Cugley rues bad luck

After producing a convincing performance away at Hampton and Richmond Borough on Saturday, but coming home defeated by a goal to nil, Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley was keen to take the positives from the performance his side produced at the Beveree Stadium, writes Andy Bown & Tom Marchant - www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

"We played extremely well Saturday and it was so disappointing to lose and you could see that on the players faces after the game," said Cugley.

"In fact I think we played better that game than we did in the two previous home games where we won but that’s how football is unfortunately.

"We are getting the ball down far more consistently and we are playing the ball on the ground and still getting the ball directly up to the strikers.

"Jimmy Corbett has come into the team recently and he’s a quality player and Luke Howell has the experience of a professional behind him and he plays the ball on the ground properly and the whole team just seems more comfy on the ball now."

The Seasiders conceded a goal in the 78 minute; centre back Rob Paris heading Hampton ahead from a free kick taken by Elliot Godfrey.

Cugley said: "Sometimes you’ve just got to give some credit. The ball that was put in from the free kick was quality and it was a superb header to be fair and although you’re always disappointed when you concede, sometimes you’ve got to give credit where it’s due."

Folkestone created chances themselves and the Invicta boss said: "It’s disappointing to say that we had a fair few chances and still lost and if we had taken those then the game would’ve been dead and buried. They fell at the perfect times; one half way through the first half and then Luke Howell missed a great opportunity at the start of the second half".

Recent signing from Hythe Town Damian Abel was included in the starting eleven on Saturday, the striker making his fifth appearance for the club after serving a suspension picked up playing for Hythe.

Cugley said: "To come out of the Kent League and adapt as quickly as he has is really encouraging and he’s making more intelligent runs even in the few games he has played for us and we’re really pleased with him.

"It was a gamble for him and us to bring him to the club because with the finances as they were we had to bring a few more local players in to replace those that left but things seem to be working out.

"It’s very important that supporters don’t expect too much from him too soon because he’s made a big jump but I know he’ll get better and better with time and experience.

"The main reason for that is that his is attitude is so good; he really works hard in training and I know for a fact he goes off training on his own which is the sort of dedication you need at this level to improve."

Saturday’s match marked Steve Norman’s last game for the Cheriton Road club, after being at the Buzzlines Stadium for two years.

The Left-wing back played a vital part in a solid defensive unit and with a good left footed strike weighed in with his share of goals whilst with Invicta.

Cugley explained: "There were two reasons why Steve wanted to leave: firstly it’s closer to home for him and that is a big factor because it’s cutting out two hours of his travelling time when he was coming to Folkestone.

"Secondly Dartford are on the up; they’ve got some money behind them and have a super new stadium and you can never underestimate the power that has in attracting new players.

"I also think it’s even more of an incentive for us to aim to keep moving forward and to show our ambitions because there are clubs around Kent which are progressing and it’s going to be harder and harder to keep players if we don’t show them some reasons to stay".

Cugley also explained how the rules and regulations worked with regard to player contracts, saying, "There are only a few players at the club like Norms and Kess who aren’t on contract with the club and those that are contracted are tied to the club and it’s harder for another club to get them.

"If another club finds out that a player is on non contract terms and they are interested in them then they can put a seven day approach in for them and in this case we told Norms about it and he has a right to talk to Dartford.

"He was really interested in going to Dartford unfortunately so there is nothing you can do. Steve was so consistent for us and he weighed in with his share of goals so it’s disappointing to see him leave".

With the departure of Norman, Invicta remain thin on numbers in the defensive department, a problem compounded by suspensions which often start to take their toll at this time of the season.

Cugley said: "I’ll have to bring in a defender because the numbers are getting stupid! Adam Flanagan is suspended against Boreham Wood, Kevin Watson is suspended for the game after that and then there’s Liam Friend who we can’t say is a definite for Saturday yet so now we’re down to a minute squad and we can’t continue like it.

"I’m trying to get someone in for Saturday just to fill the boots but left backs are hard to come by but I’ve made a couple of phone calls and hopefully we’ll have someone in for Saturday."