There's no pressure at all on our lads', says Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley

FOLKESTONE INVICTA manager Neil Cugley says there is no pressure on his side when they lock horns with Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday night in the Ryman League Division One South play-off semi-final showdown at Champion Hill Stadium.

The Kent side were assured of their fourth place finish following their sixth win on the bounce when they romped to a 4-1 victory at Chipstead nine days ago, but had to wait to see how the three sides above them sorted themselves out in the final reckoning.

Brighton-based Whitehawk clinched the title with 90 points from 40 games, while Bognor Regis Town claimed the runners-up spot on 88.   The Rocks found themselves 2-0 down to Maidstone United in their last home game at Bourne Park, but they started playing the football they are renowned for during the second half and scored four goals from four shots past John Whitehouse in the second half.

Dulwich Hamlet slipped to third place with 86 points, following a shock 1-0 defeat away to Burgess Hill Town, which maintained the Sussex club’s Ryman League status.  Whyteleafe finished bottom and were relegated, despite beating Whitstable Town.

Folkestone Invicta finished in fourth on 76 points, while Godalming Town (73) grabbed the final play-off place after finishing six points clear of Maidstone United, who missed out on the play-off lottery.

Cugley’s side may have to travel to Bognor Regis Town next Sunday, 6 May, if they make it through to the play-off final, after winning promotion out of this division two years ago via home play-off wins over Leatherhead (on penalties) and Godalming Town.

Cugley, who was speaking to www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk,  said: “I really didn’t mind who we had to play, but if I’d had the choice I’d always wanted either Bognor or Dulwich.

“It’s a nice ground up there at Dulwich with a good pitch and hopefully a big crowd with a great atmosphere.”

Folkestone Invicta lost both home and away to Gavin Rose’s side in the League in the regular season, but the manger insists:  “In the two games against them we’ve been beaten quite comfortably so we’ll be determined to show them what a good side we can be.

“We’re all raring to go and if our lads perform well on the night there’s no reason why we can’t make it seven wins in a row to finish the season – or indeed eight with the final to come!

“There’s no pressure at all on our lads. Our aim for this season was to make the play-offs, which we’ve done – in many ways we’ve overachieved yet again.”

Cugley revealed his team selection, ahead of the clash.

He said: “I’ve got to talk to Gleds (Lee Gledhill). He may still have work commitments, but we’ve got Micheal Everitt to slot-in at right back if we need to, so I’m not really worried about that situation.

“Cade Mortimer is unavailable because of exams and JV (Josh Vincent) has still not quite got over his injuries, but other than that we’ve got else available and raring to go.

“We may have Simon Austin (who was appointed Canterbury City’s player-manager last week) and Roy Guiver to strengthen our squad numbers – I’ve no doubt that Dulwich will have 20 or more to choose from as usual!”

A supporters coach will leave Cheriton Road at 5:30pm and Cugley wants as many supporters to make the trip to south London.

Invicta were beaten 5-2 at Champion Hill in December and lost the return match at Cheriton Road 3-1 a couple of months back.

But top scorer Stuart King missed both games and his presence tomorrow is a real bonus.

Indeed, Folkestone played far better than the scoreline suggests in that away defeat – scoring first through Josh Burchell and later through a Darren Smith penalty.

Up to a few weeks ago, when new champions Whitehawk won 2-0 at Dulwich – Invicta were the only side to have scored more than once against Hamlet in a league game at Champion Hill.

Cugley’s side have ended the season with a fine six-game winning run – scoring plenty of goals in the process with their final three matches all ending in 4-1 victories – so confidence in the team must be high.

Indeed, at least one of Folkestone’s senior players has said that they needed to play Dulwich again to put the record straight.

Reflecting on Dulwich Hamlet’s shock defeat at Burgess Hill Town at the weekend, Cugley added: “That was a strange result.  But we’ve got a side on good form after six wins on the bounce and we’ve all had a Saturday off to re-charge the batteries.  As I’ve said, we’re raring to go!”

Quotes courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk  

Dulwich Hamlet  v  Folkestone Invicta
Ryman League Division One South Play-Off Semi-Final
Tuesday 1^st May 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, Dog Kennel Hill, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD