Folkestone's players have been challenged to make their case for a place in Neil Cugley's starting XI.

With just over two weeks until the Bostik Premier opener against Enfield, it's decision time for the Invicta boss.

Dartford visit the Fullicks Stadium on Saturday, their National South rivals Concord having provided the opposition last night (Tuesday).

Cugley said: "They're only one step above us.

"We've been playing teams who are near enough full-time and a couple of lesser teams but we're at home in this game and we should be showing we can at least compete with these sort of teams.

"Players have to now start showing what they're about. Up to now, it's been nowhere near my thinking but as you get closer, you've got to look at competition for places.

"Although we haven't got a massive squad, 14 or 15, they've now got to start showing what they can do to be in the starting line-up."

A under-strength Folkestone side lost 3-2 at Ramsgate on Saturday.

Invicta twice led through Johan ter Horst and Ade Yusuff but the Rams won it with goals from George Crimmen, Sam Lawford and Harry Stannard.

"It was all right," said Cugley. "To be fair we had a lot out and they had a few out. Matt Newman got married so we had a few going to that.

"We played a couple of youngsters and had a couple of under-18s on the bench.

"It was part of the agreement with Alfie Paxman coming to us that we'd go there.

"The first games are about getting your fitness and ticking along but you start playing for places now.

"We've got six or seven players available who were unavailable on Saturday so that makes a big difference."

Fit-again Sam Hasler returns to the squad and Cugley's hunt for a centre-forward continues.

He said: "I'm still speaking to him and I'm hoping he'll play this week so we'll go from there.

"Players have got to be better than what you've got or at least as good, otherwise there's no point doing it.

"You've sometimes got to be patient and we've said it so many times, financially and geographically it can be a little bit of a difficulty but we get on with it."