FOLKESTONE'S 1-1 draw at Aveley on Monday put almost all the camp in good spirits following the disappointment of their home defeat by moneybags Croydon Athletic two days earlier.

And with three tough games ahead – two of them over the Bank Holiday weekend – boss Neil Cugley was in cheerful mood as he looked forward to the trip to Sutton on Saturday and the home Kent derby clash with Tonbridge Angels on Monday.

"It was good the get off the mark" said Cugley. "To have lost two in a row would not have done our confidence, but I'm pleased to say that most of the lads are beginning to believe in themselves at this level."

But he wasn't getting carried away as he added: "Those weren't two teams (Aveley and Invicta) who are likely to be winning this league, but you couldn't ask more in the way of commitment."

And Cugley wants the fans to get behind his young side – as they did to good effect last season. With expenses always likely to be tight as the club works its way through the five year creditors agreement, the manager has no big wage budget to play with.

He said: "Both Ratty (James Everitt) and Ollie Bartrum are close to being fit again and could play some part over this weekend.

"With those two added to the 16 we had at Aveley we've got a nice little squad now. And these will almost certainly be the players we'll have for the rest of the season."

But striker Jimmy Dryden – collapsed in training on Thursday, prompting all kinds of speculation among the fans – Cugley says the club will have to adopt a wait and see attitude to hope that the 30-year-old comes through this latest setback.

"I wasn't there when it happened" he said, "but thankfully we got him back into the dressing rooms where Dave Williams, was able to have a look at it."

Unlucky Dryden was on crutches this week but saw a specialist yesterday, Wednesday to find out how bad things are."

Cugley watched Tonbridge lose a two goal lead and g down 3-2 against Bury Town at Longmead on Tuesday after their manager, Tommy Warrilow, was one of a number of coaches doing their homework at the Aveley-Invicta game on Monday.

Warrilow signed a host of new, and – by reputation – talented players during the course of the summer though the Angels (and don't be fooled by that name!) have lost both games so far and are currently bottom of the table.

TO enquire about Folkestone Invicta supporters' club travel please contact new travel co-ordinator John Law on 07957 688 435.