French pair await for Cugley's decision

“To be honest it’s still fairly early and the players are getting fitter but I’m pleased with the majority of them and some of the younger lads have done well,” said Invicta boss Neil Cugley.

One of the “younger lads” is centre back Liam Friend, 17, who completed another full ninety minutes against Faversham.

Cugley said: “If he continues like he has been doing recently he’ll have a part to play in the forthcoming season.

”I’m not saying he will start games but he will always be in the squad if he keeps up these appearances.

“He’s going to be an asset for the club and he’s a good lad. He’s a bit like James Everitt in the sense that he’s so keen to learn which is very important”.

The game against Hythe Town last weekend, which finished 1-1, has left the Invicta boss with a few injuries.

Steve Norman is likely to be out for around two weeks with a calf injury, whilst Kevin Watson suffered a bad knock and young striker Joe Neilson fractured a wrist.

“Well as you’ve probably read we’ve got we’ve got Norms and Kev out for a few weeks and Joe’s injury is disappointing, but it’s what you get with some friendlies,” said Cugley.

“Kevin is going on holiday for a week anyway, so that one isn’t too bad. But those injuries will give other lads a chance”.

The Folkestone manager therefore shuffled his side around against Faversham Town and young trialist Dane Lutchford was introduced for the second period of the game.

Cugley said: “I thought it went well. To be fair the pitch wasn’t that good but I thought we tried to play some really good stuff. We scored a few goals which is always important at this time of the year and also that you beat the lesser sides so to speak”.

Lutchford is a left wing back and is another player the Folkestone management will be running a close eye over in the forthcoming pre season games.

Cugley added: “Dane’s a lad that’s been training with us and again we’re just having a look at him. Obviously he’s a young lad and it’s a very hard task to displace people like Paul Lamb and Steve Norman who play the left wing back position and who do so well for us. We’ll be having a good look at him and we’ll go from there really”.

A number of players are unavailable for the match against Welling this Saturday. In addition to the injuries to Norman, Watson and Neilson, defender Adam Flanagan is on holiday and striker Matt Carruthers is unavailable.

After missing the game against Faversham due to a headache and illness, popular striker Walid Matata returns to the squad to face Welling.

Cugley said: “We might switch a few people about against Welling; Mark Saunders might play at centre half with Liam Friend and Lee Shearer as a back three. So with a few lads not available, it gives us a chance to try different things out.”

French trialists Simo Kayo Bertin and Amadou Pame may also join up with the Folkestone squad on Saturday.

Cugley commented on the performance of the French pair, saying: “They’ve not done too badly. Nothing has been decided on either one of them yet. They have brought a bit of freshness to the squad though as the players don’t really know much about them and so they start looking over their shoulders. So it doesn’t do any harm at all.

“We’ve had roughly the same squad over the past year so a few new faces about the place is good for us”.

Former Invicta defender John Guest returns to the Buzzlines Stadium this Saturday with new club Welling United.

Guest left the Seasiders for the Wings in the latter half of last season, with centre back Lee Shearer and forward Matt Carruthers leaving Welling for Cheriton Road. Guest was always a popular figure amongst players and fans alike.

His former manager expressed: “It’ll be nice to see Guesty back on Saturday and we parted on good terms. He’s a good lad and a nice bloke to have around Folkestone and he’s playing very well for Welling so I’m well pleased for him.

“I’m lucky that I still get on with most players that have been at the club and I still talk with many of them”.

Cugley stated his side’s aims for tomorrow afternoon, adding: “We’ll be looking to play some good football and obviously it’s about improving the fitness. As you’re starting to get closer now to the start of the season you want a bit of balance and a nice bit of shape in the side.

“It doesn’t really matter who you put out, you still want a nice shape to the team and a good balance and then you can go from there”.

Visit the Folkestone Invicta website:  www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk  

Folkestone Invicta  v  Welling United
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 29^th July 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
At the Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone