Folkestone need to bring the recent form that they have found in cup ties to the league as they entertain eighth placed Potter Bar Town at The Fullicks Stadium on Saturday.
In seven home Bostik Premier Division games, Neil Cugley’s side have managed just one win and a draw and a return of only four points out of those 21 that were on offer.
But their visitors have a fairly similarly poor record on the road with just two wins out of six league games played, and one of those way back on opening day of the season.
Runners up to AFC Hornchurch last season, Potters Bar are now jointly managed by last year’s promotion winning captain, central-midielder Lee O’Leary and a former team-mate at Hendon, Scott Cousins.
The only current player whose name rings the proverbial bell is striker Keegan Cole, also formerly with Hendon.
Looking at recent results Invicta boss Neil Cugley said: “I think everyone believes we’re playing so much better now than we did say a month ago and the players are well aware that we need to start climbing back up the table.
“It’ll help if everyone can get here a bit after the way things have been on the motorway lately!”
Asked for an injury update Cugs’ first response was “Well come of them are suffering from cramp after having been stuck in their cars for as long as they were on Tuesday!”
An M20 pile-up led to postponement of the scheduled midweek league cup tie against Hayes and Yeading which will now be played this coming Tuesday, November 20th.
“It’s getting past a joke” said Cugs. “Twice in recent weeks the players from north Kent and Maidstone have been unable to get here. I’m just hoping that none of them get fed up with it and choose to play for clubs nearer home.
“The trouble is that I can see things getting worse before they get better, judging from what the highways authority say we’ve got at last 18 months more of this – even Operation Stack wasn’t this bad, at least some of the time you were still moving!”
For Saturday’s game Invicta have doubts over striker Johan Ter Horst and midfield play-maker Sam Hasler, those of their top men who have hit form in recent weeks.
“Johan’s knee – and it’s the other one this time – is a problem and Sam’s stomach illness is still a worry” said Neil. “They may be in the squad but both are unlikely to play a full game.
“At least when we’ve now got a squad of 16 or 17 it does mean we’ll still have 14 or 15 to choose from.”
*Defender Matt Newman has this week turned down an offer from our Bostik Premier Sussex rivals Whitehawk who had put in a seven-day approach for the former Chatham Town and Hythe player.
“I’m sure that they will have offered him more money,” said the manager, “but I’m pleased to say that he’s staying – despite the traffic!