Invicta travel to the Bauvill Stadium on Saturday for our final Kent Derby of the season against Chatham Town

Invicta

Invicta could potentially line up with 4 former Chatham players in the side on Saturday; Eddie Allsopp & Cameron Brodie both players for The Chats earlier this season while Seidou Sanogo and Andy Drury were both part of the side that won the Isthmian South East Division last season. 

Brodie is however a doubt, along with Dean Rance, Tom Derry and Chris Sessegnon who is nearing a return from his injury picked up last month against Kingstonian. 

Invicta come into the fixture in better form than our hosts, with 4 wins from the last 6 and manager Andy Drury is keen for his side to end the season with a good run of results and to finish as high up the Isthmian Premier Division as possible. 

While it may seem a tough task, Invicta are no stranger to picking up points in tough away fixtures this season, having beaten 3 of the current top 6 away from home (Enfield Town, Wingate & Finchley and Billericay Town).

Ups & Downs

Hornchurch have now secured the Isthmian Premier Division title having beaten Chatham Town 2-1 in injury time last Saturday to secure promotion to the National League South. 

Chatham can secure their spot in the playoffs on Saturday with a win, or should other results go their way. 

Enfield Town and Wingate & Finchley could also secure a spot should they win and Hastings United lose. 

At the other end we have seen 3 of the 4 relegation places secured, with Concord Rangers, Haringey Borough and Kingstonian all being relegated over the past week. 

Margate are unbeaten in 5 with 11 points from 15 and are putting up a fight of catching Cheshunt, especially having come from 2-0 down to win at Potters Bar (or more accurately at Haringey Borough’s Coles Park) on Thursday night. That win leaves them 3 points adrift having played a game more. Margate host champions Hornchurch on Saturday while Cheshunt travel to playoff-chasing Billericay, nothing can be decided with the battle to stay set to continue until next Saturday at the earliest. 

From The Manager

Manager Andy Drury spoke on Thursday:

“Our form has been good in recent weeks and even though we are now mathematically safe we want to make sure that continues until the end of the season. We want to pick up as many wins and points as possible and finish as high as we can. 

Chatham have had a fantastic season, continuing the momentum of their previous 2 promotions and go into Saturday looking to secure a playoff place. They won twice at Cheriton Road earlier in the season so we are well aware of how good they are and this will be a marker of how far we have come as a group and where we now are. We will need to be at the very top of our game but if we are there is no reason we cannot come home with a result.”

Kit

Invicta will line up in black & amber, with Chatham Town wearing a red, white and black home kit.  

Previously

The sides have met twice so far this season with Chatham running out winners twice at the Alcaline Stadium. 

The Chats took 3 points during the 1st week of the season with a dramatic 3-2 win in injury time before then winning a Kent Senior Cup tie 5-0 in September. 

Invicta’s last visit to Chatham was a 1-0 win in the Ryman League South back in December 2015 thanks to a goal from Ian Draycott. 

The Opposition

Chatham Town have certainly continued the momentum from successive promotions as they look to make it 3 in a row to reach the National League South, having been promoted from the SCEFL as runners up to Sheppey United 2 seasons ago then won the Isthmian South East Division a year ago. 

Chatham may have one eye on midweek when they will travel to Aveley to face Hashtag United in the Velocity Cup final. They also came close to reaching a second consecutive Kent Senior Cup final but were beaten by National League side Ebbsfleet United, which may come as a blessing as the finals take place on the same night. 

While Invicta may be in better form, The Chats’ home record makes for daunting reading. Kevin Hake’s side have won 12 of the last 13 at home, including the last 7 in all competitions.

They have yet to fail to score at home so far this season in the Isthmian Premier Division, with only Cray Valley managing to keep a clean sheet in the FA Trophy. 

At the other end however a clean sheet of their own is a rarity, the last coming in a 2-0 win over Hornchurch back in December. With Invicta having only failed to score once away from home (0-0 v Haringey Borough) since Andy Drury took charge in November, that sets up nicely for a stalemate on Saturday!

Invicta may see a couple of familiar faces in the Chatham lineup although captain Jack Evans missed last week’s defeat at Hornchurch, Francis Mampolo who made 2 appearances for Invicta earlier in the season has scored 2 goals in 3 appearances since joining the club before the transfer deadline. 

The Venue

Travel

Always check rail times/strike action before you travel. 

Chatham is the station closest to The Bauvill Stadium, a 20 minute walk from the stadium.

Admission  

You can buy tickets online in advance

Adults	£12
Concession	£8
Under 16	£3