The chairman has said he will not cut my budget - Cugley

Wednesday 08th September 2010

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley says he is enjoying managing the club in the Ryman Premier League again - despite their tough start to the campaign, writes Stephen McCartney.

A Rob Kember chip ensured Invicta sealed their first league win of the season last night as they defeated Kingstonian by the only goal of the game.

“It was very enjoyable really, like a lot of the games,” Cugley told www.kentishfootball.co.uk, following the home success.

“The games have been good so far and this was no exception really to be fair.

“We started quite brightly, they got back into the game, hit the post. It was a difficult game. Rob Kember hit a great goal, 25-yards into the top corner, maybe a bit further out, and that was the turning point.

“We defended well, credit to Kingstonian, they are a good side, but I don’t think we’ll get as many clean sheets as we did last year as it’s a lot different.”

Reflecting on their 4-1 defeat up at Lowestoft Town last weekend, Cugley said: “I did feel on Saturday we looked a bit overawed by it, they were very experienced and physically strong and I didn’t think we coped very well.

“But last night the younger players came out and did everything we asked really in the sense off still feeling confident, they kept wanting the ball so that was quite pleasing.”

One place above the relegation zone with one win and two draws from six games, Cugley admits his side have a season of struggle ahead.

“I don’t think we’ll be too far off it (the relegation zone) all year,” he said. “It’s going to be a long, old slog. We’re going to do the best we can. I’m going to be honest, we’ve got a lot more points then I thought we would.

“We’ve had a really difficult start so I’m quite pleased with the players with the way they have coped with it, all apart a little while in the Lowestoft game - we’ve done alright!”

Folkestone Invicta lock horns with a Horsham side that are currently at the foot of the Ryman Premier League at least twice in the next week - at home in the FA Cup on Saturday and away in the league seven days later - and even possibly a replay sandwiched in between.

“I think it’s destined to be a draw, to play them 3 times in 7 days, don’t you think?” joked Cugley.

“It’s going to be difficult. I know Horsham haven’t started very well, but they’ve got a lot of experienced players and I’ll be shocked if their in the bottom four at the end of the season.”

“It’s going to be a hard game, so we’ll just go and enjoy it. It’s be a great experience for our players so hopefully we can go and win the game.

Beating Horsham will net the club £3,000 in prize money from The Football Association - but Cugley has revealed he will keep his squad in tact if they do go out to the West Sussex side.

“The chairman has definitely told me he won’t be cutting things if we get knocked out of the FA Cup. It’s rather important to us to continue the development of the players. We can afford what we’ve got so it’s nice to know.”

On the subject of money, Cugley knew all along the cash at rivals Croydon Athletic would not last.

He said: “To be polite, it doesn’t shock me, but it shocks me how quickly it faded. I sensed it wasn’t a straight club when they were getting 100 to watch but most times 50 to watch to afford players and run the club they can.

“We all felt 'good luck to them', they can do it that way, but obviously it’s been proved it wasn’t quite correct as it should have been.”

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

Folkestone Invicta v Horsham

FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Qualifying Round

Saturday 11th September 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU