Cugley: The club is buzzing again!

The Seasiders went into the match with five players out; captain Adam Flanagan (stomach), Mark Saunders (back), Paul Jones (groin), Luke Howell (hamstring) and Micheal Everitt who served a one match suspension.  Samuel Kola Okikiolu returned to the side in the heart of defence.

Speaking to www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk after the match, manager Neil Cugley said:  “Obviously the conditions out there weren’t brilliant today but the lads stuck in there and they battled really well.  I can’t fault any of the players; they all did ever so well.   

”We had five out today, five experienced players and I think if we’d had Mev or Saundo in there, we would’ve held the lead and taken all the points as they would’ve given us that bit more experience. 

“People don’t realise how much of a good talker Mark (Saunders) is in the centre of the park; even when he isn’t having one of his best games he’s always talking to the lads around him and getting them in the right positions.”

Invicta went ahead very early on in the first half, when a forceful run into the box by the re-signed Ellis Remy saw him cut back a good ball for Damian Abel to head home, much to the delight of the Folkestone faithful. 

Billericay were to equalise before the end of the half, which saw the Seasiders go in at the interval with the scoreline at 1-1. 

Cugley said: “At half time I had no real complaints, I told them to stick at it which they did really well.  With the first goal we caught them on the break early on and it was a good, powerful run into the box by Ellis and an intelligent cross for Damian. 

“Ratty got a good goal when he stayed in there when we put the ball back in and he got his reward, and then Jimmy Corbett added to that with a really well taken goal and he showed today what an absolute quality player he is.  So I’ve got no complaints really”, remarked Neil.

With Folkestone winning 3-1, Billericay had little choice but to attack in numbers to try and get something from the match and they pulled back two goals in quick succession. 

The Invicta boss said: “Of course I was disappointed with the goals we conceded but what we did do was stick at it as they were in the ascendancy at that point – they had changed their side around a bit and when they bring on players of the quality of Hodges, you know they’re going for it. 

“As has been the case recently we have had a lot of young lads in the side, in terms of age and experience but they have done ever so well and today they kept on going.  Billericay are a full time side and so their higher fitness levels were going to show in the latter stages of the match, which again is a credit to our lads for persevering so well.” 

He added: “We’ve had a lot of injuries recently and that has meant we have had to make changes to the side.  If you go back to earlier in the season, September/October time, when we had a settled side, we done pretty well and so that’s something we’ve got to get back to and pick up points”.

The Seasiders travel to Harrow Borough on Saturday, a side just below Invicta in the Ryman Premier table but with games in hand.  Folkestone will be buoyed by the news that Micheal Everitt will return to the squad along with on loan Gillingham midfielder Luke Howell and striker Paul Jones who was on the bench against Billericay. 

Mark Saunders will have a late fitness test as he is presently rated 50/50, whilst captain Adam Flanagan remains doubtful but Cugley will re-assess the situation midweek. 

The Folkestone manager hinted that there may be a new signing in the squad for next weekend.  He mentioned, “It’ll be a loan one, possibly.  It’ll be a midfielder, an attacking one, somebody who can play on the wing.  We’ll see though.  I’ve said it before but it can be difficult at this time of year getting players in as they are often contracted and settled in at clubs but we’re always on the look out and as I say, I’m hoping to get a player or two in”.

“I was going to have Harrow watched and I had someone going over there but their match was called off unfortunately – so you’ve got to feel sorry for him going over there!  It’s another important game for us as they are only a position below us with games in hand so we need to go there and produce another good performance, like we did against Margate, like we did today, so we come home with the points.  Then we can push away from the relegation zone and get as far up the table as possible”. 

Harrow visited the Buzzlines Stadium on the first day of the season, and went away with a 1-0 victory in a largely poor match.  Incidentally, popular forward Ellis Remy played for Harrow on that day back in August, coming on as a substitute after about an hour of play.  Folkestone will no doubt be determined to make amends next Saturday.

Cugley revealed how last Friday’s meeting with the new Board of directors went, and the delighted manager added:   “It’s buzzing at the club now with these new Directors in.  We had a really positive meeting where lots of things were discussed and these new people are local and they are very enthusiastic about pushing this club forward. 

“It has been a bit stagnant around the place these past few years but these new people have given everyone here a massive lift and I think that showed in the performance today.  The Directors aren’t just here for the short term either; they are ambitious and determined to push this club forwards and everybody here is very excited about that”.

Visit Folkestone Invicta’s website:  www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk