Folkestone Invicta manager Jay Saunders on his table-topping Isthmian Premier side as 2-1 Kent derby victory at Dartford makes it nine consecutive league wins

Boss Jay Saunders insists table-topping Folkestone aren’t feeling the pressure as their fine form continues.

Invicta, already some way clear at the Isthmian Premier summit, secured a ninth consecutive league win, beating Dartford 2-1 in a hotly-awaited Kent derby last weekend.

Folkestone will play host to Cray Valley tonight before their final fixture of the calendar year at Cheriton Road, with Canvey Island the visitors on Saturday.

Saunders said: “You get belief and confidence when you’re winning games.

"We have got an unbelievable dressing room. The lads are a fantastic group, on and off the pitch.

"They have bought into what we want to do and they have carried it out.

“Ever since we lost to Hashtag (2-1, their sole league loss so far this season), we have just gone about our jobs.

“People say ‘Oh, you’re top and there’s pressure’ - but I don’t think there is pressure. We’re enjoying what we’re doing.

“We know there’s a long way to go but the boys just enjoy playing together.”

Goals from forwards Joe Pigott and substitute Jake Hutchinson left Dartford substitute Samir Carruthers’ late free-kick a mere consolation at Princes Park.

“I was really pleased,” Saunders reflected. “We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy place to go.

“Lots of people have said ‘Oh, Dartford had a bad start to this season.’. But every game I’ve had at Dartford - whether that’s as a player or a manager - has always been a tough test.

“Ady (Pennock, manager) and Edgy (No.2 Roland Edge) have got a good side there. It was a solid away performance.

“We were disappointed to concede, although it’s an unbelievable free-kick from Carruthers. But we limited them to a few chances and we took our chances well.

“All in all, it was a good afternoon.”

Striker