Promotion this year would be the highlight of my career, says Cugley

Friday 12th March 2010

TABLE-TOPPING Folkestone Invicta go into tomorrow’s game with Leatherhead on the back of yet another 1-0 win in midweek over Eastbourne Town – the 10th occasion this season that Neil Cugley’s side have won by that score line this season, and their 17th single goal win of what is proving to be an amazing season for the Cheriton Road club, writes Mike Green.

Such has been Invicta’s success this season that even with a ten-point penalty for entering administration, they still head the table by a point from Croydon Athletic and Worthing, although the Surrey side do have two games in hand.

Speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, whilst watching Ramsgate beat Ashford in midweek (Invicta go to Homelands next Wednesday), Cugley admitted, “I don’t mind winning 1-0 again – after all it’s the winning isn’t it. But I am a bit disappointed that we’re not getting more goals and giving our fans a little bit more excitement.

“But whatever way you look at it, it’s a tremendous achievement for the lads at the back and Jack (Delo) in goal to have this record.”

Next up for Cugley’s side are Leatherhead on Saturday – a side that as Cugley said “are on a roll at the minute – they’re in the middle of a good spell of form, its going to be a hard game and its going to be up to us to try and break them down, and if I’m honest we’re not the greatest at doing that at the moment!

“The players have been brilliant all year anyway and they’ve taken everything that’s been thrown at them probably for the last 18 months or so since the majority of them came into to the side a year ago last November, so fair play to them for the way they’ve come through it all.”

Whilst Cugley was forced into a rare change on Tuesday, the manager was full of praise for the “youngster” who stepped in.

He said: “Jimmy Jackson missed out Tuesday’s win over Eastbourne, but Lee Spiller took his place and did a brilliant job for us in his first game for about two years. But he did have to come off after an hour with cramp.

“But he’s a good lad; he’s been coming along to help and to be part of the club – got a lot of time for him, he’s tremendous.

“We’re also still without Simon Austin as he’s still suspended, but Brendon Cass has come in and been absolutely brilliant for me. I tried to get him in the summer but now he’s here he’s done well and got a couple of winning goals already.”

Given that the long serving Cugley has just about experienced everything during his managerial career, he confessed that success this year would top almost everything else he’s achieved in football.

He said: “With everything that’s been thrown at me this year, making the play-off’s or even going straight up would be the highlight of my career.

“We had some tough times when I was at Ashford when I first took over there – in the end we had some great times there too – but I would have to say that this one has been most difficult and the way people have responded has been absolutely brilliant.

“I’ve kept going hoping that there’s light at the end of the tunnel, and when there has been, it’s been all worth while!”

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

Folkestone Invicta v Leatherhead

Ryman League Division One South

Saturday 13th March 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU