Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley relishing the big matches ahead of crunch time in the season
Published: 05:00, 03 March 2022
Updated: 08:45, 03 March 2022
The big games keep on coming for Folkestone - and that’s just the way boss Neil Cugley likes it.
Invicta have moved back into the Isthmian Premier play-off places after two victories in the space of three days.
They did the double over Bognor, Alfie Paxman’s penalty earning a 1-0 home win last weekend, before they beat strugglers East Thurrock 3-1 on Tuesday. Paxman scored his third in as many games, another penalty, while striker Ade Yusuff and defender Matt Newman were also on target.
Cugley’s visit play-off chasing Kingstonian this Saturday.
There is then a Velocity Trophy quarter-final for Invicta - who have reached the same stage in the Kent Senior Cup - to look forward to on Tuesday when they welcome Isthmian North strugglers Barking, second-bottom in their league, to Cheriton Road.
“Every game is going to be big,” admitted Cugley.
“It’s either a quarter-final or a big game in terms of who makes the play-offs.
“But that’s what I do my job for, that’s what it’s all about.
“Let’s see where we are in seven or eight weeks’ time.”
Folkestone have been given a major boost, with winger Luke Wanadio making his loan move from Dartford permanent after scoring four goals already at Invicta.
Cugley declared: “I’m quite happy with what I have got now.
“Through the money from the Wrexham (FA Trophy) game, I have been able to increase the squad with the signings of Andy Drury and Luke.
“I think that’s what we will go with until the end of the season - unless something big happens.
“It’s the first time I’ve had a squad of 16 or 17 for a long time so I think we can cope.”
With matches running out this campaign, the top six seem to be pulling away from the rest - although eighth-placed Kingstonian will look to close that gap when they host third-placed Invicta.
The gap between the teams is 11 points, with eight points separating seventh-placed Margate and Lewes, who are sixth.
Midfielder Scott Heard could return for that match.
“If we can get a couple of wins quickly, it will put the pressure on those just out of it,” Cugley suggested.
“We could push them right out of it, then it will be a fight between half a dozen.”
Against Bognor, Paxman slotted home from the spot after striker David Smith was fouled in the box.
Cugley reflected: “It was not a classic, really, but a hard-earned three points.
“We dominated the game early on and got a goal, so I was disappointed we didn’t get another.
“They always have a bit of quality about them and the game seemed to go on forever!
"But doing the double over Bognor is very good.”
Paxman also struck in last Tuesday’s Velocity Trophy 1-0 victory over Isthmian South East high-fliers Cray Valley.
Folkestone will be at home to National League South Ebbsfleet in the next round of the Kent Senior Cup after they beat National League Bromley last Wednesday 7-6 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Goalkeeper Connor Collins has signed for Southern Counties East Premier Division Hollands & Blair on loan.
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Thomas Reeves