Neil Cugley wants Folke­stone fans to raise the roof when title rivals Worthing visit the Fullicks Stadium on Saturday.

Almost 400 supporters turned out to see Invicta go 12 points clear at the top of Ryman League Division 1 South last weekend courtesy of a dramatic win over Three Bridges.

And manager Cugley has urged locals to shun the Christmas shopping and roar his team one step closer to automatic promotion.

He said: "We’ve got three big games coming up and I hope the fans get behind us.

"They can definitely make the difference and I don’t think they realise how much they can do for us.

"They were vocal on Saturday. We’ve got a young side and when they get behind the players, it could help us secure the points we need for the championship.

"We’ve got Hythe next Sunday and then we play Herne Bay. I don’t think you could get three bigger games at the moment, so the fans are going to be crucial."

Worthing climbed to second, nine points behind Invicta, when they won 2-0 at home to Hythe on Tuesday night. They’ve scored more goals than anyone else in the league, while Folkestone boast the division’s meanest defence, having conceded just 18 goals in 25 games.

Cugley said: "Our defence is going to be tested in these next three games. Hythe are scoring goals and Herne Bay are doing well as well.

"Our defence needs to be tested. They’re good players and we’ll see what they’re all about
now.

"It should be a good game on Saturday. Worthing try to play the right way – they’re a young side and well-coached.

"I think there are still four or five teams who could catch us if we go on a bad run. I’ve been in football long enough to know that it can soon change."

Read the full story in the Folkestone & Hythe Express.