Folkestone Invicta looking to cause an upset by knocking Kent rivals Margate out of the FA Cup
Published: 00:00, 10 September 2014
Folkestone Invicta meet big-spending Kent rivals Margate in the pick of the FA Cup ties this weekend.
The clubs are one division apart but Gate owner Bob Laslett’s financial backing means the men from Thanet are on a totally different level to Invicta.
But for 90 minutes at the Fullicks Stadium, they meet as equals and Folkestone manager Neil Cugley is plotting another upset to add to his extraordinary CV.
He said: "We couldn’t have got a harder draw than Margate but we’ll have a good go. We’ll relish it and enjoy it.
"I’ve heard rumours that one of their players earns what the whole of our team’s on. That’s what we’re up against but there’s nothing to lose and we’re looking forward to it.
"It’s a difficult game, and most times we would lose, but who knows?
"Terry Brown (the Margate manager) is a good man. I know he’s got money to spend but you’ve still got to spend it wisely."
Promotion is on the agenda for both clubs this season but while Margate have a big transfer kitty to fall back on, Folkestone won’t be able to make any significant additions to their squad until they’ve finished paying off their CVA in early 2015.
Cugley said: "It’s all about getting closer to real financial stability. When we won in the last round, that gave us some money and this time we can make some money even if we don’t win the game."
Prize money of £3,000 awaits the winners of Saturday’s first qualifying round tie.
Folkestone will be missing Matt Newman and Roland Edge, while on-loan Charley Robertson’s parent club Maidstone are unlikely to let their player become cup-tied. Paul Booth (groin) is also a doubt, meaning Jordan Wright could be handed his chance to shine.
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Steve Tervet