Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley has defended young striker Johan Ter Horst after his mistake which led to Maidstone’s first goal in a 2-2 draw between the sides at the Gallagher Stadium on Tuesday night.

Ter Horst lost the ball on the halfway line in the build-up to Ade Olorunda putting the Stones 2-1 ahead.

Cugley said: "The boy was a bit down in the dressing room after the game, but I told him he is playing Saturday, don’t worry about it.

"It is all about him learning for next year and he will come back stronger, I am sure. In an ideal world, you would try and rest somebody like him, who is only 17, for a couple of games.

"We’ll keep playing him, because that is the way he will learn. He is a good player and if he gets a chance, he’ll put it in."

Striker Richard Atkins is unavailable for the home game against Ramsgate on Saturday while defender Phil Stevenson completes a three-match ban. Invicta travel to Leatherhead next Wednesday.

Cugley said: "Being without Richard means I will to have to work out what sort of formation we play. We went with 4-3-3 on Tuesday but it’s something I will have to think on.

season.
"We are looking to go out and enjoy every game we play and if we do get to the play-offs it will be a bonus, considering what we have been through this