Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley relishing the big matches ahead of crunch time in the season

The big games keep on coming for Folkestone - and that’s just the way boss Neil Cugley likes it.

Invicta have moved back into the Isthmian Premier play-off places after two victories in the space of three days.

They did the double over Bognor, Alfie Paxman’s penalty earning a 1-0 home win last weekend, before beating strugglers East Thurrock 3-1 on Tuesday. Paxman scored his third in as many games, another penalty, while striker Ade Yusuff and defender Matt Newman were also on target.

Cugley’s visit play-off chasing Kingstonian this Saturday.

There is then a Velocity Trophy quarter-final for Invicta - who have reached the same stage in the Kent Senior Cup - to look forward to on Tuesday when they welcome Isthmian North Barking to Cheriton Road.

“Every game is going to be big,” admitted Cugley.

“It’s either a quarter-final or a big game in terms of who makes the play-offs.

“But that’s what I do my job for, that’s what it’s all about.

“Let’s see where we are in seven or eight weeks’ time.”

Folkestone have been given a major boost, with winger Luke Wanadio making his loan move from Dartford permanent after scoring four goals already at Invicta.

Cugley declared: “I’m quite happy with what I have got now.

“Through the money from the Wrexham (FA Trophy) game, I have been able to increase the squad with the signings of Andy Drury and Luke.

“I think that’s what we will go with until the end of the season - unless something big happens.

“It’s the first time I’ve had a squad of 16 or 17 for a long time so I think we can cope.”

With matches running out this campaign, the top six seem to be pulling away from the rest - although eighth-placed Kingstonian will look to close that gap when they host third-placed Invicta. The gap between