Invicta should go into tonight’s home game against Thurrock in good spirits, despite that ‘close second’ result from Dulwich last weekend.
A defeat in name only, perhaps, and the 4-3 loss to the leaders still sees Folkestone third in the table only behind the two sides widely rated as the most likely promotion candidates this season.
Manager Neil Cugley said: “I realise it was a great game for the neutrals though supporters of both sides seemed to enjoy it as well.
“Neither goalkeeper probably had their best game but majority of the crowd will have enjoyed it with all those goals flying in.”
Folkestone are today working on tying up a further month’s extension of big defender Finn O’Mara’s loan deal from Gillingham and hope to have him in the side against Thurrock tonight.
“Finn slipped for their second goal at Dulwich but anyone can do that, and I thought he played well to keep their little prolific striker Allassani quiet virtually all game long.
“I’m hoping he’ll be in the squad tonight. Matt Newman’s close to a return but if we’ve got Finn again we won’t have to even think of rushing Matt back.”
Invicta have no game this coming weekend, but do have three of their next four games at home – starting with tonight’s fixture which was postponed when huge traffic problems near the Dartford Crossing forced Thurrock to abort any attempts at getting to the Kent coast three weeks ago.
Cugley’s side shot up to second in the table on the back of their great run of eight successive league wins back in November, and have been in the top six ever since – despite losing their way with four defeats on the bounce in early December.
But their return to form has seen them take 10 points from their last five games, drawing 2-2 at Needham Market and scoring three goals every game since that match.
Two more goals at Dulwich have taken Ade Yusuff up to joint second in the Bostik Premier Division goalscoring lists – level with £24,000 Billericay striker Jake Robinson on 19 league and league cup goals with Folkestone player now on 22 for the season.
Thurrock, tonight’s visitors, – as long as they get here – are now 13th in the table with 33 points from 27 games, while Invicta are third (48 from 26).
The Rocks, though have won three of their last five in the league, including victories against Worthing (2-1) and Harlow Town (1-0) – two sides who beat Invicta last month.
Folkestone were left without a fixture this weekend as scheduled opponents Billericay are still in the FA Trophy, but Neil Cugley’s side then play Lowestoft Town twice in four days – making the trip up to Suffolk next Tuesday (January 16) before the East Anglian outfit must travel in the opposite direction on Saturday (January 20th).
Kingstonian then visit the Fullicks Stadium on Tuesday, January 23rd.