Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley backs Ira Jackson Jr to come good despite goalless start to the season

Frontman Ira Jackson Jr will come good in his second spell at Folkestone, according to boss Neil Cugley.

Jackson re-joined the Cheriton Road club on the eve of the new season, having gone on to play in the Football League after a successful first stint at Invicta.

The 25-year-old has started all five matches during their unbeaten start to the Isthmian Premier campaign but he has been substituted in the last three games.

Cugley remains confident the quality which saw Jackson play for Grimsby and in the National League at Wealdstone will come through in the end, though.

He said: “He hardly played at all in pre-season anywhere. In the last two years, I would have thought he’s maybe played 30 games.

“So I have just got to be patient with him. The quality will come through.

“He did well on Saturday and we have a good front four so we are not going to rush him. He will come good.”

Invicta earned back-to-back victories over the Bank Holiday weekend as they came from behind to beat Billericay 3-2 on Saturday thanks to two-goal substitute Ibrahim Olutade before Kadell Daniel and Ade Yusuff - his third in as many games - ensured they defeated Herne Bay two days later at Cheriton Road.

“We started well last year. It’s quite pleasing that we have started well this year, as well, because we have made so many changes in personnel,” said Cugley, whose side are third.

“I think everybody has dropped into it quite well, they all seem happy.

"It’s a good club and a good place to be at the moment.”

Folkestone host North Greenford United in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round this weekend and hope to have midfielder Scott Heard (thigh) and defender Matt Newman (knee) available, the former having missed the Herne Bay win.

Cugley said: “That