Neil Cugley says Folkestone Invicta’s players should take great pride from what they have achieved in the first half of the season.

Folkestone’s excellent 4-0 home win over Margate on Boxing Day meant they start 2020 sitting top of Isthmian Premier with just three defeats from 21 matches.

Cugley’s men head the table on goal difference from Worthing, with third-placed Horsham four points further back.

The manager admits few people – himself included – probably would have had Invicta down as potential champions back in August.

He said: “I’m proud of what we’ve done so far and I hope the players are, too.

“If you’d have said to me at the start of the season that we’d be sitting top going into the new year I wouldn’t have believed it.

“It’s all credit to the players. We’ve been lucky with injuries which has helped.

“I remember that for our Boxing Day game at Tonbridge last year we had six players missing.

“I’m glad to say we won (3-1) but we finished with two youth team players on the field.

“I was delighted with the win over Margate. We expected a tough game and it was fairly even in the first half but we always felt we could go on and win and to do it keeping a clean sheet was pleasing.”

Cugley opted for the extra experience of Tim Roberts in goal but said the decision was no reflection on the man he replaced, Henry Newcombe.

He explained: “Henry’s done really well for us and is a top keeper but I just thought he looked a little nervy in the last game.

“For the sort of game it was I felt I needed a bit more experience and Tim gives you that. I count myself lucky to have two such high-quality keepers.”

Defender Matt Newman came off with a groin issue against Margate, being replaced by Finn O’Mara, and Cugley admits he is grateful to have such a strong squad.

• Non-League latest

Invicta are away to Merstham on New Year’s Day and then travel to Brightlingsea Regent on Saturday before going to Tonbridge for a Kent Senior Cup tie on Tuesday, January 7.

They don’t return to the BuildKent Stadium until January 11 when they host Haringey.

Cugley said: “Finn did really well when he came on for Matty. He’s probably one player who is disappointed he’s not played more, but the games come thick and fast in January and everyone will be needed.

“It’s going well at the moment, but we all know how quickly it can change and I’ll say what I keep saying – anybody can beat anybody in this division.

“I’d imagine people thought we’d get something at Bowers and Pitsea but we didn’t (Invicta lost 3-1) and that’s the thing if you’re not at it.”

Invicta’s Velocity Trophy tie at home to Bognor Regis, postponed on December 21, has been rearranged for Tuesday, January 14 (7.45pm).

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