Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley wants his side to bounce back at Croydon Athletic after defeat to Dulwich Hamlet
Published: 09:40, 01 December 2011
Folkestone manager Neil Cugley made no excuses after his side were beaten 5-2 by Ryman League Division 1 South leaders Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday night.
"You have just got to say that Dulwich are a good side, with lots of pace," said Cugley (pictured) after watching his side become Hamlet’s latest victims at the Champion Hill Stadium where they have now won all nine league games this season.
"I didn’t think we played too badly but they had seven chances and scored from five – it’s hard to live with quality finishing like that."
Invicta opened the scoring when Josh Birchall capitalised on an error by the Dulwich keeper after 15 minutes but on the half hour, Hamlet struck back with two goals in three minutes from the impressive Sanchez Ming.
Folkestone were again competitive in the second half but twice more Dulwich caught them out on counter-attacks to lead 4-1 before Darren Smith pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after James Everitt had been fouled.
Dulwich then added a fifth goal in the dying seconds and Cugley added: "They are going to be right up there at the end of the season, there’s no doubt about that and you can say the same about Whitehawk, Bognor Regis and Maidstone.
"That leaves us aiming for the final play-off spot along with clubs like Worthing and Chipstead."
After losing 3-1 at home to Staines in the FA Trophy on Saturday, Cugley will be looking for his side to get back to winning ways at struggling Croydon Athletic on
Saturday.
Stuart King will make his first start for three months since having surgery on tendons in his arm. King and fellow striker Everitt have signed new extended contracts until the end of the 2012-2013 season.
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Luke Cawdell