27thaug04

Cugley pleased with midweek showing

FOLKESTONE INVICTA manager Neil Cugley was full of praise for his team's performance on Tuesday night against a highly rated Leyton side, writes Stephen McCartney.

Speaking to the club's website, about the 4-0 win, he said: "The Isthmian Premier is a good league so we will face some very good sides this year, sides that will not have the budget restraints that Invicta have to cope with.

"After four games played, no team has maximum points, but we have narrowly lost against two of the top five sides (Salisbury and Yeading) and over the next nine days we face two more of the leading pack (WIndsor & Eton and Billericay Town)."

However, Cugley is grateful to the commitment shown by John Ayling.

He added: "John is still with us for the weekend and the club is really grateful to John for helping out so close to his departure to the USA.

"He had to come off 50 minutes into the Leyton game with an ankle injury but we will hope to use him during the Bank Holiday weekend."

Goalkeeper Tony Kessell faces a one-match ban for his sending off on the opening day of the season, and Cugley has brought in Danny Skinner from Nationwide South outfit Welling United on a one-match deal, and will make his debut for Saturday's trip to Harrow Borough.

However, Nineteen-year-old Ian Pullman is training with the club and their are plans the Margate player, who has been highly recommended by Paul and Mark Munday, to sign for the Westbourne Stadium club.

Folkestone, who travel to Harrow Borough on Saturday, face Windsor & Eton at home on Bank Holiday Monday.  Both games kicking off at 3pm.