Cugley pleased with pre-season fitness

FOLKESTONE INVICTA continue their pre-season campaign at home to Thamesmead Town tomorrow, writes Tom Marchant.

 

The Seasiders kicked off their round of pre season games against League One side Gillingham last weekend, with their Kent ally bringing a full first team squad to the Buzzlines Stadium.

Despite the Gills leaving 3-0 victors, Neil Cugley's men were far from disgraced.

Cugley, speaking to www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk said: “Gillingham were excellent on the day in the way they presented themselves but I thought we did well and to be fair they had 22 players and we had 15 or 16!

“It could've been easy for them to roll us over, especially second half but we dug in.

“I thought both of our goalkeepers played exceptionally and those sort of games are better as a centre half I think as when I look back to my centre half days, you were busier in those games and you had to throw your head in and you saw more action. It's very difficult to play up front in those games as you don't get much service.

“A year ago if you had put that side out against the Gills I think we would've been hammered but the young lads are starting to dig in and are standing up for themselves and lads like Burchy I thought had a good game against the Gills.

“I'm not saying we matched them because we didn't, but we weren't overrun by them and it was pleasing to see”.

Against the Gills, Cugs brought in two more promising youngsters from the club's successful youth setup – Sam Henson and Pete Williams.

“Sam is a lad who I like and he came on last year against Walton Casuals and what I've seen in training has impressed me. Pete is another who played at the end of last year and who has done alright in training and we're having a close look at him,” said Cugley.

And Cugley says his side have prepared well ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Ryman League Division One North side Thamesmead Town.

The Mead, expected to bring a squad of 16-17 players to Cheriton Road, will be without defender Lewis Tozer (swine flu), and returning goalkeeper Steve Northwood (wedding).

“We went out for a long run and worked hard throughout the session and I said to the players how impressed I've been with the work ethic they've shown me so far,” said Cugley.

“The fitness level they're showing at this stage is very good and with everything that is happening off the pitch it might have been used as an excuse not to knuckle down, but everyone has come in and worked really hard.”

Looking forward to the game itself, Cugley added: “I want to get us into that rhythm of playing twice a week as that's what happens when the season starts; it's usually six games in the first three weeks so it's important to get into that habit and training alongside the matches.”

League fixtures were released this week and at first glance, the Seasiders will welcome being at home on the traditional Boxing Day fixture (against Ashford Town) and again on Easter Monday (against Chatham Town). Invicta actually play Ashford Town and away over the festive period.

“It's a fairly difficult start as Dulwich will be one of the better sides,” warned Cugley. “Eastbourne finished last season well and Fleet will be play off candidates again.

“On the plus side, although we haven't got a lot of travelling in our league, we are getting rid of Eastbourne early, Burgess Hill and Fleet and that leaves only Worthing later on out of the teams furthest away.”

The Seasiders will be without Jimmy Dryden (away) and Jimmy Jackson (wedding). Liam Friend trained lightly on Tuesday but should be fit for Saturday along with Josh Vincent (ankle injury picked up in training) who missed the Gillingham encounter.

“In many ways the two Jimmy’s being away is not a bad thing as we need to be strong enough so we don't keep relying on those two,” said Cugley.

“At the end of last year I think most will agree they played a big part in us doing well. It's chances for lads like Billy Summerville and Ratty (James Everitt) to fill those gaps and that's what we'll be looking for.

“Micheal Everitt will be back in as he missed the Gills game through an engagement party and that means we can change things round which is good.

“Jack Delo (goalkeeper) will miss a couple of games soon and Kieron (Mann) will get a chance and that's what you want so we can keep testing players and trying out options.

“You look at our opponents Saturday and Tuesday (at home to Kent League side Norton Sports) and the games now will tell us more than the Gills one as we obviously won't be playing teams of their standard every week.

“You want to see how players do against teams in and around you. The results in pre season aren't that important as there are a lot of other things to be worked on but if you're involved in football you don't like to lose and you still want to win.”

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

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Folkestone Invicta  v  Thamesmead Town
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 18^th July 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm   
At Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU