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Sport

Maidstone United meet Folkestone Invicta in the Kent Senior Cup final

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 09:09, 24 April 2018

Updated: 09:12, 24 April 2018

The return of Johan ter Horst to the Gallagher Stadium adds an extra dimension to the Kent Senior Cup final between Maidstone and Folkestone.

Ter Horst is set to feature for Invicta against the club he left in February when they meet in the county town tonight (7.45pm).

Stones boss Jay Saunders remains a fan but couldn’t offer the striker the games he needed.

Johan ter Horst has been prolific back at Folkestone Picture: Paul Amos

He scored twice in 18 appearances for the Stones but has 15 goals to his name back at Invicta.

Saunders is wary of the threat posed by ter Horst, along with fellow Stones old boys Callum Davies and Ian Draycott.

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The Stones boss said: “Johan’s a top, top lad. I’ve got a lot of time for him and I said when he left I felt he could go again.

“He just needs to play regular football and he’ll be a threat because he’s got pace and he can score goals, and that was the reason I signed him. I’ve always like him as a player.

“Coming back, I’m sure he’ll want to prove a point, as will Callum, where it didn’t quite work out for him here, and Draycott, who was excellent for me the year we got promoted from Ryman South.”

Johan ter Horst celebrates another goal for Invicta Picture: Paul Amos

Both clubs are set to name strong sides with United safe in the National League after Saturday’s win at Chester and Folkestone secure in the Bostik Premier play-offs after a marvellous season under Neil Cugley.

Saunders said: “They’ve done really well and if you look at it they’ve got some very good players.

“They’ve got players who’ve played higher levels like Callum Davies, who we had here, and obviously Johan.

“They’re good in forward areas. Obviously we know Johan but the boy Ade Yusuff’s done well, Draycs has always scored goals and you’ve got to give Cugs and Roland Edge (No.2) full credit.

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“I’ve watched them a couple of times this season and they’re a very attack-minded team, they go for it, they’ve got loads of energy.

“I’m delighted we got that win at Chester because I didn’t really want to have to leave people out and rest them for Halifax, in case we needed the win but let’s try and finish with a bit of silverware.

“Above anything, I think our supporters deserve that.”

Maidstone manager Jay Saunders Picture: Andy Jones

Invicta will finish third in the Bostik Premier if Hendon fail to beat Leatherhead on Wednesday night, giving them home advantage in the play-offs.

They lost 3-0 to Dulwich on Saturday but it’s been a season to remember for Cugley’s men going into the cup final.

Cugley said: “We're looking forward to it. If things go well this week, we've got a strange situation where we could go to Billericay and it won't matter so we might be able to have the cup final, rest a few on Saturday and look forward to the play-offs.

"It's a nice situation to be in and one we didn't think we'd get to.

Folkestone boss Neil Cugley Picture: Andy Payton

“We're in there now so we're going to make sure we enjoy it and give everything we can. Hopefully the day will lift the players a bit after Saturday.

"I texted Jay about 10 days ago. I said hopefully we're in the play-offs and you're safe and that's how it's worked out for both clubs. Hopefully the game will be open and enjoyable.”

Cugley expects his Stones old boys to be fired up for the game.

He said: “I think they will be and it will be a good test for our players.

“When you've had that disappointment of Saturday, sometimes you need a big game to see how the players respond."

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