I do know we've got to improve, says Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley says his side must start playing better – despite being unbeaten in the League and in second place after six games at the end of September.



Folkestone defeated Walton Casuals 3-0 at Cheriton Road yesterday to move level on points with Crawley Down Gatwick in the Ryman League Division One South table, with four wins and two draws.

Darren Marsden scored twice (his first from the penalty spot) and Liam Dickson scored the third against the Surrey outfit.

But Cugley admitted the injuries to key players have taken their toll and the side are not performing to their best.

“We’re still not firing anywhere near full cylinders really,” admitted Cugley.

“I’ve been disappointed with September,. We’ve not really played as well.  A few injuries and a bit of an illness in the camp and it’s sort of affected us really.

“I think the FA Cup defeat (at Badshot Lea) has knocked the stuffing out of us if I’m looking back.

“I’m pleased with the win (yesterday), joint-top of the table, so I should be pleased but we’re not playing anywhere near as we can.”

Cugley, who guided his side to the play-off’s last season, wants to finish in the top-five this season, but he admits it will be tough to bring in enforcements because he has spent his budget.

“I know we’ve got to play a lot better than we have done recently to get into the play-offs,” said Cugley.

“We’ve got to improve on our performances really. I don’t think we’ve really got going.  We’ve had a few injuries.  To be fair I’ve been very lucky over the last few years.  We’ve run on a tiny squad and I’ve got away with it but at the moment we’re not getting away with it!

“Edgy (Roland Edge) didn’t play yesterday, Lee Gledhill came off after 20 minutes, Josh Burchell had to come off at half-time and it really meant us putting on younger lads who are maybe not up to the standard required.”

When asked whether he can bring in some more senior players, Cugley replied, “I might have to try and do something because it is getting a little bit – we are talking to a couple. We haven’t really got any money.  I’ve spent my budget on the team that’s out there so it becomes awkward to do much else.

“We’ve got to do something because I have to put a team out on Tuesday.”

Folkestone Invicta banked only £1,500 for winning one FA Cup tie but they suffered a defeat at the first hurdle to League rivals Merstham in the FA Trophy.

“You’re all hoping to have a run in the Cup to ease the financial situation. A lot of teams are out of both Cups now in our league anyway aren’t they, so you can’t say we’re the only people in the position. There’s not many that’s qualified for all of them.

“We just have to get on with it, dig in and start playing better football.

Cugley takes his side along the coast to face Tim Dixon’s Ramsgate on Tuesday night.

Dixon, 46, revealed he regularly speaks to Cugley for advice and both managers are looking forward to facing each other.

Ramsgate thrashed Waltham Forest 4-0 at Southwood Stadium yesterday to book their place in the FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Qualifying Round to boost morale going into the coastal clash.

Looking forward to the big east Kent derby, Cugley said: “They’ll have a go won’t they? Timmy Dixon is a good friend of mine, a good manager and they’re a bit like us, a mixture of experience and youth.

“I think it will be a good game. If we can get something out of the game we can go top of the League so that’s what I will tell my players. Get something out of the game, go top.  I’m still not happy, so that would be nice wouldn’t it?

“Kingy (Stuart King) hasn’t scored for five games. He’s been so prolific for us so hopefully he’ll get his scoring boots on.”

Cugley added: “We’ll be alright. I’m a bit worried about the injuries for Tuesday but we’ll get on with it.

“Roland Edge didn’t play yesterday, he won’t be fit for Tuesday. I don’t think Burch will be fit. I don’t think Gled’s will be fit and Josh Vincent still hasn’t played for us this season yet.

“They’re four big players for us and take four players out of us it will make it a bit harder but there’s been good things.  Ryan Philpott who came out of our youth team has played the last two games and he’s played well and that’s a big plus.

“We do need a little bit more strength in depth if we are to compete with these other teams.”

But despite his injury problems, Cugley admitted it could be a lot worse – his side could be struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Cugley said: “I think it will be a strange League. I think it will be low points to get you in the play-offs this year because there’s so many teams that are about the same.

“There’s only Maidstone  I think and Leatherhead maybe, the rest of us are all much the same.

“Id’ like to get into the play-offs because we got there last year. If we don’t get in there this year you feel you’re going backwards and no manager likes that.

“If we can get into the play-offs again that will be brilliant for the club. That’s my aim to try and get into the play-offs, that would be nice .  We’re on course, we’re unbeaten at the moment, but I do know we’ve got to improve.”

Cugley takes his side to Dulwich Hamlet next Saturday – the side that defeated them in the play-off’s last season.

Gavin Rose sets his sides up as an attacking force but the south Londoners have suffered play-off heartbreak in the past couple of seasons.

Cugley added: “They’re both two big games. They’re both away and if we pick up points over those next two games then we can start seeing where we are.”

Visit Folkestone Invicta’s website: www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Ramsgate  v  Folkestone Invicta
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 2^nd October 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN