ONLY the truly committed Invicta fans made the trek to Medway for Tuesday's trial game-cum-friendly against Kent League Lordswood.

But those that did will have seen a couple of new faces as Neil Cugley looks to add more depth to his squad over the holiday period.

Youngsters Josh Sargeant and Olly Bartram have been recommended by Cugley's former number two, Mark Patterson, now back at his old club as a key member of the Gills youth set-up.

Both can play in midfield or defence to provide invaluable cover and Cugley said: "The Gills lads don't have games over Christmas and are just sitting around and kicking their heels for a month or so.

"Getting experience out with a club like ours that's doing pretty well right now is surely going to be good for them.

"And we do need options. Working with virtually the bare 12 players as we have been doing means that one injury leads to re-organisation of the whole team.

"If we can get more cover in defence and midfield it could prove invaluable."

The manager had also expected to include former Hampton and Richmond wideman Spencer Saches who has been in touch for the club several times, asking for a chance to impress.

But the London-based player did not turn up.

And, in a surprise move, the vastly experienced Lee Spiller could make a return to Folkestone after being one of those who left following the wage clampdown just over a year ago.

Cugs said: "Spills had a reputation for chasing the money but I found him a great lad to have around.

"It was the injury he picked up playing for us against Dulwich that has kept him out of the game, but he turned up to watch us several times after the wage freeze and was always keen to help out however he could.

"He knows we've got no money to offer him and the chances are he'll play for our reserves for a while to see how things go."

Ex-Margate and Dover legend Spiller had flu and was not at Lordswood on Tuesday, but is still expected to be seen back at the Buzzlines in the not too distant future.

Saturday's visitors, Walton and Hersham, are in as good form as anyone in the Southern Division right now and last weekend completed the double over Sittingbourne with a 1-0 win at Stompond Lane.

That came thanks to a goal from Kevin Lock – a striker that Cugley holds in some regard – who is now partnered by Hampton loanee Michael Charles.

Other known faces are well-travelled keeper Delroy Preddie and centre back Elliott Braithwaite – who played for Ashford last season and was involved in the Easter Monday game at Cheriton Road which Folkestone won with a super goal by Jacob Arnold-Smith.

Cugley believes his side will be more up for this game after last weekend's mildly disappointing 1-1 draw at Horsham YMCA.

He said: "We just never got the ball down to play like we have been doing and in the end I wasn't unhappy to come away with a point.

"I've not put pressure on the players – I think they've suddenly realised what they've achieved so far and being top of the table is pressure in itself.

"But we seem to be playing as well, if not better, at home now, than we are playing away and I'm sure the players will be up for this one."

James Everitt's withdrawal at YMCA was largely precautionary though he and others carrying knocks – Simon Austin and Josh Burchell – are all expected to be in a yet again unchanged starting eleven against Walton and Hersham.

*Familar Invicta faces Roy Guiver and Billy Sommerville were both in the opposing line-up at Lordswood on Tuesday.