Folkestone Invicta marked their debut in the National League South with a commanding 5-1 victory over Walton & Hersham, the Southern League Premier Division South champions, on Saturday. Captain Kevin Lokko was the standout player, netting a hat-trick—all with headers—to spearhead the home side’s win.

Lokko set the tone early, opening the scoring in the eighth minute by rising highest to head in a cross from Harvey Kedwell. The hosts doubled their lead in the 24th minute when Donell Thomas allowed an Alex Woodyard pass to run through, enabling debutant Aaron Cosgrave to score on the rebound. The visitors’ defense suffered another blow just before halftime, as an attempted clearance by Walton & Hersham captain Sam German deflected off Joe Pigott into the net, making it 3-0.

Folkestone Invicta extended their advantage shortly after the break. Kedwell once again provided an assist from the left flank, which Lokko met with a powerful header at the far post in the 49th minute. Walton & Hersham managed a lifeline in the 64th minute when Marcus Sablier surged down the right wing and supplied Junior Dixon, who successfully converted.

However, any hopes of a comeback were extinguished deep into stoppage time. Lokko completed his hat-trick by heading in a corner taken by substitute Josh Strouts, sealing a comprehensive victory for the home side.

The result highlights Folkestone Invicta’s seamless adaptation to the higher level of competition, with captain Lokko’s aerial dominance and contributions from new signing Cosgrave providing a solid foundation for Jay Saunders’ squad in their National League South campaign. Walton & Hersham, despite their experience as Southern League champions, struggled to contain the pace and precision of their opponents but found some consolation with Dixon’s strike.