by Alex Hoad

Neil Cugley admits he is frustrated that Folkestone Invicta’s prospects for Ryman League Division 1 South’s opening day have been hit by a selection crisis.

Invicta begin life following last season’s relegation with the visit of Walton & Hersham to the Buzzlines Stadium but boss Cugley faces a headache due to suspension and unavailability.

Midfielder Darren Smith begins a three-match ban, left-back Josh Burchell is suspended for one game and midfielder Roland Edge and strikers Paul Jones and Richard Atkins are all unavailable.

James Everitt (pictured) is set to partner debutant Stuart King up front with Liam Dickson covering at left-back and Liam Friend in central defence, following the collapse of his move to Margate.

Cugley said: "Walton & Hersham is an important game and it would be nice to be able to have a full-strength team but we’ll just have to get on with it. I’m just hoping to get through the weekend.

"Hopefully, we get through unscathed and I’ll have a headache about who to include at Corinthian Casuals on Tuesday.

"It would be lovely to have a selection dilemma and be able to choose from 15 or 16 players."

The lack of numbers meant Cugley fielded a second-string side – including his two suspended players – in their final warm-up game against newly-formed Ashford United on Monday, a game which saw the hosts hand Folkestone a 6-0 drubbing.