekend.

The defender is already just one behind his goal tally last season, two of which came in the final two months after being offered an extra incentive by Saunders.

But it’s an agreement between the pair that has not carried into this season.

“I’m gutted!” said Lokko. “Last year, I had only scored two goals before the back-end of the season.

"The gaffer gave me an incentive to go and get myself a few goals. He said he’d give me £50. Obviously, that’s not run into this season.

“That’s the first thing he said to me after the game, ‘Unlucky, those £50s have stopped!’ But to be fair, it doesn’t really matter.

“As long as I do my job and we’re winning games, that’s what is most important.”

Lokko completed a memorable day at Cheriton Road with his third and the team’s fifth in stoppage time on another hot afternoon.

“It was a bit awkward towards the end,” the 30-year-old said. “When I got the third one, I just didn’t really know what to do!

“As you can imagine, it was my first career hat-trick so I’m over the moon with that. But more importantly, starting the season with three points is huge.

“Doing it in that fashion, as well, sends a good message to the league.”

Lokko’s admission it was a maiden senior career treble was, perhaps, the least revealing section of a wide-ranging interview.

He confirmed: “In kids football and stuff, I have.

“I have scored a few braces across my career but, usually after two goals, I