Folkestone Invicta striker Jake Hutchinson sets sights on facing Torquay United away ahead of club’s inaugural National League South season; Midfielder Alejandro Machado club’s first signing

Striker Jake Hutchinson has his sights set on facing one club in particular ahead of Folkestone’s first-ever National League South season.

Hutchinson has already got plenty of Step 2 experience as Jay Saunders’ title-winning Isthmian Premier team look to make their mark in the division.

But the prospect of playing Torquay is one that particularly excites Hutchinson after they missed out on National League promotion with a 3-2 play-off final extra-time defeat against Hornchurch.

“I’m already looking forward to next season,” said Hutchinson.

“You look at who you could be playing next year and the big away games that are maybe coming up now, coming into that league. Obviously, I have played in that league before.

“But I always look at Torquay as one of the big away games in that league - and it’s one I have never done.

“I played that league for two seasons with Torquay in it and never actually have been able to play Torquay away. I look at that one as a big away game.

“Obviously, there’s the likes of Dorking, they get big numbers, and Dagenham & Redbridge. They’re some big teams in that league.

“It gives you a bit of a buzz, looking forward to fixture day.”

Another opponent that Folkestone fans will be particularly excited to come up against will be fierce rivals Dover.

The teams met last year albeit only for a pre-season friendly - Invicta edged to a 4-3 victory at Crabble - but there will be much more on the line when they clash for league points.

While few remain at Invicta from the league encounters between them during the 2024/25 Isthmian Premier campaign, vice-captain Dean Rance has already made it clear to the squad what sort of crowd the derbies will attract.

Hutchinson said: “We did it in pre-season. Even for a