We begin the Easter weekend by welcoming Lewes to the Alcaline Stadium on Good Friday 

Invicta

Invicta come into the easter weekend off the back of 3 wins in 4 games

Andy Drury’s side are also 4 unbeaten at the Alcaline Stadium, with just 1 defeat in 7 home games since the turn of the year, only runaway leaders Hornchurch taking all 3 points from Cheriton Road in 2024. 

Midfielder Tom Kavanagh looks set to miss the rest of his spell with Invicta having dislocated his shoulder after falling awkwardly in Sunday’s win at Cray Wanderers. We wish Tom all the best with his recovery. 

Manager Andy Drury has rebalanced the numbers in his squad by recalling Jordon Ababio from his loan spell at Ashford United. Jordon scored 3 times in 7 appearances for the Isthmian South East side during his spell at Homelands. 

From The Manager

Manager Andy Drury spoke on Wednesday evening:

“We have been in good form recently, we’ve won 3 of the last 4 and have built a bit of momentum for the final straight of the season. It’s going to be a tough Easter weekend. We will be coming up against 2 sides who have ambitions of reaching the playoffs in their final 8 games so we are going to have be be at our very best. But we go into the weekend in a positive mood after those recent wins and having relieved some of the pressure off ourselves and we hope to see a big crowd on Good Friday as we look to make it 3 home wins in a row.”

Previously

Invicta took a rare win from The Dripping Pan back in September as goals from David Smith, Ibrahim Olutade and Ira Jackson JR secured the 3 points on a sweltering afternoon in Sussex to end The Rooks unbeaten start to the season. 

You can watch the highlights here 

The sides have 2 wins each from the last 4 meetings at Cheriton Road, but Lewes have taken the last 2, winning both games 2-1. 

The Opposition

With 8 games still to play, Lewes will need a good run of form in order to better their 7th and 6th place finishes of the previous 2 seasons and reach the playoffs. Tony Russell’s side are currently sitting in 11th place with 51 points, 9 points from 5th place Wingate & Finchley. 

Lewes ended a run of 3 games without a win on Saturday as they beat bottom side Concord Rangers 2-1 at The Dripping Pan before Tuesday night’s clash with Horsham was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. 

The Rooks have won 2 of their last 6 away fixtures,  with 2 impressive Derby victories over Hastings United and Horsham but have lost all of their last 4 trips out of Sussex without scoring a single goal. Those 4 defeats did however all come against sides in the top half of the division, with their final 4 trips all against sides in the bottom half, starting on Friday. 

With Joe Taylor having departed last summer to lead Ramsgate’s push for promotion from the Isthmian South East Division, Lewes have had to look elsewhere for goals this season. Top scorer Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala (15) struck against Invicta in September and have been supported by Tommy Wood (12) and Chris Whelpdale (11). 

Admission  

We are currently installing a new ticketing system at the Alcaline Stadium, with testing beginning on Friday.

There will be no pre-purchase tickets available for Friday’s fixture which will remain pay on the gate. Supporters may notice the new system in operation on The Dugout turnstiles but should expect no disruption to their normal matchday experience.

We look forward to rolling our the new system in full over the final few games of the 2023/24 season as we prepare for the start of the new season.

Adults (18-59)	£12
Concessions (60+, Students with ID, Blue Light Card holders)	£9
Disabled Supporters	£9 (Carer FREE)
Young Adult (13-17)	£6
Children (under 13)	FREE
Folkestone Invicta Academy, Youth & Disability players (with ID)	FREE

Food & Drink

The Dugout Sports Bar will be open from 11am showing live sport on 13 screens including a new big screen. 

12:30	Bristol City v Leicester	EFL Championship
15:00	Wrexham v Mansfield	EFL League 2
15:00	Solihull Moors v Barnet	National League
17:30	Blackburn v Ipswich	EFL Championship
20:00	Watford v Leeds	EFL Championship

The Dugout kitchen will be open from 4pm. Food will also be available from the food truck inside the stadium. 

The Wilf Armory Bar will be open.

Both cash & card are accepted on the turnstiles and inside the stadium. 

There will also be live music after the match.