FA Trophy
Saturday 14 November, kickoff 15:00
A Kent derby with a place in the next round of the FA Trophy on the line — it doesn’t get much better than that for non-league football fans in the county. On Saturday 14 November, kick-off 3pm, Folkestone Invicta play host to Cray Wanderers in what promises to be a fiercely contested local rivalry match. With both clubs well acquainted with one another and recent history between them anything but predictable, the atmosphere at Folkestone’s ground is set to crackle with local pride and genuine competitive edge.
The form guide
Cray Wanderers arrive at this tie having built genuine momentum in this season’s FA Trophy. Across their two ties in the competition so far, they have won both, recording a perfect 100% form rating. Defensively, they have been particularly impressive, posting a 92% defensive rating in those FA Trophy outings — a figure that underlines a side well-organised and difficult to break down. Their attacking output has been more modest, reflected in a 15% attack rating, suggesting they have been winning games through solidity and efficiency rather than free-flowing football. For N. Smith’s side, the challenge will be to maintain that defensive discipline while finding a way to unlock a Folkestone team playing on home turf.
Folkestone Invicta, meanwhile, have no FA Trophy form to speak of this season ahead of this tie, meaning there is a genuine unknown quality about how N. Cugley’s side will approach the competition. That blank slate cuts both ways — Cray cannot draw on any recent cup data to plan against them, but equally Invicta themselves head into the match without the rhythm and confidence that a run of cup results can provide. Home advantage, and the weight of local expectation, may prove to be their most valuable assets.
The head-to-head record
| Date | Competition | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Mar 2024 | Non League Premier – Isthmian | Cray Wanderers | 0-1 | Folkestone Invicta |
| 9 Nov 2024 | Non League Premier – Isthmian | Folkestone Invicta | 1-0 | Cray Wanderers |
| 22 Feb 2025 | Non League Premier – Isthmian | Cray Wanderers | 3-2 | Folkestone Invicta |
| 12 Aug 2025 | Non League Premier – Isthmian | Cray Wanderers | 1-1 | Folkestone Invicta |
| 11 Nov 2025 | Non League Premier – Isthmian | Folkestone Invicta | 8-1 | Cray Wanderers |
The recent history between these two clubs makes for compelling reading. The most recent meeting, on 11 November 2025, produced a remarkable result as Folkestone Invicta ran out 8-1 winners — a scoreline that will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it. Before that, the sides met on 12 August 2025 and shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Go back a little further and Cray Wanderers claimed a 3-2 victory on 22 February 2025, before Folkestone recorded a narrow 1-0 win on 9 November 2024. The fifth most recent meeting, on 24 March 2024, also went Folkestone’s way, with a 1-0 victory at Cray’s ground.
The head-to-head picture is a mixed one, with both sides having tasted victory in recent encounters, though that extraordinary 8-1 result will inevitably loom large over Saturday’s fixture. Whether Cray can put that heavy defeat firmly behind them and impose their FA Trophy form on proceedings remains the central question heading into the weekend.
The men in the dugout
Folkestone Invicta
Cray WanderersFolkestone Invicta are managed by N. Cugley, who will be looking to use home advantage to guide his side into the next stage of the competition. With the backing of a home crowd in a local derby, Cugley will be hoping his players rise to the occasion and produce a performance worthy of that stunning recent result against the same opposition.
Cray Wanderers boss N. Smith faces the task of lifting his players after that heavy defeat and channelling the positive energy from their unbeaten FA Trophy run this season. Smith will take confidence from the defensive solidity his side has shown in the competition and will be looking for a measured, disciplined approach to frustrate the hosts.
Players to watch
No standout individual scorers have been identified from either side heading into this fixture, which means the match could well be decided by collective effort, team shape, and which side handles the occasion better. In a Kent derby of this nature, leaders on the pitch — those who set the tempo and drive their teammates forward — often prove the difference. Supporters from both clubs will be watching closely to see who steps up when it matters most.
The prediction
Bookmaker advice: Combo Double chance : Folkestone Invicta or draw and -3.5 goals
The prediction engine points to a closely fought affair, assigning a 45% probability to a home win and an equal 45% to a draw, with Cray Wanderers given just a 10% chance of leaving with the victory. The recommended outcome is a double chance covering Folkestone Invicta or a draw, combined with under 3.5 goals — a nod to Cray’s strong defensive record in this season’s FA Trophy and the likelihood that this derby will be a tighter, more cagey contest than that 8-1 scoreline might suggest. Folkestone’s home advantage and recent dominance in the head-to-head are significant factors, but Cray’s cup form cannot be dismissed. Expect a hard-fought, low-scoring contest, with Folkestone Invicta edging it — though nothing about this rivalry suggests it will be straightforward.
Preview data via api-football. Form, head-to-head, standings, manager and prediction figures sourced live at the time of compilation; squad and team-news availability subject to last-minute change.