Chatham Midfielder Jordy Robins Celebrates 2-1 Derby Victory Over Folkestone Invicta

Chatham's Strong Start Secures Derby Victory

Midfielder Jordy Robins highlighted the importance of a strong start in Chatham's Isthmian Premier derby win against leaders Folkestone on Saturday. The victory came after a difficult end to 2025, with back-to-back defeats. Teenage forward Sam Sene-Richardson opened the scoring within the first 20 minutes, setting Chatham on the path to a 2-1 win. Midfielder Kian Moynes added a second goal, while home defender Ben Mason's injury-time goal was little more than a consolation.

Chatham had previously struggled with early conceding, as seen in their 2-1 home loss to Dartford just seven days prior. Robins emphasized the importance of avoiding a similar scenario this time around.

“It was a bit of quality from Sam,” said Robins, who came off the substitutes’ bench in last midweek’s 1-0 Velocity Cup fourth-round exit at Isthmian South East Crowborough, on their opening goal. “Something we focused on today was having a fast start. Last week, we came out of the blocks a little bit too slow and it cost us, and we found ourselves 2-0 down early. So, we wanted to make sure we were really solid at the start, did the basics well and made sure we had a lot of intensity which, luckily enough, we did.”

Despite Invicta showing more brightness after the restart, Moynes extended Chatham's lead when he scored following a parry by keeper Ted Collins from an Australian wideman Matty MacArthur's left-wing cross.

Robins reflected: “You saw in the last five minutes, with the onslaught, what happens when it became a one-goal game, so we knew getting the second goal was going to be important. Once we got that opportunity, we were able to take that chance and give ourselves a bit of a safety blanket - at least until the 93rd minute!”

The result helped close the gap between Chatham and the league leaders, Folkestone, although the Medway outfit still trails by 14 points, despite having a match in hand. While there is much work to be done for Kevin Hake’s team to create any kind of title race, the Chatham supporters, who contributed to the 2,166 crowd on a cold day, returned home in good spirits.

Robins, one of Chatham’s longest-serving players, expressed his satisfaction with the performance. “We’re really pleased with the result. I think it was a proper team performance. If you were to go through the team, I don’t think many players - if any - had a bad game. Everyone was up for it with our intensity, on and off the ball, and I think we matched that with good quality. Maybe, that’s what has been missing over the last couple of weeks. We had that cutting edge so I’m really proud of the boys and pleased with that performance.”

Chatham's derby triumph at Folkestone also served as revenge for a 2-1 defeat they suffered in late August when the teams met at the Bauvill Stadium. “It was a fairly even game the last time we played them,” Robins recalled. “We weren’t at our best - and got punished where there were a few errors and things like that. We knew this was going to be close. They’re very well set-up and have great players all over the pitch. We know what they’re going to do because they’re a physical team with really good quality. We have got to respect that but we’re confident as a group.”

“We have got a really good team spirit. Even though the last result wasn’t great, we were never going to let that get in the way with what we’re trying to do. We know we can compete with the best in the league, which Folkestone are - they have proved that - and we can take that and move on.”

Chatham will now host National League leaders Carlisle United in a crucial FA Trophy fourth-round tie next weekend.