Folkestone Invicta cross the water this weekend to try and halt Hornchurch’s impressive run.

Both sides are challenging for the play-off places in Isthmian Premier with the Essex side 11 matches unbeaten in the league.

Last season’s FA Trophy winners Hornchurch took some time to find their feet this campaign but appear to be on the right path now. Neil Cugley’s team should be well equipped to cope, however.

The Folkestone boss has bolstered his squad recently with new signings and has few selection issues.

Cugley said: “Last season was unbelievable for Hornchurch and a hell of an achievement, beating some big sides and maybe they had a bit of a hangover from that as they didn’t start the season too well. But they are one of the in-form teams now and we’ll be looking forward to it.

“We are not a club that will suddenly throw loads of money at it but the Wrexham (FA Trophy) tie made us money and selling Finn O’Mara was money I used to bring in Andy Drury and Luke Wanadio.

“All credit to the club, they have backed me with money to allow me to bring those players in. They are big signings for us at an important time and maybe in the past they are signings we wouldn’t have been able to do, it shows the progression of the club which is good.”

Folkestone were surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw at home to Bowers & Pitsea on Tuesday night. Invicta twice came from behind and needed a last minute goal from Jordan Wright to claim a point.

Speaking to the club media after that draw, Cugley said: "We were a bit lethargic in the first half, although we improved in the second.

“The players seem to be feeling the pressure a bit as we look to maintain a place in the play-offs, but there’s no need to as they are talented players, and at home as we haven’t lost a League game for almost two years.”

Last Saturday, Invicta were held to a 1-1 draw with Carshalton but Cugley knows he has quality up top and conceded it was just one of those days for his forwards.

He said: “There are a little bit of a bogey team for us but we should have got a victory, we had a lot of chances.

“We were disappointed with their goal as well, it was one of those days where we did enough to deserve to win the game. We just didn’t get over the line which was a shame.

“We had options in and around the box but we just didn’t take the right ones and were shooting when maybe we should pass and were passing when we should shoot.

“We won’t make a big issue of it, we will get on with it and I wouldn’t swap my front three at the moment, they are a handful, it was just one of those days.”

It was loan signing Wanadio who fired Invicta ahead before Carshalton levelled.

“We needed a bit of pace out wide and he has given us that,” said Cugley. “He is quite exciting, he has done well and is enjoying it so everyone is happy.”