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Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley believes Roman Campbell could be a good long-term prospect

Boss Neil Cugley thinks talented young striker Roman Campbell could be a good long-term signing for Folkestone Invicta.

Invicta manager Cugley gave former Gillingham and Sittingbourne man Campbell his first start against Enfield Town on Saturday after capturing the 19-year-old last week.

Top scorer Ira Jackson once again shouldered the goalscoring burden as he netted in a 1-1 draw but Cugley was also pleased with Campbell’s performance.

Roman Campbell in the match against Enfield on Saturday. Picture: Andy Jones
Roman Campbell in the match against Enfield on Saturday. Picture: Andy Jones

“I thought he did well,” said Cugley.

“For a 19-year-old, he was intelligent with his runs and with how he led the line

“We have been looking for a centre-forward for a little while with Jerson (Dos Santos) going off the boil a little bit.

“He is only 19 but he could be a good signing for us long-term. He is 6ft 1in, strong and led the line.

"There are not many like that about.

“Tyler Sterling is only 17 and Ira is only 23 so that looks good for the future.”

As well as Campbell, Ian Draycott also came through 90 minutes and Cugley hopes they both can help support 24-goal Jackson.

He added: “That’s what we have got to do.

"We have to take a bit of pressure off him, otherwise teams will just try to stop Ira.”

Leaving the club is Dos Santos, who has joined Walton Casuals.

“We have come to a mutual agreement on that one,” explained Cugley.

“He has had a few niggly injuries so he is not with us any more. That’s why we wanted to get Roman in.

“To be fair to Dos Santos, he’s a big reason why we started the season so well.

“He is travelling from London which is just taking its toll a little bit.

"We thank him for his services and wish him well for the future.”

Folkestone beat Brightlingsea in their Velocity Trophy quarter-final tie 4-3 on penalties on Tuesday after a 2-2 draw.

The fourth-placed side visit Kingstonian in the Isthmian Premier this weekend.

Kingstonian are some way off the top five in 10th but Cugley is expecting them to adopt an attacking approach.

He said: “They have a lot of well-known players.

“I think the manager (Hayden Bird) took a lot of his lads from Merstham with him. We expect them to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

“Like Enfield, they have got nothing to lose. They have to go for wins if they are to get in the play-offs.

“I think they will come at us and we will have to be right at it because they are a very experienced team.

“As I keep saying, there are no easy games in this league.”

Striker Sterling missed the draw with Enfield due to illness but he should be fit to play against Kingstonian after starting in midweek.

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