Staying fit will make a big difference, says Cugley

Wednesday 04th November 2009

FOLKESTONE INVICTA manager Neil Cugley is desperate that his threadbare squad can cope with the rigours of playing eight games in the next four weeks, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Cheriton Road outfit lost top spot in Ryman League Division One South table to Worthing last weekend, as they were without a game.

But looking ahead to Saturday’s trip to Corinthian-Casuals, Cugley, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, wants a clean bill of health for the month ahead.

“We’ve got a busy November really,” he said. “We’ve got some hard games coming up so at the end of November we’ll see if we’re good enough to be at the top.”

Back-to-back wins over Whyteleafe and Sittingbourne appear to have exceeded Cugley’s expectations and he takes his side to a Corinthian-Casuals side that go into the game sitting in the top nine.

“It’s always difficult up there,” warned Cugley. “They’re good going forward and they will score goals. It’s always a difficult game. It will test our excellent defence really.”

Folkestone’s defence have conceded only six goals in their first 12 league games this season, something that Cugley is very proud off.

And looking forward to the month ahead, Cugley added, “We’ve got so many games, I think it’s four midweek games in the next four weeks. We’ve got a tiny, very small squad and you desperately hope you don’t get any injuries or people going down with flu or anything as it would make a big difference to us.”

“We’ve got 12 (first team players), it’s very small but we can get by. We’ve got players who can come in and do jobs from the reserves or youth team or whatever. We get by but it is a worry as we’ve got so little numbers.”

Folkestone Invicta unveiled a new shirt sponsor and new kit last weekend - but Cugley doesn’t expect to see any of the money to add experience to his young squad.

“It’s just to keep the club going really, it’s still the ongoing problems and that will help that hopefully,” said Cugley, speaking about the club’s financial situation.

“I keep using the word ongoing because it is really. We turn up with a great bunch of players and train hard twice a week and we move on to the next game.

“We’re getting the results so it’s made it all worthwhile. We’ve got some good players so we can’t moan. I’m quite happy if we’re there or there abouts.”

Cugley had to ditch his experienced players when the club’s troubled times came to light before Christmas last year, but the end result has pleased the experienced campaigner.

“I’ve said before, when all of this came about last November, last December, it was a way I could see us going, mixing it with a couple of experienced heads with local lads and they learnt a lot last year,” explained Cugley.

“We went into pre-season knowing what our team was and it’s continued. I think we’ve only got (striker) Simon Austin at the moment who is new to the club now.”

Cugley revealed that injury plagued striker, James Dryden, is expected to start Saturday’s game in Tolworth on the bench.

He said: “He’s getting a little bit fitter each week, so he will sit on the bench and we will take someone else along with us and make another one on the bench and that will do.

“He’s had a knee problem and also an ankle problem at the same time.”

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

Corinthian-Casuals v Folkestone Invicta

Ryman League Division One South

Saturday 7th November 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At King George’s Field, Queen Mary Close, Hook Rise South, Tolworth, Surrey KT6 7NA