What a week for Neil Cugley. The Seasiders boss saw his side complete a hat trick of victories on Tuesday night when they defeated Kent rivals and bogey side Ramsgate 3-1 whilst he has also been announced Ryman Division One Manager of the Month, with his side sitting proudly at the top of the League – three points clear and a game in hand on second placed Worthing.

“Absolutely delighted, we have done ever so well”, he remarked. “It's a great credit to the players; the attitude they've shown and the effort they've put in has been superb. You think what went on a year ago and it's even more pleasing. We put in a lot of young lads and they had to learn very quickly and look how well they've done. What they've done better as well is to show the confidence to get the ball down and play and we've tried to give them that confidence and they've done that tremendously.

“During the summer months a lot of things were flying about like whether we'd even be here. We came through it and I have to say whilst it was my most difficult period in management, it has also been one of the most pleasing times. As a playing side, their attitude, commitment and work rate is the best I've had at Cheriton Road – you could not ask for more.”

And on winning Manager of the Month? “To win that you need great consistency and the players have shown just that, week in week out. They've dug in and shown what they're about, even in difficult games we've stuck in there and got a late goal and we've come through.”

Asked on what the reward is for winning the accolade the gaffer admitted, “I'm not actually sure! Jim (Ward) was saying on Tuesday night that you get some sort of voucher but I'll be donating mine to Micky Dix as he has been alongside me and he doesn't get the credit he deserves. He quietly gets on with his job and has been a great help to me. He puts a lot of time in people don't realise for very little reward and he's been spot on. If there's things I can do, I'd like to do it for him”.

Victory on Tuesday night against Ramsgate sent Folkestone fans home in justifiably high spirits in a keenly contested match against a typically physical display from their opponents.

“They're always big and strong and to be fair they play to their strengths and for a few years they were very good at it. I think they'll be the first to say they haven't quite got the quality they had two or three years ago but they're still a very hard team to play against. They were on a good run and it was always going to be a difficult game”.

In form midfielder Darren Smith opened the scoring in a dominant first half for Invicta, with a spectacular strike from 25 yards which sailed straight into the top left corner of the goal and is sure to be a contender for goal of the season.

“It wasn't just the fact it was a great strike but it was the way we kept the ball over on the left hand side. I think it was Burchy, Jacko and Austo and that I think made the chance before he had the shot. The finish was unbelievable from a class player and we have been scoring some quality goals in the last few weeks. I'm pleased for Darren as I think sometimes he doesn't get the credit he is due for how good a player he is.

“Jim (Ward) said afterwards he was amazed at how well we played first half and the work rate and effort we put in. Second half they did bombard us for a little while. Their equaliser was disappointing and we've lost a marker and it's a free header and Schulz is good in the air. I couldn't really see them scoring any other way and I thought overall we gave away too many set plays and they are strong on them when the big lads are sent up and they can cause problems.”

The Seasiders hit back following Ramsgate's equaliser and Josh Vincent got his second goal in as many games, curling in a fine strike from the right hand side.

“It was an important goal and at the time I just felt we were getting a little bit tired and a few injuries were affecting the team and we weren't how we should be. It was a perfect goal as it gave us another lift as at 1-1 it could've gone the wrong way. He's (Vincent) got forward and done well and he is another player who is starting to believe in himself and that's showing in his performances.”

The third goal was one of the most bizarre goals seen at the Buzzlines Stadium in a long time. With seven minutes left of play remaining, the Ramsgate goalkeeper went up to Folkestone's penalty box for a corner and Pete Williams was left alone on the halfway line.

“I don't think Jim was very happy! I personally wouldn't send the goalkeeper up that early but once he has gone up surely you have got to mark the man that's left on his own? To be fair to Jack Delo he has done brilliantly; he has come for the corner, caught it and not just kicked it but thrown it out to Pete and he done the rest and killed the game which was lovely for us.

“Me and Jim spoke afterwards and he's always been alright. I think all people see is a loud Scotsman shouting on the sidelines! But he is a very genuine person and will always shake your hand afterwards and talk. We must speak once a week or so to see what's happening around the football circuit. Obviously as a manager you're not very happy when you lose but it makes a change for me to beat him! In the past we have had stick for losing to them but they are a good side and I think the three players that went to Dover have gone straight up the leagues with them and it shows how good players they were”.

Victory over Ramsgate came after another 3-1 win at the weekend over Burgess Hill Town at Cheriton Road. Frankie Chappell, Darren Smith and Josh Vincent all got on the score sheet in what was arguably Folkestone's best home performance of the season so far.

“I thought that was an excellent game. Burgess Hill did come out and try and attack us which opened it up for a great game. We've had two very different games; against a big, strong side like Ramsgate and a Burgess Hill side who wanted to get it down and play. On Saturday I must admit I thought we were very, very good. Some of our passing and movement was superb.

“Chaps took his goal well and he's not a natural left footer. The Smithy one was an excellent move and football was made to look so simple with the third man running from midfield and the finish was great. The third one, as a manager what you are really pleased with is keeping the ball down the left and your left wing back getting involved and your right wing back putting the ball in the net. When you see the wing backs so far up the pitch it is very pleasing and both of them have improved tremendously over the last year.”

Looking ahead to this weekend's clash away at Horsham YMCA, Cugs should have few major injury worries. Striker Simon Austin who limped off on Tuesday night is expected to be fit for Saturday.

“Again I think he (Austin) is another lad who wasn't getting the credit he deserves but the last few games I think you can see how important he is to us. He has scored some goals and was involved in two of the goals against Burgess Hill and when he went off on Tuesday I didn't feel we were the same side because of his ability to keep the ball up there.”

Jimmy Dryden is nearing a return to action and sees the specialist again tomorrow (Friday).

“We're not rushing it, we want a Jimmy Dryden who is fully fit. We don't want to just put him back in, we tried that before and it didn't work. He might be on the bench properly on Saturday, maybe the following week but we won't be rushing it. Hopefully Simon will be alright and with James Everitt playing so well we're not needing to rush things.”

The younger of the Everitt brothers picked up another man of the match award on Tuesday night and has been in fine form and was a constant menace to Ramsgate.

“He has done brilliantly. Since he has come back from injury I think he is playing like Leigh Bremner did for us and you do need a player like that who will chase lost causes, drop back into midfield when need be and he has done ever so well. In the past I think he lacked consistency but I'm hoping he can keep this level of consistency up and I see no reason why he can't do that. His hold up play has been a lot better too. As they say football is always about opinions but you can't deny that for the effort he has put in he hasn't deserved those awards.”

The manager also disclosed he is in talks to bring in another player, possibly by next weekend. Folkestone also play away at Lordswood in a friendly next Tuesday.

“He is a YTS and we'll be speaking with him tomorrow. In the friendly I'll be trying different things and giving lads like Craig Thompson, Jonny Driscoll, Luke Stonebridge and Pete Williams time on the pitch where they haven't played much lately. We're having a look at a couple of other lads as well and whilst we haven't got the finances to bring anyone they might want to come down and give it a go”.