Cugley: We could do with a lift

FA Cup action begins this weekend for Folkestone Invicta when they make the journey to take on Ryman One South side Whyteleafe on Saturday, writes Andy Bown & Tom Marchant - www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Fans wishing to travel the game might be interested in contacting Derek ‘Dusty’ Miller who is coordinating the away travel, on 07748 560172. A Buzzlines coach has been hired for the game, with the price only £12.00 per head. The coach departs from the Stripes Club at 12:30pm on Saturday morning.

But Invicta will be hoping for another great cup run this year, after reaching the first round proper last year.

The Seasiders were drawn away to Chester City where captain Adam Flanagan scored a first half goal to put Folkestone 1-0 ahead.

But two second half goals from Chester secured them a place in the second round but the hundreds of Invicta fans travelling, including Folkestone and Hythe MP Michael Howard, were full of pride for their team on what was a truly memorable and well earned run in the competition.

The second half saw the introduction of fast attacking midfielder Ben Sly after 57 minutes, who came in for creative midfielder Martin Chandler.

Sly and Liam Friend have been the latest pair to have made the step up from the Folkestone reserves and have performed admirably, much to the delight of their manager.

“Ben Sly did exceptionally well and he’ll definitely play Saturday and I think anyone who was there would agree with me we just were superb; lots of crosses, crisp passing and it was very pleasing after Saturday’s poor performance.

“We looked a lot busier around the pitch and more hungry and it was the first time we created that many chances this season.

“I was very pleased with Friendy too; he’s very quick and still only a young lad. We just need him to bulk him up a bit. He’s a good athlete and that’s how we’re trying to change the team at the moment.

“As I said we didn’t play well first half and there was pressure on the defence but second half he and the defence dealt with everything they needed to and Liam will definitely play a part on Saturday”.

Former Invicta defender and popular player Anthony Henry scored a brace on the eve of his 27^th birthday against his former club.

Former Folkestone players Kevin Hudson and Steve Hafner also appeared for Dartford on Tuesday night.

Cugley said: “They were frustrating goals to give away. The first one the referee gave a free-kick which was never a free-kick in a million years and then I thought we should’ve dealt with the ball into the box a lot better and we gave the lad a free header. The second was a good free-kick though from Tony Henry.”

Impressive and lively character Ellis Remy continued in the Folkestone attack and put in another good performance.

The Invicta manager said: “Ellis did well again and he hit the post from an excellent overhead kick and he should have really won it for us at the death! But he’s causing the problems that we wanted him to and he’s doing really well.

“We also put James Everitt in midfield second half and he’s got a great engine on him like his brother and he caused them a lot of problems and put some decent crosses in”.

Rob Knott remains the worrying injury for Folkestone at the moment, with his knee injury still causing him problems and will certainly need the opinion of a specialist to know the full extent of the damage and what is causing the swelling.

Popular striker Walid Matata remains on the sidelines with an infamous metatarsal injury and will likely be out for another four weeks.

Influential midfielder Mark Saunders will have a late fitness test on a recent foot injury but the Invicta management are confident he will be fit enough to take his place in the centre of the park.

Cugley has had Whyteleafe watched in preparation for Saturday’s match and will certainly be using tonight’s training session to fully brief his squad for the task ahead. New signings Okikiolu and Corbett train for the first time at the Buzzlines Stadium.

He noted: “They had good players and looked quite lively and I’m not sure how strong their line-up was but overall I thought we deserved to win the game. We looked much the better side in the second half and I feel really optimistic that we can take it into Saturday’s game which is very important to the Club.

” Whyteleafe are a big strong side and get the ball forward quick to the front men so it’ll be a tricky game even though they’re a league below us and so we’ve got to give them respect.

“When the draw came out it looked a good one for us but obviously with us having the run we’ve had and them picking up a few decent results, you could perhaps say they’re slight favourites,” stated Cugley.

This Saturday has the potential to be the start of another thrilling FA Cup run for Folkestone; lucrative not only financially but also in terms of the excitement generated for the Invicta faithful.

Cugley explained: “The FA Cup is very important and it doesn’t matter what non-league club you are, whenever you get knocked out it is a massive disappointment to everybody; fans, players, managers and it gives you a knock back.

“At the moment we could do with a lift and I hope like last year a cup run can do that for us. We got a big lift from our second half performance the other night and if we can take that into our cup game then we’ll definitely get through.

“The fans are very important in these away games. We’ve had a disappointing start to the season so everybody needs a lift now and them really getting behind you, especially away from home, does help our lads a great deal.”

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