It's time to start picking up three points, says Cugley

FOLKESTONE INVICTA recorded their biggest away win in years on Tuesday night at Maidstone Road as they defeated Chatham Town 6-0 in the Kent Senior Cup, writes Tom Marchant.

Manager Neil Cugley made three changes from Saturday’s starting line up: combative midfielder Micheal Everitt returned from suspension in place of Scott Lindsey, Kieron Byrne replaced Jimmy Corbett (Achilles tendon) and Tayler Thomas came in for Mark Towse.

“I think Tayler came in and had his best game for us so far down the right and he looked sharp,” praised Cugley, when speaking to www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

“Mev (Micheal Everitt) was back in there and scored a good left footed goal and Byrnesy came in and done well. We had energy and young legs and we looked good and as they start to settle down they will get their just rewards.

“We started so well with a high tempo and continued from that last twenty minutes on Saturday against Merstham when we were on top, which was very pleasing and we got the ball to the front lads early. We played some good football and what a result it was, our highest away victory in a long, long time.

“They (Chatham) may not have been as strong as they were when we played them in the Trophy and they might say the same about us but you’ve still got to go there and perform and we did perform well with some decent goals.”

The goals flowed from both Everitt brothers, both Jimmys (Dryden and Jackson), Kieron Byrne and on loan Gillingham youngster, Tayler Thomas.

“The Byrnesy one was the best move of the night I thought where Jimmy Dryden had driven the ball across and Byrnesy has come in and tapped it home. Tayler got a nice goal with a bit of skill in the box and drove it home, Jacko got a good free kick and Jimmy got a decent header.

“Mev went through and hit a good left foot shot from the edge of the box which he doesn’t do enough of but he’s pulled one out, taken it well and Ratty (James Everitt) has got one as well and it was a good mixture of goals. With both Everitt’s getting one we were going to look for his dad later to see if he could get on the scoresheet!

“At 2-0 though Charlie made an important save as he always does and you forget how important it was at the time, then second half we went out and played very well.”

Cugley also took the opportunity to give two more promising youngsters a taste of the action; reserve goalkeeper Alex Conyers and attacking 17 year old Dan Driscoll.

Invicta make another trip to Surrey this weekend to take on Walton Casuals, a side who picked up their first victory in nine matches last weekend - a 2-1 home win over Eastbourne Town.

“We have to show the same commitment as we did against Chatham. We’re not far away and it’s a learning curve for this young side and as I keep saying we haven’t seen the best of them yet.

“We’re not an easy side to beat and when we have lost it has been by the odd goal or we’ve drawn and a goal the other way and we’d obviously be a lot higher in the league.

“We’re after that victory in the League which we haven’t had since players left and we want it as soon as we can and it will give the lads that bit more confidence and self belief.”

Josh Burchell (calf strain) and Billy Swallow are due to see a physio at training tonight, although both are doubtful for the weekend.

Jimmy Corbett is likely to be sidelined for a few weeks with an Achilles tendon problem. Liam Friend serves the last match of his suspension.

The loan spell of Tayler Thomas which was initially for a period of one month has come to an end although the Folkestone boss is due to hold talks with Gillingham tomorrow.

Frankie Chappell is with the club on a three month loan deal although because the loan spell has now exceeded one month, Welling United reserve the right to recall their centre half at any time. Chappell is currently living and studying at Canterbury so the loan deal suits both parties.

“We’ve got to wait and see about Tayler but we are down on numbers at the moment so I am speaking to people to see what we can sort out,” revealed Cugley.

“There is a possibility of a number of things happening to make us a bit stronger for Saturday and maybe we’ll be bringing in someone for Tuesday to help us out for a little while.

“We’ll be looking call in a couple of favours because with respect we don’t want to be going up on Saturday and be easy pickings which we haven’t been so far to be honest. We just want to go there with a good enough side and we’ve got a cup game Tuesday and a run of fairly difficult games following that and we want to compete.”

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Walton Casuals v Folkestone Invicta
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 29^th November 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Waterside Stadium, Waterside Drive, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 2JP