Patterson: Reserves must remain patient

Folkestone Invicta’s right hand man Mark Patterson insists the Ryman Premier League club can “achieve a lot” as they prepare for tomorrow’s FA Carlsberg Trophy second qualifying round tie with league rivals Billericay Town, writes Andy Bown & Tom Marchant - www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

He said: “I think we can still achieve a lot. As I said we need to take every game as it comes because the next game is the most important one.

“At the moment and this includes next month, we’re playing teams that we know if we play to our capabilities we’re more than able to beat, but we have to play to our capabilities.

“Look at the Hendon game a few weeks back: they didn’t have a win to their name but we had to graft a win out and it shows that there are no easy games in this League and the team has to perform every game”.

“Maybe with the games against Hendon and Staines we didn’t play particularly well but what we did do was defend resolutely and we got stuck in and we stood up and were counted.

“We’ve picked up a couple of injuries lately and when you haven’t got a massive squad like we have it’s very difficult because you end up having to move players round into positions they’re not accustomed with.

“We’ve picked up after a sloppy start where we weren’t looking like getting results but the encouraging thing is now we’re scoring a few more goals and when we do get the lead we look like holding on to it, which wasn’t the case at the start of the season.”

Invicta’s squad is looking slightly on the thin side at present with injuries to local players Micheal Everitt and Ben Sly reducing numbers further.

Both players are hopeful to be back in action very soon and both will have had talks with manager Neil Cugley at training this week about their impending return to the squad.

Everitt sustained a nasty wound above his eye against Ramsgate, whilst Sly is currently recovering from a gashed shin – the stitches were removed earlier in the week – an injury he incurred against Hendon in mid October.

Patterson said: “People can always say we need more quality in this and that position but take Ramsgate for example; they’re second in the League and not because they are full of superstars but because they’ve got a bunch of lads who work really hard for each other.

“We’ve got to take a leaf out of their book. We’ve got very similar players to them, we’ve got players who aren’t frightened of hard work and players who want to stand up and be counted.

“Over the next month if we can put together another run like we have had then we can push on up the League and get right up there.”

Patterson stated that the team spirit within the squad will be invaluable in the coming months to achieve that aim.

“We have a great bunch of lads to work with and they’re so keen and we never have any trouble from them.

“We’ve got a lot of young lads here and it’s important they are taught properly and with the likes of Adam Flanagan and Mark (Saunders) who have been round a bit, they’re a good example to the younger ones.

“Training is going great and it’s made easy for us because of the way the players conduct themselves and when they come in they know that we’re going to have a go and try our best.”

One of the latest young players to be knocking on the door of the first team squad is midfielder Simon Rainbow, who has been in impressive form for the reserve side in terms of performances and chipping in with a number of goals.

Patterson explained: “He played some pre season games for us and has since started scoring goals in the reserves and people are saying he’s done well, why isn’t he getting a chance in the first team? But his time will certainly come.

“Liam Friend got his chance earlier than people thought and he has since proved he can do it in the first team”.

He added: “Ben Sly and Joe Neilson are starting to get chances from the bench and trust me Simon will get his chance eventually because he has got a great future ahead of him. He just needs to be patient and not lose sight of the fact that he needs to continue to learn his trade in the reserves, but his time will come.”

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Folkestone Invicta v Billericay Town
FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 4^th November 2006
Kick off 3:00pm
At Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone