Manager hails home advantage

Neil Cugley reckons Folkestone Invicta couldn't have asked for better draws in next season's FA Cup and FA Trophy after the Ryman League outfit were handed the possibility of consecutive home ties in both competitions.

Friday's FA Cup draw at Wembley means the Ryman South's Seasiders are at home in the Preliminary Round on August 31 to the winners of the Extra Preliminary Round clash between Combined Counties League outfit Molesey and Sussex Division One side Hailsham Town. Victory will see Invicta then entertain either Lordswood, Eastbourne United or Herne Bay in the First Qualifying Round on September 14.

The draw for the first two rounds of the Trophy brings Ryman North Waltham Forest to The Fullicks Stadium on October 5. If Cugley's men can beat the Essex side in the first ever meeting between the clubs, a home tie against old rivals Kingstonian awaits.

Cugley said: "We couldn’t have asked for better than that. If we get through the opening rounds, we’ll be at home for all four games. Someone up there must like us. The prize money from these two competitions can bring a real boost to clubs like us and can set the season up nicely. And if we reproduce our excellent home form of last season we should be able to put a nice little run together."

* Invicta's 'Mr Dependable', defender Liam Dickson, is leaving due to work commitments.

The popular player is set to start working in the North East and is only expecting to be back in his native Folkestone four days in every fortnight, making regular football and training, difficult to organise.

Cugley said: "He’s been brilliant for us since he came into the first team almost five years ago and has been an absolute pleasure to work with. He’s such a good lad and we will naturally miss him."

Dickson was promoted into the first team from Invicta's youth set-up midway through the 2008-2009 season. Playing primarily as a left-sided defender or full-back, he scored four times in 194 first team appearances and also started another 15 games from the bench.