Striker Jones will be wearing a Folkestone shirt by the end of the season, says Cugley

Friday 02nd April 2010

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley says his side must do a professional job away to Walton & Hersham on Easter Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Cugley’s side remain in second place in the Ryman League Division One South table thanks for a 2-0 home win over Merstham in midweek - their fourth successive win in league and cup matches.

And the long-serving campaigner told www.kentishfootball.co.uk that he was impressed with the Surrey side.

“I think considering the conditions, obviously it was fairly wet, and to be fair to Merstham they came out and had a fairly open and fairly attack mind and made it a very good game,” said Cugley.

Cugley takes his side to Walton & Hersham tomorrow, admitting he doesn’t enjoy his visits to Stompond Lane.

“It’s never the easiest of places to go to,” he said. “It’s very open, it’s got an athletics track around it, an old sort of ground but it’s one of those grounds that if you are having a good season you have to go to those grounds and show what you’re about and get a result.

“It’s not ideal but not one you look forward to, if you know what I mean!”

But Cugley was more complimentary to Kent rivals Chatham Town, who arrive at Cheriton Road on Easter Monday (3pm).

“I think Chatham have got some useful players,” said the Invicta boss. “I was a bit shocked that they’re not further up in the table to be honest. I thought they were very lively earlier in the season.

“It should be a good game. They try to play good football. Hopefully it should be an open game and one spectators should enjoy.”

Folkestone striker Brendon Cass comes up against his former side on Easter Monday and Cugley is pleased with the contribution that he has made since his arrival at the beginning of March, scoring five goals.

“Sometimes its how things fall into place,” explained Cugley. “At the time I think things weren’t going too well for him at Chatham. Even Alex O’Brien, their manager, said it was the right move for him to try somewhere else and get his appetite back for football and to be fair to him he’s got the goals and the move’s worked out for everybody.

“It was one areas where we don’t score enough goals. He came at a time when Simon Austin was suspended. I’m pleased to say he will be here until the end of the season and we’re pleased with him.

“He’s given us a little bit of competition up front, which is very important at this time of the year.”

But Cass and leading goalscorer James Everitt will be kept on their toes, following the re-signing of striker Paul Jones, following his recent release from local rivals Ashford Town.

“I’m delighted to have brought him back and at the moment he has a few injuries so we have to be careful with him, but he should be wearing a Folkestone shirt by the end of the season,” Cugley told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

“You can never have too many forwards and it gives us competition for places.

“At the moment with Cass and Ratty (James Everitt) playing so well, Auso (Austin) has been unfortunate as after he served his suspension he has been kept out of the side.

“But as I’ve said before we’re going to need everyone now and we’re already very stretched as we run on a tiny squad and we will also be without Smithy (Darren Smith) on Monday as he has a commitment which we’ve always known about.

“We get on with it though we we have done all season and we’re up for every game so bring on the next one.”

Folkestone Invicta go into the Easter period sitting in second place - one point behind big-spending Croydon Athletic, who have a game in hand.

“It’s not in our hands at the moment, it’s obviously in Croydon’s hands,” admitted Cugley. “We’ll just have a look again at the end off this weekend and see how things have gone and go from there really.”

With seven league games - and a Kent Senior Cup semi-final home tie against Welling United - left to cram into the last four weeks of the season, Cugley’s small squad will be stretched.

But he added: “You just have to get on with it. People think the Ryman League should extend the season but I think it’s just a one off situation this year and you just have to get on with it and do your best. It’s not ideal but we’ll be alright.”

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

Walton & Hersham v Folkestone Invicta

Ryman League Division One South

Easter Saturday, 3rd April 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Stompond Lane, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 1HF