Cugley slams Whyteleafe over postponement

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley slammed Whyteleafe over the postponement of their game at Cheriton Road on Tuesday night, writes Tom Marchant.

After a dominating performance in an entertaining match against Fleet Town at the weekend, Invicta were understandably keen to build on their momentum and pick up more points at Cheriton Road against Whyteleafe.

The failure of one set of floodlights at the Buzzlines Stadium led to the postponement of the game although the match officials and those in black and amber were keen to see the game go ahead.

“That set of floodlights were burnt out and there wasn’t much we could do about it unfortunately, it was one of those things and it was too big a job for Dave Williams to look at! Fortunately we do have someone in the Supporters Club who we hope can help us sort it out,” Cugley told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

“To be fair to the ref he said to me when they went out there was enough light to play which we were pleased with. The referee’s assessor was also there and the ref changed his mind in the sense he gave them (Whyteleafe) the option and they said no whereas we were raring to play and there’s buzz about the place at the minute and we want to get out and perform.

“I can see both sides from their point of view in that they’ve come a fair way but I also knew they had players out and they took the option not to play and I’m sure their manager was making the decision in the best interests of their club – whether I would have made the same decision I’m not sure. But the referee wanted both sides to agree with his decision to go ahead but unfortunately I was the only one that agreed with him.”

At the weekend, only the woodwork and heroics from the Fleet ‘keeper kept Folkestone at bay on a goalless Saturday afternoon.

“The players are improving, we’re defending a lot better and I thought we played well and we still had Jacko (Jimmy Jackson) and Corbs (Jimmy Corbett) to come back in so we can’t be far short. I keep using the word consistency but it’s the key thing we’ve got to get right and when we do, you start to think just how far this side could go.

“Our luck will change in front of goal and we’ll keep working at it. We were clearly the better side on the day and Charlie has had to pull off a couple of saves as well but their keeper was busy most of the time.

“We just needed a bit of luck in front of goal where their keeper has saved everything or the post has and on other days we could have got 3 or 4 goals which shows how far we’ve come in a few weeks. Fleet are on a hell of a good run and on Saturday they were hanging on to get a point.”

Recent signing Darren Smith from Chatham Town made his full home debut after being forced to withdraw from the action last Tuesday during the first half after a nasty knock on the elbow.

And Cugley said: “He is a class player who keeps the ball well and does the right things and like Jacko he’s good for the younger ones to learn off. His delivery at set pieces was superb and one of the other disappointments at having last night’s match called off was that he is unavailable Saturday and we didn’t get the chance to play both of them together.

“Once you get both of them playing together, whipping balls in, it should be very good. We were going to change the system slightly to accommodate that and it’s a shame we didn’t get the chance to.”

Smithy is attending a wedding this Saturday – a commitment made prior his move to Cheriton Road – although Jimmy Jackson comes straight back into the squad to face Chipstead at Surrey after missing last weekend’s game against Fleet, also attending a wedding!

Folkestone defeated Chipstead 2-1 at the Buzzlines earlier on in the season in a thoroughly entertaining encounter in arguably one of the best Invicta attacking performances of the season.

“I think at home their style of play is slightly different compared to how it was when they came to us and I think they are more direct in their approach and it’s a smaller pitch there and there are certain things we’ll need to be aware of if we’re to come home with the points”.

In addition to the longer term injuries of Jimmy Corbett (Achilles) and Billy Swallow (ankle ligaments), Kieron Byrne (knee) and youngster Jon Driscoll (thigh) will face late fitness tests.

“I’ve very much enjoyed the last few weeks and I know its been difficult and we’ve got over the situation but it has been tremendous how the lads have responded and the attitude and commitment they have showed to the Club has been superb. They have made it a pleasure to work with them and I know Scott Lindsey and Mick Dix feel the same.

“With these players I believe there is a great future for the Football Club; they’re local and I just think they’ve been a tremendous bunch to work with. In training they’ve been excellent and they’ve come in and are willing to listen and learn. If we can look longer term we’ve got a good side down here and if we can get the off the field side sorted then there’s no reason why we can’t kick on

“The next few weeks we’ve got some very difficult games which will be a good test to see how far we’ve come and whether we can get that consistency into our games which is what I’m look for and it is starting to come.”

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Chipstead v Folkestone Invicta
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 13^th December 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At High Road, Chipstead, Surrey CR5 3SF