Resurgent Folkestone announce deal with Eurotunnel

A resounding 3-0 victory away to East Thurrock United last night at Rookery Hill made it two victories in a row for Folkestone Invicta in the Ryman Premier League, writes Andy Bown & Tom Marchant.

Neil Cugley started with the same formation that won 2-0 at Slough Town the previous Saturday.

Josh Burchell, 16, was named in the squad and made his first senior appearance for the club, even if it was somewhat short lived after leaving the field with a cut eye only two minutes after coming on.

“It was the best performance of the season and considering Thurrock were quite a strong side and have some good players, we stuck at our task well and the goals eventually came which were fully deserved,” Cugley told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

“In a lot of ways it was better than the Slough performance because they caused us more problems and we defended extremely well again”.

Ellis Remy scored during first half stoppage time to put the Seasiders ahead, courtesy of an assist from right wing back Kevin Watson.

Cugley said: “Our first goal was an excellent goal; we played some super football down the right and Kevin Watson done superbly to pull it back for Ellis and he finished it off well”.

Left wing back Steve Norman popped up with the second goal after Remy headed the ball back across the goal, which is his second goal in two games. Former Gillingham player Mark Saunders got Invicta’s third after heading in a set piece from Watson.

Cugley said: “The second and third goals game from set pieces again which is good from my point of view because it shows we’re getting back to being dangerous at set pieces like last year.

"We’ve worked on things in training but the quality of the balls in from Steve Norman and Kevin Watson has been excellent and no matter how much we practice them, if the quality of the balls isn’t right then they don’t work”,

Goals last night came from all areas of the pitch and Cugley explained: “It is important that you don’t rely on just one person to get the goals and people around the team are popping up with the goals from different places.

“I still would like more goals from the forwards but it’s down to confidence and the shape of the side means we can get goals from anywhere with the wing backs pushing on”.

A sequence of wins since the Whyteleafe FA Cup game has given the Invicta squad a great boost confidence wise, and combined with a numbers of arrivals and departures recently has certainly lived everyone up at the Buzzlines Stadium.

The Folkestone boss said: “Confidence is a funny thing but now we have the three wins, the lads are really confident about winning games.

“I think the second half at Dartford started to turn things round; we changed things up there and put some younger legs around the park and since then our performances have improved a lot”.

Cugley revealed that recent signings Ellis Remy and Samuel Kola Okikiolu, both originally signed on non contract terms, have put pen to paper on contract deals keeping them at Cheriton Road for the foreseeable future.

Transfer listed defender Lee Shearer left the club for Ryman One side Maidstone United in the week.

Cugley said: “They’ve both come in (Remy and Okikiolu) and done the job we’ve wanted them to do and with players leaving we’ve been able to now pay them proper wages and they will be staying at this football club.“

The signing of Okikiolu has seen Cugley shuffle his side slightly to introduce more pace throughout.

Liam Friend has slotted in at the back alongside Okikiolu and Adam Flanagan, whilst Watson has reverted back into the right wing back role where he first played when he came to the club.

James Everitt has been moved into midfield alongside brother Micheal and Saunders.

Cugley explained: “Kola’s done well since he’s come in and to be fair to him we haven’t lost a game yet when he’s played so his presence has made a difference.

Pushing Watto out to the right has meant we’ve got a lot more quality coming in from the wings and James Everitt in midfield has given us more pace.

“James’s passing has improved a lot. He’s always had the pace and the fitness but now he’s using the ball a lot better and is a better footballer all round. He’s got a tremendous amount of energy like his brother so he’s probably more effective in midfield getting round the pitch and into the box to score goals, which I hope he will get more of.”

Meanwhile, Folkestone Invicta Football Club are pleased to announce a link up with Eurotunnel.

Eurotunnel had been a sponsor of the club in the past with Le Shuttle being a shirt sponsor in their Kent league days.

A statement issued by the Cheriton Road club said: “During our summer clear up, a number of advertising signs were found. After discussions with Eurotunnel it was agreed to use the signs again.

“The Supporters Club are pleased to have linked up with Eurotunnel, who will supply tickets for one day crossings for a monthly members draw and open ended tickets for the longer stay for major raffles.”

Invicta welcome Nationwide Conference South outfit Welling United in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Saturday (3pm).

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