You've got to enjoy every single minute of them, says Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley

The club finished runners-up in the Ryman League Division One South table with 89 points from their 46 league outings, finishing 18 points adrift of promoted champions Peacehaven & Telscombe, who clinched the title at the first attempt following promotion from the Sussex County League last summer.

Invicta leapfrogged over Leatherhead after the Surrey club were penalised six points over an irregularity surrounding the registration of a player.

The Tanners, who finished on 86 points, slipped down to third-place and will have home advantage over Guernsey, who finished with 81 points, a couple more points than Hastings United, whom travel to Cheriton Road on Tuesday night.

If Folkestone Invicta win the south coast battle then they will have home advantage in Saturday’s play-off final against Leatherhead or Guernsey.

Cugley’s side flew over to Guernsey last Friday night and completed their league campaign with a 2-2 draw.

“We got on the plane and we were third and we got off the plane and we were second,” said Cugley, on the eve of their crunch play-off semi-final.

“It’s a bit of a shock.  It’s good. I’m pleased for the players because they get a medal out of it won’t they.”

Reflecting on their league campaign, Cugley added: “Not a great season. Great since sort of the end of September onwards. We didn’t start very well.  A lot of changes had to be made and they were made and we’ve done very well since then.”

Despite problems with finances and the roof of their main stand flying off the hinges around Christmas, Cugley has a habit of putting problems to one side and churning out winning teams.

This will be the second time in five years that the club have finished runners-up in the Ryman League Division One South and last season they finished fifth and lost to Maidstone United in the play-off semi-finals.

“I try to get genuine people around me to work on the pitch and have genuine people off it,” said Cugley.

“Roland Edge and Simon Austin have been great for me and are great people and we make it enjoyable. We don’t get too down about it and we just get on with it and they’ve always been a great help to me.”

Folkestone Invicta were defeated 3-0 down in Hastings on 7 October 2013, but won the return game 2-1 at Cheriton Road two weeks ago.

Cugley reflected: “We played very poorly down there in October time and lost 3-0 and we beat them two weeks to the day when we beat them 2-1.

“I think to be fair all the teams in the play-offs are much of a muchness and anyone can beat anyone really. Us, Guernsey, Leatherhead and Hastings are all about the same really.”

The Folkestone boss is looking forward to the game against Hastings United.

“I don’t think you should be nervous. We should enjoy them. We’ve played in them before. We’re at home. We’ve had home ones (beating Leatherhead on penalties and Godalming Town in the final).  We’ve gone to Dulwich and lost and lost at Maidstone last year obviously, but you’ve got to enjoy it and do your best.

“I really enjoy the evenings and hopefully the players do.  Great if you win. If you don’t, at least you can say you’ve done them!

“There’s a lot of teams that like to be in the play-offs.”

Folkestone Invicta are the only Kent club competing in the Ryman League play-offs, although three of our sides are gunning for promotion into the top-flight of non-league football.

Dover Athletic, who grabbed fifth-place in the Skrill South, welcome runners-up Sutton United to Crabble on Wednesday night, before travelling to Gander Green Lane for Saturday’s Second Leg.

Ebbsfleet United have home advantage over third-placed Bromley on Wednesday night, before travelling to Bromley’s Hayes Lane on Saturday.

The Conference South play-off final to be staged at the club that finished the highest in the league on Saturday, 10 May.

Play-off games are tense, nervous affairs, but Cugley loves the chance to extend his club’s season.

“A lot of players have played in them.  You’ve got to enjoy every single minute of them,” said Cugley.

“We’re lucky to be in them.  No other Kent side (in the Ryman League) are in them are they?

“That’s what I’ve said to the players. Come on, we’re doing what no other Kent club are doing at the moment so that’s what you’ve got to take on board and enjoy them.”

Cugley wants the home fans to make home advantage count.
 
“We’ve got a great record at home and got a great bunch of fans that come every week,” he said.

“You’ve got a great thing to say to the players that if we win tonight, i.e. tomorrow, you’re at home again and I’m delighted with that one.”

Meanwhile, Simon Austin - Invicta’s popular player-coach - has been appointed manager of Southern Counties East side Erith Town ahead of next season.

Austin 33, returned to Folkestone last close season as a member of the backroom staff, but has been back in the squad for much of the season and has started a number of games recently, including the draw at Guernsey.

And the striker will leave Cheriton Road with a second league runners up medal - the first coming in the promotion season of 2009/10 when his goal won the final (2-1) against Chuck Martini’s Godalming Town.

Cugley told the club website: “Ausso’s a great lad, and has been a good man to have around this football club.

“I was delighted when he agreed to come back here last summer after things had not quit worked out for him in his first spell in management at Canterbury City.

“As with Justin Luchford (now Ramsgate manager), who did a great job as scout here, I was pleased to give Simon the chance to stay involved in the game until another managerial opportunity came his way.

“He’ll be with us for tomorrow’s play-off game - and of course if we make the final on Saturday - and for our end-of-season do the following weekend.

“We all wish him the best of luck for the future - as long as we don’t draw Erith in any of the cup competitions, of course!”

Austin originally joined Folkestone from Walton & Hersham, having also played for Maidstone United, Chatham Town and Horsham, for whom he played in their two epic FA Cup ties against Swansea City in 2007/08 - one of which was televised on Sky.

He also had a brief, but fairly successful spell with Hythe Town.