Folkestone boss Neil Cugley has told his players to stop making excuses about 3G pitches.

Invicta face Bostik Premier leaders Dorking Wanderers this weekend on their artificial surface at Meadowbank.

Cugley’s side have struggled on 3G this season, losing at both Haringey and Worthing.

Given they still face trips to Harlow, Carshalton and Margate, it’s a problem they need to resolve.

Cugley said: “We haven’t really played that well on 3G and we’ve got to improve that. We’re training on it Thursday to get used to it.

“We’ve got to stop making an excuse and start trying to get results. Four of our last eight away games are on 3G so we’ve got to get better on it.

“I think sometimes players look for an excuse but would you rather have a bobbly (grass) pitch?

“No disrespect to Dorking’s old ground but it wasn’t very nice and the pitch wasn’t good, so surely it’s better to be playing on one of these 3Gs.

“It’s one of those things the players have got to get out of their heads and just get on with it.”

On paper, Saturday’s game is the toughest Folkestone have faced all season.

Table-topping Wanderers, chasing their fifth promotion in nine years, boast a squad which includes Luke Moore, Lewis Taylor, Jason Prior and Giuseppe Sole.

Cugley said: “They’re like a who’s who of non-league, aren’t they?

“They’ve got all these players we all know, who have played a good standard, and they’ve
put together a very strong
team.

“They’ve got the finances to do that and good luck to them but we’ll go there and hopefully give them a good game.”

Folkestone have only won one of their last nine away matches in all competitions but it’s
been a totally different story at home.

Saturday’s 2-0 win against Kingstonian was their 11th in a row at the Fullicks Stadium, where they’ve only conceded two goals since October.

Cugley said: “It’s pleasing because you’ve got your home fans and they’re the ones you’re trying to please.

“We’re getting good crowds at home now so you want to entertain them and show people we’re a good side.

“Early in the season, it wasn’t the case and that gets you down a little bit so I’m really pleased we’ve turned that around.

“We’re an exciting team to watch at home so now we’ve got dig in a little bit and look at ways to get points away.”