Cugley wants to win Rams battle

Friday 28th December 2007

Teenage centre back Frankie Chappell was the Boxing Day hero for Folkestone Invicta as his powerful second half header secured all three points for the Seasiders in a 1-0 victory over relegation rivals Hastings United at the Buzzlines Stadium.

Invicta went into the match with two changes from the side that left Wealdstone with a 3-1 defeat last weekend; combative midfielder Micheal Everitt replaced the injured James Corbett and left sided defender Liam Friend replaced the injured Roland Edge.

“I felt we should’ve scored earlier in the game, especially in the first half where we were creating chances but I was disappointed we didn’t put them away but at least we’re starting to look more dangerous in the final third,” said manager Neil Cugley, speaking to www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

“I was so glad for the win though because Hastings are in and around us and out on a limb so to speak because they’ve got injuries and they find it hard to attract players to travel down so far but they are definitely one of the teams we want to finish above at the end of the season.

“We had four excellent opportunities I reckon overall and really we should be taking at least two of those. At Wealdstone on Saturday if we’d had taken our chances I think we would’ve won the game but they are a good side and they punished us”.

The defeat at Wealdstone was indeed disappointing for Invicta after a 4-1 demolition of Horsham the week before.

A succession of squandered early chances proved to be costly as Wealdstone took the lead just after the half hour mark and went 2-0 up just before the hour leaving Invicta chasing the match.

Although Chappell pulled one back for his side with a well directed header from a Roland Edge free kick on 67 minutes, Wealdstone sealed victory with a third goal three minutes later.

Against Hastings it was Folkestone who had the overwhelming majority of the first half chances and who could’ve gone in at the interval several goals in front.

The first action was prolonged after Hastings midfielder Tim Olorunda launched into a reckless challenge on midfield maestro Mark Saunders leaving the home fans incandescent with rage as the opposition player received no caution from the referee after several previous fouls.

Folkestone’s match winner came after a series of attacks on the Hastings goal and a cross from the right by Kevin Watson was met with a fierce header by Frankie Chappell – his second in two matches – to put Invicta ahead on a sunny afternoon.

“I did think we would score eventually, especially from a set piece where we are looking dangerous at the moment as we’re putting quality balls into the box”, said Cugley.

“To be fair he (Chappell) had a good chance in the first half and it was cleared off the line. His goal Saturday against Wealdstone was a really good header too and he’s turning into a very important player for us and he’s coming up for set plays and scoring goals and it’s just what we need.”

Comparisons continue to be drawn between Chappell and the former Invicta captain Adam Flanagan who left the Club in the summer to sign for Ryman Division One North side Dartford.

Flanagan was a typical ‘no nonsense’ centre back who was strong in the tackle and a constant threat in the air and who proved to be Folkestone’s saviour on numerous occasions popping up with vital goals.

Cugley said: “Both him and Charlie Glyde are settling in at the Club and know what we’re about and even before we signed them we knew the potential they had and they’re starting to show it now.

“They want to work hard for me and the people around the Club and they’re great people to have in the team”.

Hastings showed a heightened attacking urgency after Folkestone had gone ahead but failed to really hit the target despite a number of efforts.

Luke Stonebridge dealt comfortably with the efforts of the visitors and recorded his first clean sheet of the season, deputising again for the injured Charlie Mitten.

“Luke’s getting on alright and he was better than on Saturday against Wealdstone,” said Cugley.

“He was talking more and was quicker off his line and these are the only things he needs to work on because his general goalkeeping and kicking is very good for a lad of his age.

“We just need to keep Luke ticking along; he doesn’t need too much pressure and if he keeps progressing he’ll be with us for a long time to come.

“I didn’t mind they (Hastings) were having a go from so far out because they had less chance at scoring but they did have some good opportunities that they maybe should’ve taken. On the whole though I was pleased with our defending”.

The only slight concern for Cugley on Saturday was the first half withdrawal of striker Leigh Bremner through injury, who was replaced by Damian Abel whose pace and harrying down the flanks caused the Hastings full backs difficulties all afternoon.

Cugley said: “Damian’s attitude has been spot on. It hasn’t been easy for him; I’ve left him out of a few games and I know he has been frustrated but he hasn’t chucked the towel in when some players may have and his attitude in training has been good.

“He showed the fans what he can give the team and he was very lively and played well and I hope he can do it consistently.”

Looking towards the weekend, the Seasiders make the trip up the coast to take on fellow Kent side Ramsgate at the Southwood Stadium.

Earlier on in the season at the end of August, Ramsgate inflicted a 3-0 defeat on Folkestone at the Buzzlines Stadium and the corresponding fixture last season saw Invicta leave Ramsgate with another 3-0 defeat.

In that match, industrious midfielder Micheal Everitt was taken to hospital at half time with a nasty cut above his right eye which required seven stitches and the local lad bares the scar today.

Ramsgate travelled the short distance to Hartsdown Park on Boxing Day to take on Margate, a match which ended in a 1-1 draw in front of a crowd in excess of 1,500 people.

Including the result against Margate, the Rams have drawn their last three matches in the Ryman Premier League 1-1, against AFC Wimbledon (home) and AFC Hornchurch (home).

“The most important thing is that we can show we can battle and fight because they’re a big, strong side and they play to their strengths and you’ve got to compete with them and if you don’t then you get rolled over.

“They’ve done exactly that in the last three meetings and earlier in the season we lost the fight a little bit but now we’re playing well and it should be a good game.

“Jim Ward has moulded a very good team and created some very good players from nothing really and obviously we don’t have a good record against them but I want to change that Saturday”.

Invicta will give late fitness tests to Edge, Corbett and Mitten whilst the Folkestone boss remains hopeful Bremner will be able to take his place in the squad on Saturday.

"A lot of teams will have players out at this time of the year but it's a credit to the players like Micheal Everitt and Liam Friend who came in against Hastings and did such great jobs and who ensured we remained solid and got the three points."

Article courtesy of Tim Marchant and Andy Bown – www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Visit club websites:

www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk

www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Ramsgate v Folkestone Invicta
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 29^th December 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN