Invicta made it back to back league wins for the first time since September as a 2nd half header from Tom Derry secured all 3 points at the Alcaline Stadium.

With Jake Goodman (concussion) and Chris Sessegnon (hamstring) missing from defence, but captain Ian Gayle returning, Andy Drury opted for a change of shape in his starting XI that included debutant Francis Mampolo (signed on a dual registration from Tonbridge Angels) while Tom Kavanagh (on a 1-month loan from Horsham) would begin life at Cheriton Road on the bench.

The afternoon threatened to break into entertainment with a fast start as a corner from Conor Hubble was hooked just over the bar by Rob Girdlestone after just 2 minutes.

Invicta responded in the 6th minutes as Eddie Allsopp collected the ball at the edge of the box and unleashed an effort that was deflected wide by Jimmy Wallace. Allsopp’s resulting corner threatened to sail into the net but was well clawed away by keeper Sam Jackson.

But aside from an Ian Gayle effort from near halfway that troubled anybody using the tennis courts behind the Remland Stand more than Jackson, the rest of the 1st half passed by without any moment of note, as both teams struggled to find rhythm on a pitch in desperate need of the summer break.

It took 10 minutes of the second half for any action as an Eddie Allsopp delivery just evaded the head of David Smith who collided with Jackson, leaving the keeper needing treatment.

Moments later is was Allsopp on the end of a chance, a Mampolo cross bobbling into Tom Derry who managed to poke it back to Invicta’s number 8 but he failed to keep the shot down.

5 minutes later it was those 3 who combined to produce the game’s decisive moment. Mampolo collected the bal wide on the right and danced as he evaded defenders to unleash an effort that Jackson got down well to save. Allsopp collected the ball to deliver the corner, finding Derry on the edge to the 6 yard box, rising highest above everybody to power his header inside the far post to net his 6th goal for the club.

Mampolo departed during the celebrations as Tom Kavanagh came on to make his debut. Toby Byron replaced Michael Kedman with 7 minutes to go while Louis Collins was the third change of the afternoon as he replaced David Smith on 90 minutes.

With time ticking away in injury time McKenzie-Lyle got down to his left to save a tame header from Bradley Sach. While on the floor Charlie Edwards kicked the ball out from his hands and rolled it into an empty net, a rather strange decision that only served to waste a few more seconds.

It was moments later, with the final kick of the afternoon, that Canvey finally threatened to strike. A cross to the back post found substitute Joe Paxman who hit a first time effort the McKenzie-Lyle parried, Dean Rance blocking the rebound from Sach before Invicta’s keeper claimed the ball back into the box as the final whistle blew to bring a rather turgid 90 minutes to an end.

But regardless of the amount of entertainment on offer, it was job done for Andy Drury and his team, the 3 points taking Invicta 14 clear of Margate and 15 clear of Haringey Borough who both have 8 to play, while 19 clear of Concord Rangers who still have 13 games remaining.

Invicta head to Cheshunt on Tuesday evening looking to make it 3 wins in a row against the side sat directly below us.

Goalscorer Tom Derry was selected as Man of the Match by our match sponsors.