Cugley: We've got to score more goals from advanced positions

Folkestone Invicta picked up all three points at bottom of the Ryman Premier side Redbridge on Saturday in a successful afternoon away in Essex, writes Andy Bown and Tom Marchant – www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk



Manager Neil Cugley did make some changes from the side that lost to Margate in the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday night.

Recent Gillingham loan signing Mark Corneille made his debut in the right wing back position instead of James Fraser who took a place alongside midfielders James Everitt and new recruit Dean Smith, defender Stuart Playford and goalkeeper Matt Hurley on the substitute’s bench.

Striker Paul Jones and left sided defender Paul Lamb were still out with injuries (groin and bruised ribs respectively) whilst Stuart Myall regained his placed in the Folkestone midfield due to the suspension of midfielder Mark Saunders.

Cugley said: “I think the midfield done alright, it’s just an area we’ve got to improve with. I’m more comfortable with Mark Saunders in there as he is a good leader and he gets players going around him”.

On his side’s performance against the Essex based club, Cugley remarked: “It was a good result although it wasn’t particularly exciting. They (Redbridge) only had the one shot on goal in the whole ninety minutes.

“I think maybe we’re a bit disappointed we didn’t make it a little bit more comfortable, but generally we’re pleased we won”.

Essex resident Steve Norman scored both of the Folkestone goals in the first half; his first being a twenty-five yard strike and his second a far post header from a Walid Matata cross.

Cugley praised: “He’s (Norman) given us an extra dimension from left wing back and he gets forward well. This really showed with his second one, which I thought was a really good goal”.

Corneille played in the right wing back position, with the Invicta boss adding:“He (Corneille) had a very good game and he got forward well. They (Corneille and Norman) caused their two opponents problems and if you play this system that’s what you’re looking for; them to get forward more. I was pleased with that”.

Goals from another area of the team are something Cugley has been wanting lately, stating they have to come from the whole team and not just the forwards.

“Obviously we are looking at players who can perform better in the final third and we still want to bring in a forward of quality. But today the right wing back (Corneille) got forward well and so did Norms which showed with the two goals he got.

”You’re then looking for your midfielders to push on more, so it’s not just forwards and all round our team has got to score more goals from advanced positions,” he said.

The win pushes Folkestone to eleventh position in the Ryman Premier, with the Folkestone boss highlighting the progress that has been made recently, pointing out: “It’s good as not long ago we were worrying about staying in the League and now we’re talking about maybe finishing top half which is good. That was the idea for us to push on in the last few months of the season and then have a real go next year”.

Before their next League match against second placed and financially well backed Fisher Athletic next Saturday, Invicta will take on Southern League Division One side Sittingbourne in a friendly game this Wednesday at the Buzzlines Stadium.

This will be used by Cugley to improve the fitness of his squad. He stated: “It will involve a lot of the first team players as we’ve got a lot of lads who haven’t played many football games this year for various reasons. It’s important for them to keep their fitness good, but match fitness is a different thing”.

He added: “I think it’s important we keep games playing along. Lads like Walid, Wright, James Fraser and Mark Saunders haven’t played many games and it’ll be good for them to keep playing”.

Forthcoming games at the Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road:

Wednesday 15th February, 7:45pm, Friendly v Sittingbourne

Saturday 18th February, 3pm, Ryman Premier League v Fisher Athletic