Sam Denly says he has massive respect for opposite number Neil Cugley as he prepares for Herne Bay’s trip to in-form Folkestone Invicta on Saturday.

However, the Winch’s Field boss will put all that personal admiration on hold for at least 90 minutes at Cheriton Road as he attempts to complete a double over the Shepway hosts, following a 2-1 win when the teams met at Winch’s Field in August.

Since then Invicta have put an inconsistent start to the Ryman League, Division 1 South season behind them and Saturday’s 8-0 trouncing of Crawley Down put them in the play-offs positions for the first time this season.

It was their third successive win and they are now unbeaten in 11 games at home, in a run stretching back to September.

Denly said: “It’s another massive game and I always enjoy playing against Neil’s side and have got a lot of respect for him in what he has done in the game.

“They are on a good run, are a club on the up and play good football. We are also playing well and it’s a funny league this season, with everybody beating each other.”

Denly’s cousin, goalkeeper Jack Delo, makes his first trip back to Invicta since switching clubs in the summer. He helped Folkestone reach the play-offs last season before they went out in the semi-finals to Maidstone United.