Ramsgate manager Lee Martin describes Kent derby with Isthmian Premier leaders Folkestone Invicta as a free hit and discusses the comings and goings at Southwood

Lee Martin says Ramsgate’s home game against runaway league leaders Folkestone is a free hit.

Invicta visit Southwood this Saturday (3pm) on a run of 11 successive wins at the top of the Isthmian Premier.

Jay Saunders’ men are 11 points clear in the pursuit of National League South football, while mid-table Rams are evolving as Martin, who succeeded Ben Smith last month, puts his stamp on the team.

“It’s a free hit as far as we’re concerned,” said Rams boss Martin, whose side drew 0-0 at Dulwich last weekend.

“We’ve got nothing to lose and we should be going into it, saying, ‘let’s throw some punches and see if we land’.

“It’s a good game over the festive period that the players should be looking forward to because we definitely are as a management team.

“Both teams play the same system, both play with that idea of being solid first.

“They are the pinnacle in terms of what we should be looking towards, that’s definitely what we aspire to be, and they’ve proven the system they have there works if played into and if you get the right profile.

“Credit to Jay, we know how good he is as a manager, he’s been around a long time and knows a lot of people in terms of recruitment to fit the system, so it’ll be a difficult game.

“I said to the boys after the Dulwich game, as long as you go out there and give me your all, that’s enough for me.

“If we fall short on a little bit of quality, so be it, that’s down to me to try and adapt and to get certain players through the door with that quality.

“From a coaching perspective, it’s a good test to see how far we’ve come because we’ve been relatively good at home.”

Ramsgate had a busy end to last week with comings and goings, headed by the departure of record goalscorer Joe Taylor for