Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley expects an open game against Worthing
Published: 00:00, 08 February 2017
Boss Neil Cugley hopes to channel the disappointment of more away frustration into a positive showing when Folkestone welcome Worthing on Saturday.
The visit of their rivals from Ryman League, Division 1 South last season is the only home game in a five-match span and Cugley is keen to show both teams deserve to be in the Premier Division again next season.
Cugley was dismayed as a controversial stoppage-time penalty denied Invicta an eye-catching win at Kingstonian last Saturday and admitted: “We were disappointed rather than frustrated. We had missed a good chance to make it 3-1, too.
“We can play better than that, I’m sure the players agree. We are not quite where we want to be at the moment. Hopefully, that will come.
“I suppose a positive is that we nearly won up there when we were not at out best.”
Cugley wants 14 points from Invicta’s last 16 games to ensure survival and in Worthing they face a side who, in their last four games have scored 12 and conceded 12, a run which included 5-0 and 4-3 wins and 3-1 and 6-2 losses.
Cugley said: “The thing with Worthing is that you just can’t predict their results or how many goals they might score.
“They have pulled away from us a little bit and on their day they are as good as anyone in this league.
“Home advantage is important, Worthing are a good footballing side so it should be a good, open game.
“Hopefully, both teams will show we belong at this level. At the end of the season if us, Worthing, Harlow and AFC Sudbury all stay up, I would be more than happy.”
Cugley hopes Ronnie Dolan shakes off his ankle injury to give him a full squad to choose from and with a trip to Wingate & Finchley looming on Tuesday (7.45pm).
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