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FA Trophy: Neil Cugley takes Folkestone Invicta back to Woking FC after 20 years

Neil Cugley will roll back the years when he takes Folkestone to Woking in the FA Trophy 20 years on from their memorable last visit.

Invicta are off to Kingfield next weekend after being drawn away to the three-time winners in the third qualifying round.

Cugley’s side gave the Cards a fright in the third round of 1998/99 before losing an extraordinary game 8-4.

Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley Picture: Gary Browne
Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley Picture: Gary Browne

Nicky Dent opened the scoring before being forced off with a head injury and Woking then opened up a 3-1 lead.

The visitors dragged themselves level through Steve Lawrence and Julian Beal but the Cards, for whom the prolific Darran Hay scored four, then ran riot.

“I remember it well,” said Cugley. “We went 1-0 up with a great goal but the centre-forward split his head open and had to come off.

“One of my other players had jarred his back in training on Thursday so he didn’t play so it was a bit of a strange day.

“We got congratulated because we were the first team to score four goals at Woking for many years and then they told us it was the first time they’d scored eight!

“They got a few near the end and they were a good side with real pedigree in the Trophy.”

Woking, third in National League South, will be favourites again but Folkestone now play just one division below them.

Cugley said: “I’m really pleased with that draw. It’s superb.

“It’s a big game and something for everybody to look forward to.

Ade Yusuff brings the ball forward for Folkestone against Didcot Picture: Paul Amos
Ade Yusuff brings the ball forward for Folkestone against Didcot Picture: Paul Amos

“We’re not going to win the competition so we might as well enjoy one of the better grounds

“In some ways we’d have liked one more easier game but that’s why you’re in it, to play these sort of teams.”

Johan ter Horst is unlikely to play after suffering a recurrence of his knee injury in the 3-0 victory over Didcot in the second qualifying round match on Saturday.

Cugley said: “He’ll be out for a little while, just as he was starting to get going.

“I’m disappointed for him and he’s a bit down at the moment. It’s a great shame but we move on.”

Folkestone host Potters Bar Town in Bostik Premier on Saturday.

Cugley said: “We don’t want to get dragged down there so we’ve got to start putting some results together in the league.

“I think we’ve played all right in the last month so all credit to the players.

“We’ve got the Woking game to look forward to and then it’s the Christmas games not long after.

“It’s a big time coming up for the club.”

Josh Vincent and Matt Newman are fit while Alfie Paxman returns after suspension.

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