Cugley targets striker "to become a force"

Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley has today made his first step towards freshening up his squad in time for the Kent derby against Maidstone United tomorrow afternoon, by signing centre back Tom Bryant from League One side Gillingham in a one month loan deal.

Cugley, speaking to www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk, tonight, announced the news and he stated Bryant will go straight into the starting line up tomorrow in place of Samuel Kola Okikiolu, who has been suffering from a troublesome knee injury.

Cugley said: “Mark (Saunders) new him (Bryant) from his time at Gillingham and he played against us in that friendly we had earlier on in the year.

“He’s a left sided centre half and with Kola still struggling we didn’t want to risk anything in that position and Gillingham have been very kind to let us have him and we’re very grateful to them for that”.

Bryant, 19, was part of a number of players who were awarded professional contracts by the Gills at the end of last season and incidentally fellow centre back Frankie Chappell was one of those reluctantly released by the League One outfit.

Chappell then signed a one year deal with Invicta who won the race for his signature over a host of other clubs, including Ryman Division One side Dover Athletic.

“Tom and Frankie are both very similar in terms of ability and Frankie has been terrific for us so far this season and I’m confident Tom will do well too”, explained the Invicta boss, who also mentioned that he was hoping to add a striker to the squad for tomorrow’s Ryman Premier League clash but the deal “didn’t materialise”.

“We’ve spoken to lots of people lately and we should have some news about a striker on Monday, revealed Cugley.

“We were hoping obviously to get someone in for tomorrow but we’re pretty confident we’ll have one, maybe two before next week’s (away) match against Chelmsford.

“To be a force at this level you have to have quality in the final third and we’re lacking that at the moment and we don’t seem to be able to finish off sides from one game to the next.

“This has to change and so we’re looking to make the necessary changes”.

Asked whether the new signings would mean existing players would be released from the Buzzlines Stadium, the Folkestone boss explained: “Sometimes it works like that yes, but if its loans to start with some clubs like Gillingham want the players to play so you can often come to some sort of agreement.

“Maybe someone will have to go but as I’ve said recently I think maybe it’s time we need some changes.

“We’re also still waiting for Richard Shittu’s registration to come through and basically if the F.A haven’t refused permission by next Monday then he can play – hopefully on Tuesday against Chatham”.

Earlier this week Folkestone were knocked out of the League Cup 4-3 by Horsham YMCA after extra time.

Goals for Invicta came from Micheal Everitt (his first of the season) and from forward Ellis Remy whilst a header from Kevin Watson took a deflection off a Horsham defender into the back of the net.

“It would be wrong to say I want to concentrate on the League and that would just be an excuse,” admitted Cugley.

“We rested a few players and those that have injuries but then the players that came in had to want to perform to force their way into the team and this didn’t happen and they didn’t take their chance and that was disappointing.

“It was always an open game and it was a big ground but generally we are disappointed again in how we played and how we performed.

It was very patchy and not enough quality for my liking. When we were 2-1 up we had two or three excellent opportunities and that would’ve won the game comfortably and that has been our problem all season unfortunately but as I have said, is something we will address.”

Folkestone created chances throughout the match with good opportunities falling to Roland Edge, Damian Abel and James Corbett amongst others.

Two goals from Greg Palmer and one each from Richard Greenfield and Joe Keehan sealed the victory for Horsham.

The Seasiders have now made three visits down to Horsham YMCA already this season, the other two being a pre season friendly where Folkestone won 4-1 and an F.A Cup replay where Invicta went home with a 2-0 victory.

“We didn’t defend that well Tuesday night and we had Kola out and we missed him as a sweeper,” said Cugley.

“Two of the goals conceded were where we had possession of the ball and then gave it away and they punished us so we’ve got to be a lot better than that, starting from the next game against Maidstone”.

Going into tomorrow’s encounter at Sittingbourne’s Bourne Park, Invicta should travel with a full strength squad after several players were rested on Tuesday night.

Remarkably, Folkestone have already played over twenty matches this season, and Cugley said: “Maidstone played Wednesday night against Abingdon United and they won 5-3. We had them watched in that game and tomorrow is a big game because if we win we’ll consolidate our top 8 position and if we lose we could be in the bottom half so it is so close at the moment.”

Looking at the League table, the two sides are only separated by three points and Maidstone have managed to begin to turn their season around after a disastrous start to the season.

Folkestone fans will remember pacy winger Nick Hegley who played at Cheriton Road a few seasons back and well travelled defender Lee Shearer who was released by Invicta last season after arriving from Conference South side Welling United.

“It will be a tough game and we know they are a very strong side with some quick players and so we have got to be really switched on to do well and get something out of it,” said Cugley.

“We’ve got to improve for the next two games and it has been a very up and down season so far and that’s what has been so frustrating.

“Obviously our home form has been very poor but when we go away we are one of the better sides in the League and I hope we can get our away form back on track tomorrow.”

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Maidstone United v Folkestone Invicta
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 10^th November 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bourne Park, Central Park, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne ME10 3SB