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Folkestone upset Maidstone in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Friday night.
Isthmian Premier Invicta beat National League South Stones 2-0 with goals from Donell Thomas and Ade Yusuff either side of half-time at Chatham’s Bauvill Stadium.
Jay Saunders’ side were excellent value for their win and, if anything, it was a comfortable night’s work for the lower-league side.
They advance to Monday’s third qualifying round draw, while Maidstone, who reached the last 16 of the competition two seasons ago, make an early exit.
Folkestone controlled the opening stages of the tie, with Maidstone having to stay disciplined defensively.
United started to grow into the game and had a couple of decent chances to take the lead.
The first saw Sam Oguntayo send a free header over a Riley Court corner, then Patrick Casey fired over when well placed after Deon Moore won the knockdown from a Court cross.
Oguntayo were the bright sparks for Maidstone but Folkestone were looking the more dangerous side and moving the ball well in the opponents’ half.
Former Stones striker Joe Pigott’s 30-yard free-kick was well saved by Nathan Harness before Jay Saunders’ side took a 37th-minute lead.
Yusuff popped on the right and played a lovely pass for Thomas to run in behind the Stones defence and beat Harness with a tidy finish.
George Fowler lost his man from another Court corner shortly before half-time but headed wide.
Folkestone doubled their lead inside a minute of the second half.
Pigott did superbly to work the ball to strike partner Yusuff and he confidently beat Harness.
Maidstone won a series of corners as they searched for a quick response but they might have been in further trouble had Yusuff’s pass found Thomas, who was running in on goal.
Midway through the half, Invicta captain Kevin Lokko denied his old club with a goalline clearance, then TJ Bramble went close after wrapping his foot round the ball in the box.
United tried to force the issue but Folkestone’s back three of Lokko, Liam Smith and Josh Odeniran looked in charge, denying the visitors a clear sight on goal.
Folkestone introduced another Maidstone old boy during the second half, with Bivesh Gurung, one of the heroes of United’s run to round five two seasons ago, their latest signing.
Folkestone: Collins, Mason, McKenzie, Smith, Odeniran, Lokko, Berry (Gurung 66mins), Rance, Yusuff (Strouts 81mins), Thomas (Dolan 83mins), Pigott (Hutchinson 90+3mins). Subs not used: Jebb, Simmons, Ogunseri.
Maidstone: Harness, Sesay (Tanga 74mins), Fowler, Agbontohoma, Bramble, Oguntayo (Hamblin 82mins), Corne, Kurtaran (Gilbert 59mins), Court (Carvalho 74mins), Moore, Casey (Golding 59mins). Subs not used: Holden, Mbogba.
Referee: Benjamin McDonald.
Attendance: 1,235.