Kentish Football 
We have to be at our best to beat Margate, admits Folkestone boss Neil Cugley
Monday 20th September 2010
FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley admitted he was pleased to come away from Horsham with a point - having scored four goals past them in the FA Cup seven days earlier, writes Stephen McCartney.
Cugley’s side knocked the Hornets out of the FA Cup with a 4-2 win at Cheriton Road but were held to a goal-less draw at Gorings Mead at the weekend.
“It weren’t too bad,” Cugley told www.kentishfootball.co.uk. “I felt they were the better side than us during the first half, obviously they made a lot of changes. I think five outfield players had changed from the week before and they were a bit stronger and harder to beat.
“I was pleased to go in at 0-0 at half-time but second half I felt we were the better side. I was a bit disappointed that a penalty wasn’t given fifteen minutes from the end and when the whistle went I was disappointed not to win it in the end as we were getting on top of the game.
“But a draw was a fair result over what’s gone on over the 90 minutes.”
It’s always tough to beat the same twice within seven days of playing them, as Cugley explained.
“It is really at this level as they were a lot stronger this time with a lot of experience there now. It was difficult and they had something to prove and the players they’ve brought in have got something to prove and that was the case really.”
Folkestone Invicta go into the east Kent clash with Margate at Cheriton Road on Tuesday night sitting inside the relegation zone with 6 points from seven games.
Margate, in 12th place, are the highest ranked Kent side in the Ryman Premier League table - but it’s early days at present.
“I keep saying it’s a difficult league,” said Cugley. “Margate, how can I put it politely, are financially, I think their in a nice position, if you know what I mean.
“It’s going to be a difficult game for us really. They have got some very good players and we have to be at our best to beat them.”
Cugley added: “The lads are very dedicated and I have no problem with that side of things. Whoever beats us will deserve to beat us and we give everything we can to win a game of football.”
Folkestone return to Cheriton Road on Saturday, welcoming Ridgeons League outfit Leiston in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.
The Suffolk side, in fourth place in their division with only one defeat in eight league games, will be leaving their ground at 9am to get down to Folkestone in time for the kick-off.
“It’s unusual for us to be favourites this season. There won‘t be many games where we are so it‘s going to be unusual,” admitted Cugley, whose side are two league’s above the Suffolk outfit.
“Looking at their record, they score a lot of goals, so we have to make sure we give them the respect. They’re at the top of their league, 10 games unbeaten so it will be a difficult game.
“I know a few of their players from Chelmsford and Sudbury and that so they will be a very good side, no doubt about that and as always we have to be at our best of form to go through.”
“The reports I’ve had so far from the people I know and I’ve spoken to have said they will be a good side so they’ll come here, with a nice ground and a nice pitch, they will be looking forward to it.
“They had a good record in the Cup beating Lewes or teams like that a couple of years ago so they won’t be that easy. No games are easy, we’re not a prolific goalscoring side ourselves so we have to work hard to get any wins.”
Although the Folkestone boss would like to avoid a midweek trip up to Suffolk for any replay, Cugley will take that if it means having a second bit of the cherry.
He said: “We don’t want to lose either so if you’re 2-0 down on Saturday and draw 2-2 I will be quite happy with that. If we travel and beat them up there so be it.
“Obviously we’d like to get it done and dusted at home. They’re in a lower league so we have to stamp our authority on the game.
“I think the FA Cup is a bit special and everyone wants to do well in it - players, managers, fans and chairmen. The longer we stay in it the better it is obviously.”
Cugley looks set to be without two influential midfielders, Rob Kember (thigh) and Micheal Everitt (the last of his three match ban) against Margate.
He added: “It’s going to be a bit of a problem but we’ll get on with it. I’ve said before we’ve got a tiny squad so there will be a couple of young lads on the bench.”
Visit Folkestone Invicta’s website: www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk
Folkestone Invicta v Margate
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 21st September 2010
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd