The Seasiders make another trip to Surrey this weekend to take on Merstham where they will be looking to make amends following two straight defeats in the Ryman Division One South.

Cray Wanderers left the Buzzlines Stadium last weekend with a 3-1 victory and Invicta boss Neil Cugley said the League leaders were one of the best sides to have played at Cheriton Road this season along with fellow promotion hopefuls Worthing.

The manager remarked, “They were big and strong and didn’t give a lot away – a bit like us at the beginning of the season – and I think they will go on and win the League. The goals we gave away were poor; our keeper has kicked one straight at them for the first and the second and third were from thrown ins and we’ve spoken to the players about it before but we need to be more focussed in those situations.

“The longer you can go in those games without giving anything away, the pressure builds on the other side and when we conceded with about half hour gone they weren’t really causing us too many problems and frustration would’ve crept in.”

With Kieron Byrne (knee) coming off at half time, Jon Driscoll got another taste of Ryman One action whilst Billy Swallow played over an hour with Josh Burchell deployed further up the pitch in midfield. With Josh Vincent (ill) sidelined, Micheal Everitt deputised at right wing back.

“Both of them (Driscoll and Swallow) need a good pre season as a lot can be taught in that time; not just fitness but about playing the game. I think both have got a decent chance, they’ve both got good attitudes and a belief in their ability and hopefully come the end of the season if everything off the pitch is sorted, I’ll be able to look forward to having a closer look at them pre season.

“Saturday against Cray – arguably the best side in the League – they came in and neither disgraced themselves and they can be proud of how they’ve made what is quite a big jump up from the youth team and settled in alright.”

Folkestone lost to a solitary goal against Chipstead on Tuesday night and with no midweek games left (aside from the Bank Holiday visit of Ashford Town), Invicta’s walking wounded should have more respite between matches.

“They (Chipstead) were nothing special and I thought it was a poor performance from us. They hardly had any shots and the one on target they did have went threw a lot of bodies and trickled in off the post, such is our luck at the minute.

“After that we were chasing the game and I’m afraid we’re not the greatest at doing that although we did have a couple of chances which at this level you should be putting away. I think perhaps my expectations have been a bit too high as what we’re trying to achieve won’t happen overnight.”

Liam Friend (ankle), Jimmy Dryden (foot) and Darren Smith (hamstring) who all soldiered through against Chipstead are hoped to be fit for Merstham although Kieron Byrne (knee) and James Everitt (hamstring) remain the more serious doubts.

Squad numbers have been boosted slightly by the signing of Gillingham teenager Jacob Arnold-Smith and the forward made his Folkestone debut against Chipstead.

“I thought he didn’t do too badly considering the jump from youth team football although he missed a good chance he’ll be disappointed he didn’t put away. He’ll be in the squad for this Saturday and we’ll have another look at him. At 6’ 1” he gives us a bit of height up there and he puts himself about. There might be other people we look at between now and the end of the season and if they do well maybe it’s something we can explore further for next year.

“Merstham aren’t a bad side and we saw that at our place and they’ve got two good players up front, particularly the lad Lock [who has 19 goals this season] and they’re defensively strong with two big centre halfs. They are near enough in the play offs and we played them when we’d just gone with the younger lads and I’m sure they’ll be looking forward to playing us and will be out to get the three points – we’ve got to make sure that doesn’t happen.”