Cugley condemns Powell's challenge on Dickson

Thursday 31st December 2009

FOLKESTONE INVICTA head into 2010 in buoyant spirits sitting proudly at the top of Ryman Division One South, seven points clear with a game in hand over second placed Worthing whilst boasting the best defensive record in the League, writes Tom Marchant.

Boxing Day saw Invicta take all three points from the derby showdown with Ashford Town with Frankie Chappell getting the only goal of the game at a wet Buzzlines Stadium in front of the League’s biggest crowd of the season.

Folkestone are due to play at Homelands this weekend but the somewhat fragile nature of the Nuts and Bolts pitch – which has seen numerous games postponed already this campaign – has led to many already questioning whether the match will go ahead. With the current weather forecast, Invicta boss Neil Cugley said it will “go right down to the wire”.

Speaking about the weekend’s encounter Cugley told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk “I thought we won fairly comfortably and we deserved to win by more than one goal. Credit to the players as it was a heavy pitch which makes trying to play football that bit more difficult.

“I was really pleased we got the three points though and I was manager there for seven years and you always like to beat sides you used to manage. On the day other results went our way as well so teams around us start to put more pressure on themselves. As I keep saying there is no pressure on our players, we just need to keep plugging away and keep doing what we’ve been doing.”

Tuesday night’s match against Chatham Town will have to replayed after it was abandoned with just over 10 minutes of play remaining.

Former Folkestone defender Mark Green suffered a freak injury, breaking his leg in three places after a tackle from Frankie Chappell.

“Fortunately you don’t see many of those injuries anymore and we wish Mark all the best in his recovery and he’s a nice lad,” said Cugley.

“Thanks must also go to Dave Williams and Micky Dix for doing what they could to help as he was out on the pitch for quite a while before the ambulance came.”

Moments earlier Liam Dickson was on the receiving end of a challenge from Ray Powell and whilst the latter was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card, Dickson is set to undergo a precautionary x ray and is likely to be sidelined for a couple of weeks.

“That was a very disappointing tackle and it should have been a straight red for their player,” said Cugley.

“Thankfully you don’t see many of those tackles these days and fortunately Dicko is off work this week which means he can get that leg up and rest it. He is a tremendously strong lad so hopefully he won’t be out for too long. He is a lucky as it could have been a lot worse.”

Jimmy Dryden also made his return to the side at Maidstone Road where he partnered James Everitt in attack. Simon Austin was unavailable due to a commitment arranged before he signed for the Club although he will be back in the squad this weekend.

“I was fairly comfortable as I thought we were the side that was looking more likely to score and we have picked up a few late winners already this season,” said Cugley. “First half Ratty (James Everitt) had a couple of chances and Jimmy Jackson had the one disallowed.

“Second half they came straight out the blocks and Jack’s had to make a good save. Their game plan appeared to be about hitting us on the break rather than attacking us directly.

“If it had finished 0-0 it wouldn’t have been a bad result; a draw away from home against a Chatham side who do have some good players.

“It was good to see Jimmy D back on the field and I thought he did alright. He’s been out for four months and to come straight back in like that was a big jump. He obviously needs to get fitter and sharper but it’s difficult when there has been no reserve games and match fitness is what he needs now.”

Observant Folkestone fans would have noticed midfielder Lee Spiller in attendance at Chatham on Tuesday night. Spiller is set to sign Kent and Ryman League forms for the Club this weekend.

“I’m as chuffed as anything he wants to come back and the only reason he left last season was to have an operation on his knee,” explained Cugley.

“Now he has had that sorted and got his football coaching business well established he wants to come back and start training with us again and playing in the reserves. He’s a great lad to have around, bubbly in the changing room and someone who has a lot of contacts as well. I know other clubs have been interested in him but he genuinely wants to come back to Folkestone.

“We have been very lucky that the midfield trio of Micheal Everitt, Jimmy Jackson and Darren Smith have hardly missed any games this season and we don’t have lots of cover beyond those three so Spillsy coming back in will certainly be a boost.”

As 2010 fast approaches, when Cugs was questioned what he wants for the New Year he mused, “I’m still very concerned by matters off the field and I hope everything can finally be sorted out as it is a real frustration. You look at on the field and things are going so well, to the extent that I know other clubs are very jealous of what we have achieved! Our disciplinary record as well is superb where we’ve only had 20 bookings so far and the players have been tremendous.”

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game

Ashford Town v Folkestone Invicta

Ryman League Division One South

Saturday 2nd January 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ