Recent history has seen some particularly tight games between Maidstone and Folkestone Optimists, albeit the Stones have at best earned draws. This weekend's fixture was much the same before the final stages.

Chances were a premium in the first half, with many similarities to the MHC's 2025 opener on the road vs. Canterbury Pilgrims. As such, the half time whistle was blown at 0-0 with neither side being deserving of a lead. Cam Knight and Chris Howson had worked tirelessly to keep FOHC's main man in the middle, Tom Bean, quiet. Additionally, Matt Emery had read every trick within the prescriptive eyewear of FOHC's leading forward, Goggles.

The second half remained much the same in terms of balance, but chances for both sides began to develop as the front lines began to work out their opposite men.

FOHC took the lead through a flick from the league's top scorer only for the Stones to hit back quickly through Will Day. Day's goal continued his 100% record for the year as he remains in the lead of the first team's golden boot hunt.

Folkestone capitalised on a dominant period between the 55th and 65th minute and added three goals in relatively quick succession. Their second coming from a well worked open play maneuver, their third by way of a flick and their fourth escapes the mind but came as the Stones pushed to re-ascertain a place in the fixture - for instance, by moving to three at the back.

What turned out to be a consolation was scored by Charlie Collie in the final stages. Mark Christmas alarmingly found himself at the top of the D and struck finely towards the willing stick of Collie who deflected home smartly.

4-2 was how things finished. Folkestone left to the south coast with a deserved three points but had been made to work particularly hard for their winnings. On reflection, the Stones can be pleased with the performance but equally disappointed at the fact that another good performance against a stronger side in the league led to no reward.