The players have exceeded my expectations, says Cugley

THREE wins out of three has given Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley all the reasons he needs to be optimistic in his side’s preparations for the visit of the League leaders this Saturday when Kingstonian make their way to the Buzzlines Stadium, writes Tom Marchant.

The Ks have stolen the top spot away from Cray Wanderers after Ian Jenkins’ men had previously put together an eight match winning streak, but this weekend’s opponents have made up ground by winning three out of their last four matches and they still have a game in hand on their promotion seeking rivals.

"We played a top side the other week in Cray and I didn’t feel we played that well and we let ourselves down a bit," said Cugley, when speaking to www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

"I’m hoping this week we can show we’re better than we were against Cray and that we show more confidence and are more exciting further up the pitch against another top side.

"The next four games aren’t big for the club in the sense we can go up or go down but for our players they are important.

"We’ve got Kingstonian, Dulwich, Ashford and Fleet; four good sides there and two of them away. They will represent a good test for our young lads in particular to show they can compete at this level."

Invicta continued their winning ways last weekend in impressive style with an 8-2 demolition of lowly Crowborough Athletic. Gillingham youngster Jacob Arnold-Smith grabbed a hat trick and Josh Vincent grabbed a brace, with both Jimmy’s (Dryden and Jackson) and Frankie Chappell also getting on the scoresheet.

"We’re obviously very pleased to have the lad Jacob from Gills and he’s worked his socks off, got in the right positions and deserved his hat trick" praised Cugley.

"Credit to Crowborough who are letting him have the match ball and it will be presented to him this Saturday.

"It wasn’t like their goalkeeper had a poor game as we played very well and I hope we take that confidence into the matches coming up.

"I thought Jimmy Dryden was absolutely superb and he was involved in nearly every goal we scored. He led the line like we’ve been asking him to and the last month he has done ever so well, even with an injury.

"JV’s goals were from open play which is pleasing as it means you’re keeping the ball further up the field and your wing backs are getting involved in the game and I’m pleased with him as he’s done very well again. He’s a big part of what we’re trying to achieve at the club.

"Jacko has been absolutely outstanding all season and has been great to have around the Club. I think people can see how much Burchy has improved as he plays right next to him in the team. If he wasn’t admired enough in Kent football before he came here, what a signing he has been for us and he has played a big role in how we’ve turned round our season."

Victory away at Crowborough followed a hard fought 1-0 win over Eastbourne Town and a 2-0 defeat of Merstham – both sides who were above Invicta in the League, although Eastbourne have slipped slightly.

"Looking back over the last three matches, the players have even exceeded my expectations, they’ve been brilliant and have really kicked on in the ways we‘ve hoped they would," added Cugley.

Cugley remains hopeful that recent injury concern James ‘Ratty’ Everitt will be fit for this weekend’s clash after suffering with a hamstring problem although centre half Liam Friend will face a late fitness test.

"It would be great if we had him (Everitt) back in the squad as it would be a real bonus – I’d be very shocked if he didn’t make the squad on Saturday. I think we brought him back a bit too early though before when we needed him.

"We trained (this week) and Burchy, Ratty, JV and Friendy all didn’t train because of injuries and out of them the main worry is Friendy. You expect players to pick up these stress injuries as we’ve played a lot of games and because we’re so limited in numbers, it’s the same players week in week out and we’re pushing them to keep playing and to keep winning.

"It’s ironic in some ways that people like Jacko, Smithy and Dryden are still coming through the games but as players mature and get stronger they get used to it that bit more."

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Folkestone Invicta v Kingstonian
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 4^th April 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU