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Folkestone Invicta welcome back their frontline strikers for Ryman League play-off semi-final against Hastings United

Johan ter Horst and Dane Luchford Picture: Gary Browne
Johan ter Horst and Dane Luchford Picture: Gary Browne

Folkestone Invicta's 71-goal strikeforce is back together for tonight's huge Ryman League Division 1 South play-off semi-final against Hastings.

Premier League-bound Johan ter Horst trained with his new club Hull City last week and missed Folkestone's trip to Guernsey on Friday with an eye infection.

But the 27-goal teenager will be back to lead the line against Hastings and he will partner 37-year-old Paul Booth, who's scored 25 goals in 28 appearances this season.

Booth was only a substitute on Friday, having flown to Guernsey with a slight groin problem, while a hamstring strain's kept Dane Luchford out for the last couple of weeks.

But Luchford, who has 19 goals to his name this term, is also expected to feature against Hastings in front of a bumper crowd at the Fullicks Stadium tonight.

Paul Booth bags another goal for Folkestone Invicta Picture: Gary Browne
Paul Booth bags another goal for Folkestone Invicta Picture: Gary Browne

Folkestone boss Neil Cugley said: "We have a full squad to choose from and we're really up for this game.

"Boothy could have gone on (against Guernsey) if the result had really mattered. Luch still has a slight twinge in his hamstring, but he'll have a fitness test and I'm sure he'll be OK.

"I've spoken to Johan since he came back from Hull and he says he's fine."

Folkestone were due to meet Guernsey again in the play-offs, their 2-2 draw on Friday having left the sides third and fourth respectively in the final standings. But a subsequent six-point deduction for second-placed Leatherhead, imposed for a registration irregularity, meant Invicta were promoted to the runners-up spot, setting up a home tie against the fifth-placed club. Hastings pipped Burgess Hill to the final play-off spot on Saturday.

Cugley said: "I think the three other sides in the top six are much of a muchness. There’s not much to choose between Guernsey, Hastings and Burgess Hill, or indeed Leatherhead and us.

"We had to be at our best to beat Hastings here a couple of weeks ago, and they had a player sent off that night, so he’ll be suspended for the game.

"The runners up spot is great, but we’ve won nothing yet and I want to win these play-offs."

Kick-off at the Fullicks Stadium is at 7.45pm.

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