Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley wants his side’s forward play to sharpen up after watching their weekend pre-season opener.

Cugley’s new-look side were in action for the first time this summer, against Gillingham on Saturday, with six new signings in the starting eleven.

Report: Folkestone 0 Gillingham 2

Invicta denied the Gills an on-target effort in the opening half at the BuildKent Stadium before conceding twice after the turnaround when Cugley made nine changes.

Cugley said: “I was pleased first half, second half I had a few trialists and a few different people in, we looked disjointed then, but you have to look at some people. It is hard at our level as the boys don’t train that much and you have to put them in game situations to see if they are going to be what you want.

“The only thing we lacked was a bit of sharpness in the final third, apart from that we looked strong at the back, the new keeper has come in and done well and fitness-wise we were quite good. We don’t start back until August 13 so we have a long time, seven more friendlies to go, we are not in that much of a rush, we just want to make sure they stay away from injuries.

“If we kept the same side out second half I think we would have done alright but you take that. I have to say it was a tremendous crowd, to get nearly 1,000 in for a friendly, all credit to the Gills and the Folkestone fans for coming out.

“I would have liked us to be a bit more exciting in the final third. That was the only thing, we just lacked that little bit.

“The fitness levels are good and there is quite a long time to go yet.”

Folkestone are back in action tonight (Tuesday) against Tonbridge Angels.

Cugley said: “We have got some good games at home, eight friendlies, six at home, we might not win many of them but they are good games to get you fit and access what you want.

“At the end of the day I don’t like losing, I am a bad loser, but it is about that first league game really. Hopefully we get a few wins in the friendlies and keep everyone happy.”