Folkestone finally have some welcome attacking selection headaches.

Jay Saunders’ National League South side ended a seven-match winless run in all competitions with last weekend’s 2-1 home win over strugglers AFC Totton.

Having arrived on a one-month loan from National League Hornchurch, teenage forward Bobby Kelman scored his second goal in as many games as he added to playmaker Donell Thomas’ opener.

But Folkestone boss Saunders also called upon ex-Gillingham man John Akinde, making his first competitive appearance of the season, and fellow striker Joe Pigott off the substitutes’ bench on his return from illness.

“For the first time in a long time, we had strength-in-depth at the top-end of the pitch,” said Invicta No.2 Blackman.

“Bobby has started really well. As a centre-forward, he’s always looking to get a shot off as quickly as he can and it’s two in two for him now. But there is probably more to come from him.

“We have got players coming back - John being one - and his experience and profile gives us a different dimension to the way we can play.

“It’s nice to have these players back.”

Another to play for Folkestone against AFC Totton was teenage defender Zacharias Ioannides, who made his debut after he had joined on a short-term youth loan from League 1 team Luton Town.

Blackman said: “Zach is a player that we have been able to keep an eye on and our contacts told us he was available.

“There needs to be more competition in the wide areas. Technically, he’s very good and he’s very keen to learn. He had a great debut and there’s more to come from him.

“But he only trained with us on Thursday so, for him to come in and deliver a performance like he did, that was really pleasing.”

Blackman admitted Invicta’s focus was much more on substance over style as they ended their recent barren run in front of an attendance of 982 at Cheriton Road.

He said: “The result was probably more important than the performance.

“I thought there were elements of our performance that were really good.

“I thought we were the more dangerous side. Everyone kind of sensed that it was a result, which was needed.

“Hopefully, we can build some confidence and push on.”

It was wideman Reggie Young, a summer signing from divisional rivals Dagenham & Redbridge, who was involved in both of Invicta’s goals.

But Blackman said: “There is a lot more to come from Reggie.

“End-product-wise, I feel that can improve but he was certainly pleased to be involved in both of the goals on Saturday.

“We’re looking to build new relationships with the players that have come in.

“It was important, after the last two or three weeks, to get a positive result. To see Reggie be involved in both of our goals was great.

“But it was more about seeing the team get the victory.”

Folkestone met fierce rivals Dover Athletic at Cheriton Road as the midweek Kent Senior Cup clash finished 3-1 to them before they return to league matters at home this Saturday.

It’s a run that Blackman is certainly looking forward to.

“I know it’s an old cliche - ‘you want to make your home a fortress’ - but we did make it a tough place for opponents to come to last year,” Blackman said.

“We want that to be exactly the same this year.

“I know we’ve not had as many wins but, hopefully, with three home fixtures in a row, we can build on the result we got on Saturday and even the result at Weston-super-Mare [a 1-1 draw]. It’s always nice to be at home.

“The supporters have been excellent this season and, hopefully, we can make it a difficult place for teams to come.”

Next up in the league is the visit of Farnborough before Tuesday’s derby trip to Tonbridge Angels.

While it has been a fairly slow start to the season for Boro, they were 2-0 weekend winners over Dagenham & Redbridge and have former Gillingham captain Max Ehmer among their ranks.

Blackman said: “We will do our due diligence on them.

“They’re a side that have been in this league for a long time.

“As always, I’m sure it will be a very difficult and competitive National League South fixture.

“They have picked up some good results. To win 2-0 against Dagenham, that’s an excellent result for them.

“But we will make sure that we’re ready for Saturday.”

Akinde, Freddie Francis and Pierre Ikong did the damage against Dover.