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Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley expects to name 'near-enough' the side he wants to field for Isthmian Premier opener in final friendly against Ashford United

Manager Neil Cugley expects to name “near-enough” the Folkestone side he wants to field in their league opener for their final pre-season friendly.

Invicta host last season’s Isthmian South East play-off finalists Ashford this Sunday, 1pm kick-off, after back-to-back wins.

Folkestone forward Kadell Daniel is put under pressure by Dover man Arjanit Krasniqi during Invicta's 1-0 friendly win. Picture: Randolph File
Folkestone forward Kadell Daniel is put under pressure by Dover man Arjanit Krasniqi during Invicta's 1-0 friendly win. Picture: Randolph File

Midfielder Scott Heard scored the only goal at the weekend as Isthmian Premier Folkestone beat National League South Dover, having won 3-0 at Hythe last Tuesday through efforts from two-goal Kadell Daniel and striker Ibrahim Olutade.

Cugley is still after another forward player ahead of their opening league trip to Enfield next weekend, but he’s content with the squad he has already assembled.

“I think, on Sunday, we will be near-enough what we want to play,” Invicta’s manager said.

“I still want another player in but we will wait and see. That’s us near-enough there.

“We have got two good goalies, the back-four is strong, [our] midfield I think is good, up front, I just would like another option up there.”

Midfielder Scott Heard scored for Folkestone. Picture: Randolph File
Midfielder Scott Heard scored for Folkestone. Picture: Randolph File

Folkestone’s substitute goalkeeper Connor Collins ended up coming on at Cheriton Road - for Dover!

Whites opted to travel without a back-up shot-stopper and, with Dover keeper Stuart Nelson picking up a tight hamstring as Heard scored, 18-year-old Collins replaced him.

“Sometimes, that happens - you take one goalie and they get injured,” Cugley commented.

“It wouldn’t have done us any favours if they put an outfield player in goal. So it suited everybody, really.

“It was nice that both [Folkestone] goalies didn’t concede.

Folkestone's Matt Newman. Picture: Andy Jones
Folkestone's Matt Newman. Picture: Andy Jones

“Connor is a good lad and it was nice that he didn’t concede, and that Bailey [Vose] got 90 minutes as well.”

With striker Ade Yusuff also scoring recently in a defeat to Maidstone, most of Folkestone’s attacking players have now found the net in pre-season - but Cugley still thinks there is more to come.

On Heard’s goal, he said: “It was nice.

"Scott is an attacking player and the other forwards have now scored as well.

“I still feel like we could do a little bit more in the final third but, apart from that, it’s been good.”

Invicta were without defenders Nathan Green, Ian Gayle and Matt Newman for the game with Andy Hessenthaler’s Dover but earned the victory nonetheless.

“We have had a couple of clean sheets now, which is good. Nathan Green, Ian Gayle and Matt Newman were out but I thought we played all right,” Cugley reflected.

“With Dover, it’s always a bit of a good game to have anyway, but we did all right.

“Apart from Newman, hopefully, the other two will be fit for Sunday.

“We have had some hard games but I think that’s good and to have a good crowd of more than 600 there was pleasing.”

Newman is sidelined with a knee injury, however Folkestone’s manager had positive news on his recovery despite saying he’s expected to miss the start of the season.

Cugley said: “I think he will start light training next week.

"He might not play the first couple of games but, after that, he should be all right.

“It gives us more options at the back then.”

Folkestone have been drawn at home against Cray Valley in the Kent Senior Cup first round.

The winners will be hosting National League Bromley - in what could be a potential return to Cheriton Road for former Invicta hitman David Smith.

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