Kentish Football 
Neil Cugley hopeful to make new signing announcement next week
Thursday 14th October 2010
NEIL CUGLEY says it’s about time that his Folkestone Invicta side enjoyed a run in the FA Carlsberg Trophy, writes Stephen McCartney.
The Kent side welcome Ryman League Division One South side Worthing to Cheriton Road on Saturday in the First Qualifying Round and Cugley is expecting a tough game against Chris White’s side.
“A lot of their players went from Horsham YMCA to them last year, the manager took nearly all their side and to be fair we had a couple of good games against Worthing last year,” Cugley told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.
“Horsham YMCA had a good run last year so I think it will be a fairly close game really.
“Worthing’s facilities and the gates are good, they could well be a Ryman Premier League club really.
“We have to take our game to them, but that’s not always our strength, I’ve got to be honest.
“Folkestone have never done well in the FA Trophy, and that’s when I was even a player over there years ago, and we’ve never had a good run in it as a manager.
“It would be nice as there’s some money involved in it and if we get through this one we’ll be a stronger squad by the time the next round comes around in two weeks ago.”
Cugley revealed he is close to bringing in a new striker, saying, “It’s ongoing. Hopefully I will have an announcement, but it won’t be for this Saturday, not yet.
“It’s a bit frustrating as I’ve got Paul Jones, Rob Kember, Olly Bartram and James Dryden out injured. It’s a bit disappointing as they’re big players for us.”
A Darren Smith volley sealed a morale boosting 1-0 win at Cray Wanderers last weekend, a result that ended Ian Jenkins’ side seven match unbeaten run in the Ryman Premier League, and Cugley’s side climbed out of the relegation zone.
“It was a good victory as they’re a good side,” reflected Cugley. “They were on a good run and are a good footballing side and I thought we worked really hard and even their management team said that we deserved to win, which is really pleasing.
“It’s about getting consistency about getting enough quality from our players to win games.”
Folkestone Invicta followed that up with a Championship Manager Cup tie against amateurs Croydon Athletic last night, which the Kent side won 4-2 on penalties after the game finished 2-2 after extra time.
Cugley said: “It was alright, If I’m being honest. Two fairly, what I think, were young sides that gave everything they could with a bit of quality lacking if I’m being honest, but you know, it was alright.”
Folkestone made the 142-mile round trip to play the game at Thornton Heath on Wednesday night - but a meagre crowd of just 69 turned up.
Cugley gave Ryman League officials some advice on how they can bring some interest back into the dying League Cup competition.
“I’m disappointed they didn’t regionalise it even better,” he said. “For us to go to Croydon on a Wednesday night isn’t the best of trips. I notice a couple of others, Whitstable had to go to Tooting and Eastbourne Town went to Carshalton.
“I think they should regionalise it better then you’d get bigger crowds.
“We lost money going to Croydon and that shouldn’t be the case. I think the whole thing should be regionalised, keep it within your counties a little bit more and make it a bit better.
“We ended up getting home after one o’clock for a midweek game and I think it’s ridiculous really.
“For them to get the crowds, I know it might be difficult to regionalise it all the way down in little groups of six or seven or something like that and you’re not travelling far. There will be better games if you’re playing local sides, even if you’re not playing a full strength side, people will come to the games.”
Visit Folkestone Invicta’s website: www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk
Folkestone Invicta v Worthing
FA Carlsberg Trophy First Qualifying Round
Saturday 16th October 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd