Ade Yusuff is relishing having competition for places in Folkestone’s forward line.

Striker Yusuff got his season going with a goal in last weekend’s 2-0 Isthmian Premier win at Canvey Island while fellow frontman Josh Strouts came off the substitutes’ bench to score a second on 72 minutes.

Invicta boss Jay Saunders has plenty of attacking options at his disposal after a summer overhaul, which also include striker Jake Hutchinson, Donell Thomas and the recently-recruited Kweku Lucan.

Yusuff, who helped Hornchurch win the division in 2023, said: “The gaffer (Saunders) has strengthened us - and he needed to. I think that was important.

“I’ve said before there’s probably been times where I was the only option up front. The team kind of picked itself so, now, we have competition for places.

“Having to compete, I’m a natural competitor, anyway, so it’s really nice to have those players around.

“Ultimately, what we do on Tuesdays and Thursdays (at training), as well as in games on Saturday, is what picks the team. That’s why it’s really nice to have competition in the forward line.

“I’ve only really had it before at Hornchurch - and we all know what happened at Hornchurch that year.”

Folkestone’s victory against Canvey Island was a first in the league, with Lucan - who was at Dover last term - on target on his debut in last midweek’s 1-1 draw at Cray Wanderers.

“He’s electric,” said 31-year-old Yusuff. “He has so much pace and a lot of energy.

“Josh is a real handful, and me and Jake are probably a bit more in between. Kweku’s pace is going to be really valuable.

“Whether he starts or comes on, he’s always going to have an impact. Obviously, Josh came on and scored on Saturday, as well.

“They both can be really big players for us.

“We need to try and get the best out of Kweku, and then he’ll be a real asset.”

Invicta’s maiden league win this season came after back-to-back stalemates.

“It was good to get three points on the board,” said Yusuff, who was joined in Folkestone’s ranks by teenage Ebbsfleet loanee midfielder Maxx Manktelow against Canvey.

“We have had a couple of draws where the team is new but, on Saturday, we were really professional. It’s a really young team and we’re trying to build relationships.

“Looking back, I don’t tend to score until the fourth or fifth game of the season. I missed the last few games of pre-season so I’m trying to catch up.

“But I’m enjoying it and I think we can do something really good as a team this year.”

Folkestone will play their first ‘home’ match of the campaign at Margate’s Hartsdown Park this weekend, as they face St Albans, while work to install a 3G pitch at Cheriton Road is completed.

“I’ve played at Margate a few times over the years,” said dad-of-two Yusuff. “I think I’ve got quite a good record there and even scored there quite early on in my career. But it doesn’t matter to me where the ground is.

“I always back myself to score goals and Saturday will be no different.”

Folkestone visit Chatham - where Yusuff first made his mark in senior football - on Bank Holiday Monday.

Former Bracknell, Dulwich and Tonbridge goalkeeping coach Andy Smith has joined Folkestone’s backroom staff, replacing Jim Stannard, after Smith left Eastbourne Borough.

Folkestone have been handed a home draw against Isthmian South East Sevenoaks on Saturday, August 30, in the FA Cup first qualifying round.