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Folkestone snap up Ashford pair

FOLKESTONE Invicta have started to make plans for next season by completing two signings, writes Richard Murrill.

Matt Bower and Paul Jones have confirmed moves from Ashford Town and manager Neil Cugley is still hoping to persuade Stuart Myall to make his loan deal permanent.

Bower, 28, previously made 19 starting appearances and a further five as a substitute for Invicta during the 2001-02 season, scoring one goal.

The versatile player started his career in local football with Bromley Green but was snapped up by Ashford Town, where he became a first-team regular during the 1998/99 season.

He subsequently joined Welling United before returning to Ashford after his first spell with Folkestone.

Striker Jones scored both goals when Ashford Town beat Invicta 2-1 at Homelands in August, 2003.

The quick frontman is a former Gillingham youth-team player who has attracted the attention of Football League scouts.

He was top goalscorer with Hastings when the Sussex club won the Dr Martens League Eastern Division during the 2001-02 season. He joined Ashford during the summer of 2003 from Welling United, for whom he had played since July, 2002. He broke his leg at the start of the 2003-04 season.