We've got nothing to lose and everything to gain, says Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley

FOLKESTONE INVICTA boss Neil Cugley says his side has nothing to lose and everything to gain when they travel to Ebbsfleet United in The FA Cup tomorrow.



The Second Qualifying Round clash at Stonebridge Road sees Invicta travel to Conference South draw-specialists Ebbsfleet United.

The Fleet are in fifteenth-place in The Skrill South, having drawn six of their first nine league games and are favourites to beat a Folkestone Invicta side that are in the bottom four in the Ryman League Division One South table, with two wins and two draws from their nine league outings.

Cugley told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “They’re two divisions higher than us, playing at home and have got some very good players.

“We’re a bit short too. Both Tim Roberts and Michael Yianni are cup-tied, Billy Elliott is suspended, Kingy (striker Stuart King) has gone and Jake Beecroft is unavailable through a long-standing commitment that I’ve known about since he signed for us.

“But we’re really looking forward to it.”

Cugley added: “It’s a chance for the younger lads to impress and for our more experienced players to enjoy a big occasion at the other end of their playing career.

“We’ve made almost £5,000 in prize money from the first two rounds and we’ll get a share of what should be a decent gate on Saturday.

“We’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain - even though we go into the game as massive underdogs.”

Cugley has told his players that they will have to play better than they did in Tuesday’s fairly disappointing 1-1 home draw against bottom of the table Eastbourne Town.

“We didn’t play the way we want to - our passing was poor on the night, and we know we can do much better than that,” added Cugley.

“But the experienced lads like Roland Edge, Micheal Everitt and Steve Harper will all be in the starting line-up - Edgey can’t wait after grabbing that late equaliser against Eastbourne the other night.

“Like I say, we’ve got nothing to lose and can just go out there and enjoy it.”

Nat Blanks is a ready-made replacement for the suspended Chris Elliott at left-back but it is in goal that Cugley has to make his most difficult decision.

Roddy Hayward - so long the loyal understudy to since departed Jack Delo - played well in Folkestone’s stirring replay 4-2 win in the First Round at Molesey, but exciting prospect Tom Hadler got the nod when
Folkestone beat Sussex County League Division Two outfit Eastbourne United 2-0 in Round Two a fortnight ago.

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk  

Ebbsfleet United  v  Folkestone Invicta
The FA Cup with Budweiser Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 28^th September 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9GN