We’re on a roller coaster ride, admits Cugley

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley has challenged his players to finish as high as possible come the end of their troubled season, writes Tom Marchant.

Invicta go into Saturday’s home game against Eastbourne Town in 12^th place in the Ryman League Division One South table with 46 points - fifteen points clear of relegation.

But they are buoyed by a 2-0 away victory at play-off chasing Merstham last weekend and go into Saturday’s home game against Eastbourne Town, knowing the two sides fought out a 2-2 draw back in November on a very wet day on the east Sussex coast, with James Dryden grabbing both goals.

Invicta’s playing personnel has only changed slightly since but the side are comfortably positioned in mid table and with no relegation worries to contend with, the aim for Neil Cugley’s players will be to finish as high as possible come the end of the season.

“Against Chipstead I thought we didn’t play very well and the things I asked the players to put right against Merstham were done properly and I thought we looked a good side,” Cugley told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

Two goals in five minutes in the latter part of the second half from youngster Josh Vincent and one from record goal scorer Jimmy Dryden ensured victory for the Seasiders.

“JV has done well to get round the back following a flick on and he tucked it away nicely and I think he will be well chuffed at getting his first senior goal,” said the long-serving Folkestone boss.

“He’s learning his trade at wing back at the minute and I think it’s a good position for him and Burchy to do that in; you’ve got people behind you if you make a mistake who can cover and they’ve got the energy and the legs to get up and down the pitch.

“Jimmy Dryden got a well taken goal and considering the fact that he’s not fully fit at the moment with a foot injury he did well. With the situation at the Club at the minute he has to play until he can get a long rest in the summer.

“The lad from Gills (Arnold-Smith) done alright alongside him as well which was pleasing and it gave us a bit more balance in attack.

“With fixtures down to one a week now, the players with carrying injuries are starting to recover a bit and I think that showed with a greater sharpness in our game on Saturday which was pleasing to see."

James Everitt (hamstring) played twenty minutes against Whitstable Town for the reserves in midweek and will be assessed in training on Thursday although Cugley hopes to have the youngest of the two Everitt brothers fit for the weekend. Joe Neilson also had twenty minutes against the Oystermen.

Kieron Byrne is due to see the physio tonight about a knee injury and it is hoped he will be back in action in the near future.

Gillingham forward Jacob Arnold-Smith could be involved again this weekend subject to clearance by the highflying League Two club.

On this weekend's opponents Cugley said, “They’ve improved a lot since then and when we played them back in November when they were below us.

“Since then they’ve put a fairly decent run together and as a result are obviously above us in the table.

“But so were Merstham and we beat them and therefore there is nothing for us to fear and we’ll be looking for another good performance.

"I think we’re feeling confident; we knew Cray was going to be difficult and they were better than us, Chipstead, we had chances to win but it was a poor performance and Saturday it was a good performance and that's the roller coaster ride we said we'd be on, but we will keep plugging away."

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Folkestone Invicta v Eastbourne Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 21^st March 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU