Referee's have to earn respect, fumes Cugley

A GOAL a piece for James Dryden and Jimmy Jackson earned Invicta a point against Croydon Athletic on Tuesday night in a 2-2 draw at the Buzzlines Stadium, with the hosts victims of poor decision making by the officials with James Everitt and Matt Bourne both dismissed in bizarre circumstances, writes Tom Marchant.

For the Seasiders, it was a chance to put the misery of the weekend’s display at Leatherhead behind them. Invicta’s travelling contingent also looked forward to better fortune after serious motorway delays meant fans didn’t return to Folkestone until 10pm on Saturday.

Speaking to www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk about the 3-2 defeat in Surrey, Folkestone boss Neil Cugley labelled the display as “the poorest of the season” by his side.

“We looked tired and Leatherhead were sharper than us and quicker to the ball,” bemoaned Cugley.

“We seemed to lack a bit of confidence, perhaps because we’d lost to Chatham in the week but we had to get on with it.

“I apologise to the fans for the performance, especially after their journeys home and although criticism is sometimes hard to take, it was fully deserved on Saturday.”

A late goal from Dryden and an exquisite free kick form Jackson gave Invicta hope of clinching a draw, but it was the proverbial “bad day at the office” for the Seasiders.

“Charlie (Mitten) has gone up there as well and the last ten minutes or so we did throw everything at them to try and get something but we weren’t good enough. It was a bad day all round really as we had a bit of trouble getting there and obviously a bad time coming home.

“I wasn’t happy and the players knew where I stood. We trained on Monday as I was so angry and because the performance wasn’t acceptable – we mustn’t drop to those standards again.

“The players realise that and I said to them after Saturday’s match that if any of them didn’t want to be with us, work hard for the club and have a go for me then they could see me Monday night and they could go. No one came to my office, we had an enjoyable session and got it out of our system”.

Midfield powerhouse Micheal Everitt returned to the Folkestone midfield in place of Scott Lindsey against Croydon Athletic, and his younger brother slotted in alongside him with Jimmy Corbett partnering Dryden in attack.

“We changed things because we didn’t win the midfield battles on Saturday. Putting the two Everitts in there with Jacko gave us a lot more energy in there,” explained Cugley.

“I felt since Pughy (Andy Pugh) has gone we’ve not been the same side and putting Corbs (Jimmy Corbett) up there I think worked quite well and with his touch we can start getting it down again and playing football.

“We’ve got to get the ball back down and since he (Pugh) left we haven’t been the same side. Sometimes you don’t realise how good certain players are until they’ve gone and he’s gone straight back into the Gillingham squad and it shows how good he is.”

Folkestone were reduced to ten men only ten minutes into the match as James Everitt was sent off instantly for a perceived foul on No. 10 Sam Clayton.

If that’s a sending off then every time players go in for tackles there would be red cards all over the place. He’s gone in, his leading leg caught him a bit and it’s a booking and a talking to, that’s all. Even their manager has looked at me and said ‘what’s that for?’ and he was as shocked as me.”

The Seasiders also lost centre half Matt Bourne minutes before time, as frustrations on the terraces at the officials intensified.

“I think that’s perhaps the worst decision I’ve ever seen,” fumed the boss.

“I felt the referee wasn’t switched on at all and it was a very, very poor decision again. If you’re going to be really harsh the James Everitt one you could just about see at a push but with Bourney it was a free kick to us and he’s just pushed their player out of the way to get on with the game.

“I think everyone was absolutely amazed, even their manager was – again. Mev (Micheal Everitt) had just come off at the time and he was in line with what was happening and he said it wasn’t a sending off and you don’t get more honest than Mev.

“I’m afraid the officials this year have been very poor and I don’t just mean for us. You go back to Chatham where their keeper has got sent off and stupid things like that. The standard hasn’t been very good and I’ve been in non league for 35 years now and I think it’s the poorest I’ve seen them.

“They talk about respect but they must earn it and I’m usually placid with referees and officials but I’m getting more uptight that I ever have been.”

Invicta had gone in at the interval 1-1 after Dryden had pulled a goal back, heading in after Micheal Everitt had headed the ball back across goal following a short corner from the right. Croydon Athletic then scored early in the second half after Charlie Mitten had saved from former Gravesend & Northfleet player Mark De Bolla, for Danny Waldren to power home.

“Croydon aren’t doing very well but you look at the players they’ve got; De Bolla, Simon Osborn, the lad that scored Waldren and they are good players. Charlie has made a good save and it’s then fallen to Waldren who can hit a ball and he’s driven it in and I thought it was against the run of play and it was a bit of a gift for them.

“After that we dug in again and things we talked about which we lacked Saturday – commitment, attitude and hard work – came through. After the first sending off we didn’t change things and the idea was to keep at them. We kept the two up front, left just Micheal in there with Jacko and I thought both of them performed tremendously.”

It was Jackson who came up with Folkestone’s equaliser, and he and the other Jimmy (Dryden) have now scored all of Invicta’s goals since the 2-0 victory over Metropolitan Police at the end of September.

Jackson’s run from the edge of the home penalty area, culminating in a wonder strike from 25 yards will be a sure contender for goal of the season.

“It was one of the best goals I have ever seen. He won’t get credit for his goal on Saturday because we lost but that free kick was sheer quality to curl it in from there,” praised Cugley.

“Bourney has done well and won the header, its broke to Jacko and he’s run 60 yards and Jimmy Dryden has made a run across their defence, stretched them and created the space and it was a great strike, one we haven’t seen at Folkestone for years. You can’t take away the number of goals he’s (Jackson) got already and he’s done us proud.”

Asked whether Invicta had already seen goal of the season Cugley responded, “Goal of the last ten seasons! It was a one off, the run and the movement around him was excellent. After that it was a bit disappointing we couldn’t force a winner but after Saturday it was very important to show what we’re about again.”

Cugley withdrew left wing back Mark Green from the action after he was suffering with a groin problem although in his hour of action the manager described his performance as “one of his best games so far”.

Several of Invicta’s squad are currently nursing minor injuries and the break from League action this weekend has come at the right time as they look to shake off knocks and prepare for the visit of Walton Casuals next weekend. Remarkably, in a frantic start to the campaign Folkestone have already played 17 matches.

Lee Spiller’s knee operation has been postponed until early next week, after the midfielder required a further scan due to serious swelling around the knee. He is due to have the op early next week, with a return to light training predicted a fortnight after and a return to action a further two weeks later.

The Folkestone boss will be attending the 1st Round of the Kent Intermediate Cup at Cheriton Road this Saturday where the reserves take on VCD Athletic, where youngsters Josh Burchell, Billy Swallow and Josh Vincent should all feature. Kieron Byrne is also likely to play after returning from holiday.

Liam Dickson has another fortnight remaining on his loan at Herne Bay and his progress is being closely monitored. Dickson has already played three matches for Bay, including featuring in their 3-2 defeat by Hythe Town last night and the young centre back is due to play this weekend. Whether the loan period will be extended has yet to be decided although if it was, under F.A rules Invicta would then have the right to recall him whenever they wished.

Folkestone play Herne Bay in a friendly at the Buzzlines Stadium next Tuesday evening.

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk