Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley hopes players put in better performance in Isthmian Premier opener at Enfield Town than they did in final friendly win over Ashford United
Published: 05:00, 10 August 2022
Updated: 08:25, 10 August 2022
Neil Cugley is warning his Folkestone players he thinks they will need to put in a better performance than they did in their final friendly when the real action starts.
Cugley’s men begin their Isthmian Premier campaign at Enfield Town this Saturday, six days after they beat last season’s Isthmian South East play-off finalists Ashford 4-2 to retain the Sid Burvill Trophy and the George Sargeant Memorial Shield.
But Invicta’s manager was disappointed with his team’s display despite the win.
Cugley said: “I think it should be a really good league, it will be a very tight league.
“It’ll be quite strong again this year so if you are not ready, and put a performance like that in a league game, you are not going to pick up many points.”
Goals from James Rogers, Ade Yusuff, the impressive Nathan Green and Ibrahim Olutade saw Folkestone beat Ashford, with ex-Braintree frontman Luke Holness playing as a trialist for Invicta.
Cugley reflected after the game: “I’m disappointed, really, if I’m being honest.
"I think the early goal sort of spoiled it for us [Rogers giving Invicta the lead inside a minute].
“We suddenly got complacent and, overall, I was really disappointed in us.
“We didn’t really defend that well, our midfield wasn’t tight enough and the front three never really caused the problems they should have.
“What is disappointing is, each friendly I have felt we have got better and better, and we took our foot off the pedal on Sunday.
“Maybe they were thinking of being fit for this Saturday, but I was disappointed with how we played. I expect more and I have said that to them.
“Obviously training won’t be much fun on Tuesday now because we need to get things sorted out. We need to get the shape sorted out - that wasn’t very good, either.
“I’m pleased we won.
"It’s another game, although that’s more like a game you expect at the beginning of pre-season rather than the end, I would say.”
Cugley has a good idea of the starting line-up he wants to name for their league opener at Enfield.
He said: “I could name 10 of them now. It’s just that one other bit that we need to get right.
“I thought [Ian] Draycott came on and did well on Sunday.
"Do we go with him or do we go with another wide player? That’s what I need to think about but, generally, I’m all right.
“I thought our midfield have been good.
"It was a bit quiet on Sunday but I think there’s a good feel to the midfield - James Rogers, Ronnie Dolan and Scott Heard, they should be good enough for this league.”
Last season, Enfield finished third before losing out in the play-offs - but Cugley says he intends to focus more on the threats his team can cause, rather than the problems the opposition can cause them.
He explained: “I have always been one that worries about my own team. If you get yourself right, I don’t think there’s too much to worry about.
“They’re a good side. We know a lot of their players, they will know ours, so it should be a good game.”
Defender Matt Newman (knee) is the only Folkestone player on the treatment table.
Young striker Tyler Sterling has joined Southern Counties East Division 1 Lydd, playing last weekend in a 2-1 home win over Tooting Bec.
Folkestone host newly-promoted Hastings at Cheriton Road on Tuesday night.
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Thomas Reeves