The players are more than delighted the club has been saved, says Cugley

Friday 12th February 2010

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley says his players have put the club’s off-the-pitch problems behind them and have done their talking out on the pitch, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Cheriton Road outfit were deducted ten points by the Ryman League seven days ago and lost top spot to Croydon Athletic, but returned to the summit with their 2-0 win at Godalming Town in midweek.

“To be fair I thought they were very good on the day, the best side we‘ve played this season football wise,” Cugley told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“But pleased to say we scored the goals at the right times. That gave us a big lift to score early on when Liam Dickson scored his first goal for the club.

“To be fair to Godalming they played some really good football, but our defensive record is excellent, although they played well they didn’t really hurt us and we scored early on in the second half, which was perfect timing.

“We did the same really, we got numbers behind the ball and they didn’t trouble Jack (Delo) in goal at all.”

Folkestone (if you take the 10 point deduction) are now one point clear of money-bags Croydon Athletic at the top of the Ryman League Division One South table.

And the long-serving boss said: “I haven’t looked at the league table all year because it’s been so up and down! What I’ll probably do is look at it after the last game. We’ll keep going along, we’ll keep plugging along and what will be, will be.

The club are pulling out all the stops to ensure tomorrow’s game against Whyteleafe goes ahead, following the snow that fell in east Kent in the middle of the week.

“These sort of games we have to try and win and they will make it difficult for us,” said Cugley.

“Their manager said to me he hasn’t beaten us so hopefully that continues.

“It’s a very difficult league, there’s much of a muchness, there’s not many thrashings in this league so it will be very hard.”

Speaking about the attitude of his young players, Cugley said: “They’ve been superb really. “We’ve only got a tiny squad as you know and a lot of them are young and they’ve taken it in their stride.

“They haven’t asked me too much about it. I’ve just told them the other day what’s likely to happen and they’ve been ok with it. They just get on with it. I know they’re enjoying their football. They really all get on ever so well together and they’re more than delighted that the club has been saved and we can carry on and hopefully have the same team for next year as well.”

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

Folkestone Invicta v Whyteleafe

Ryman League Division One South

Saturday 13th February 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU