Kentish Football 
Cugley: A lot of pride is at stake against Margate
Sunday 16th April 2006
Only two seasons ago there was a two league gap between Margate and Folkestone but Easter Monday sees Margate come to Cheriton Road for their third battle of the season after Margate took the spoils in the Kent Senior Cup quarter final game in February and Walid Matata sealed a late equaliser in the league game at Hartsdown Park, writes Andy Bown & Tom Marchant – www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk
Margate's decline has been stark as two successive relegations has created the first pair of league games since Folkestone came up from the Kent League and much of this decline has been due to the effects of administration and the limiting factors of not having a ground in the past few years before this season.
Folkestone go into tomorrow's game already assured of finishing above Margate and it proves to be an interesting battle as new boss Rob Trott takes charge of his first derby aiming to continue their good recent form.
Chris Kinnear's sacking was bought about after a 1-1 draw at home to Windsor and Eton but it was five successive defeats before that sealed the sacking and bought Trott in charge.
The Folkestone boss had some sympathy for his former counterpart and gave his thoughts on the sacking: "I thought it was a bit harsh because he's been there and done so well for them in the past, he got them to the Conference and kept them there until their financial problems.”
Neil Cugley added: “I suppose once you start having the kind of money they allegedly have then the team has to be successful and the manager is accountable for that.
"Sometimes it's nice to have that kind of money to see if you could be successful but that won't ever happen at Folkestone. A lot of our success is done from hard work and team spirit and it's held us well this year."
Saturday's 0-0 home draw against inform Worthing and last week's 1-0 win away at play-off certainties Hampton has undoubtedly given Trott's side more confidence and means that tomorrow's game will be tough for Neil Cugley's side.
Cugley added: "I thought when we played them earlier on in the season I didn't think they were that good but when we played them again in the Kent Senior Cup they were a lot better and they've got a very experienced side now.
"They've got the two lads up front, (Danny) Hockton and (Berti) Brayley, two very good players. They've got (Lee) Protheroe from Gravesend and (John) Keister and Trott so they've got some good players so we've got to make sure we're right on song"
And in a example of how importantly the Folkestone manager is taking the game he went to go watch The Gate yesterday hoping to pick up some valuable information on the opposition.
"I'll be going over to watch them and obviously you look for strengths and weaknesses and they're set up different since we last played them because Chris Kinnear's side were a rigid 5-3-2 but I know they've changed it now so I want to have a look"
Derby games at whatever level are always a bit more with some added spicy and Cugley entered into this theory and confirmed that the game definitely meant a little more to him and his lads and that they definitely wanted to win.
"I think deep down the players do approach derby's differently, I know as a player I did and really, I want them too because it'll give them the drive to win.
"I try and approach it as just another league game and aim to prepare like that, but the fans make it something a bit more special and they get behind you and there's the rivalry, so we're aim to finish above Margate and a win will do that for us.
"It'll be a good achievement to finish above Margate considering what they pay out and what we pay out."
The lack of league teams in Kent means that football-wise there is more focus than there would usually be on the non-league teams and this in turn brings a little more passion and pride to the games.
Cugley stressed the importance of winning the derby: "There's definitely a lot of pride at stake in Kent Derby's and for the players it should hurt a bit more if you lose so I expect ours to be very committed.
"Last few games we haven't played well enough for our away support, so its definitely about time to put a show on at home and give the supporters something to cheer about.
"We haven't created enough chances and caused teams other problems and that's been one of our downfalls all year. Last few home games however we have played at a better tempo and I feel confident about getting to that level against Margate"
On the team front, Invicta will be without Lee Shearer for a third successive game as he continues to recover from an ankle knock picked up against East Thurrock, the Invicta boss commented: "I don't think he'll be back, his ankles still sore and its one of those one's you might be able to get away with by strapping it up on soft ground, but the ground is pretty hard so he won't play".
Apart from that Folkestone are at full strength and Rob Knott continues to be in contention for a starting place after appearing in three consecutive games.
For the Gate, Hasim Deen remains a doubt with a hamstring injury and Anthony Allman who was replaced by Dean Standen after just 15 minutes in the match against Worthing could also miss out. Apart from that they will most likely continue with the prolific Hockton who has 11 goals in 16 games and before Saturday's 0-0 draw and scored in the last five games.
Folkestone Invicta v Margate
Ryman Premier League
Easter Monday, 17th April 2006 Kick Off 3:00pm
At Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd