6thoct05

Thursday 06th October 2005

Cugley's pleased for Dryden
EXCLUSIVE

Folkestone Invicta striker James Dryden scored his 100th career goal for the club in Monday night's 1-0 win over East Thurrock United and manager Neil Cugley will settle for that against Ryman Premier League rivals Staines Town in the FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Cugley was boosted with the return of John Guest and Steve Norman in a three man defence with Adam Flanagan to remain solid at the back.

It was their fourth 1-0 win in five games and made up for their 5-0 drubbing at Harrow Borough last weekend.

Speaking about record holder Dryden, 25, Cugley said in an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk: "It was a good goal and he will be pleased as he hasn't scored many goals this year.

"Like most forwards he lives on confidence and getting to this milestone gives him a lift before Saturday's game."

Cugley, however, would like to beat Staines Town on home soil, but he's expecting a difficult game against a side unbeaten on their travels and third in the table, just two points behind leaders Hampton & Richmond Borough.

"I know Staines are a good footballing side with some good individual players but there are one of the better sides in our league so I think it will be a difficult game," warned Cugley.

Winning four out of five games 1-0 has helped Invicta climb the table to sixteenth place, but Cugley is well aware a slump in form will see his team slide down the table.

"We don't want to get sucked into it (relegation) in these early days and we want to keep out of the bottom four if we can help it," he said.

"As we've said all along, it's a strong league, everyone can beat anybody and you have to be on top of your game as it's very easy to lose."

Cugley, whose side would have banked £11,000 from their FA Cup run if his side knock out the Staines massive, revealed he won't receive a penny to add to his squad.

Although he is still missing former Ashford Town midfielder Matt Bower (knee) and Kevin Watson (thigh), Cugley added: "We all know the importance of a FA Cup run.

"We haven't budgeted for it, all the money we've raised at the moment is a bonus and is pleasing.

"We'll continue with most the squad we've got as we've always ran with a small squad at Folkestone and I don't think that will change."

Folkestone Invicta v Staines Town
FA Cup Third Qualifying Round
Saturday 8th October 2005
Kick Off 2:00pm
at Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone