JOHAN, MATT, JAKE THE PICK IN PRE-SEASON SAYS CUGS

Neil Cugley wants his Folkestone Invicta side to bounce back from Thursday’s disappointing performance against Maidstone by showing a big crowd what they can do in today’s friendly with Dover Athletic at The Fullicks Stadium.

“Some of the players didn’t do themselves any favours in my eyes against Maidstone, but we know they’re better than that and we need to bounce back and show more of the spirit we showed in the win over Tonbridge.

“I guess some of my disappointment was because we’d played so well on Tuesday. We showed real spirit in that game after conceding an early goal, and we played some really good football at times.

“But we cannot let our standards slip to the level of that first half against Maidstone and, now some of them are really playing for their places in the side when the league starts next week.

“I’m honest enough to admit that I can remember games like from my own playing days, but we owe our supporters a much better performance than that.”

The Folkestone boss picked out young striker Johan Ter Horst, defensive midfielder Matt Newman and close season signing Jake Beecroft as the pick of his squad during their pre-season programme.

“Those three have had a very good pre-season but one of two of the others have let themselves down at times.”

Newman, who missed the Stones defeat, is expected to return along with Steve Harper and Chris ‘Billy’ Elliott.

Keeper Rob French is away meaning Roddy Hayward is likely to keep the number one jersey while Roland Edge is again missing.

“Edgey’s due to get married about now – it may even be this weekend” said the manager, “but we always knew he’d be missing for the start of the season.”

With a decent weather forecast and added interest for Folkestone’s first game against Dover for several seasons, it is hoped that a bumper crowd will be in attendance, including plenty of our friends from over the hill.

Gate receipts for Folkestone’s highest profile home pre-season game are going to the family of assistant manager Mick Dix who has understandably taken time out to care for his wife Heather who has been unwell since late last year.

Once again, we at Folkestone Invicta would like to express our thanks to all friends at Dover Athletic for agreeing to play this fixture in such a worthy cause.