29thmar05

Folkestone skipper: I want Dover to stay up

SCOTT LINDSEY wants both Folkestone Invicta and Dover Athletic to maintain their Ryman Premier League status, despite his side beating the Whites 1-0 at the Hoverspeed Stadium on Easter Monday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 32-year-old Invicta midfielder saw his side win a drab local derby thanks to record breaker Jimmy Dryden heading home the winner with six minutes remaining.

Dryden has now scored 89 career goals for Folkestone Invicta, breaking Paul Chambers' tally of 88, and its his three goals over the Easter period - he scored both in their 2-1 win over Leyton on Good Friday - that has given Neil Cugley's side a very good chance of staying up.

Lindsey wants Dover Athletic to follow suite.

"We are pleased to get the points" said the Folkestone skipper.  "I really hope that Dover get out of it as well because I used to be a player for Dover.

"I hold high respects for Clive Walker and I really hope they do get out of it because it's a big club and they shouldn't be in the lower parts of the pyramid - at least they should be staying where they are now in this league."

Since returning to the Hoverspeed Stadium from Southern League outfit Chatham Town, Walker has performed miracles at Dover.

In ten games he has collected a total of 17 points, which included five wins and two draws. 

Former managers Steve Browne, who was relived of his duties minutes after the Whites lost 2-1 to basement boys Kingstonian at the Hoverspeed Stadium on the 15th January, and Richard Langley, only collected a miserable total of 15 points between them in the club's first 27 league games.

Lindsey praised record breaker Dryden, who netted his 23rd goal of the season, to settle the apprehensive local derby.

"Jimmy's been magnificent.  What people don't realise is how hard he does work," he said.  "Allright, he has scored a lot of goals and that but the work rate he gets through outside the box is second to none.

"He's a great team player, a great lad to have around in the dressing room and he's such a nice kid.

"He's goalscoring over the last two games has been fantastic, which is when we've needed him really and he's pulled out the goods and fair play to him."

Manager Neil Cugley revealed the Cheriton Road outfit will be awarding the player a testimonial next season.  Although only 25-year-old, the prolific striker has been with the club since the age of 14.

"He's done well," said a jubilant Cugley.  "Every year he gets 20 goals, hopefully he'll get to 30 this year.  The club will give him a testimonial next year, which is thoroughly deserved.  As I say he's been with the club since 14-years-old.

It was a day for breaking records at the Hoverspeed Stadium as the crowd of 2,390 was the highest crowd in the Ryman Premier League this season.  This meant 112 more people watched this game than the Boxing Day showdown at Cheriton Road between these two clubs.

Ryman League Premier Division table (29th March 2005)