With just 5 games remaining Invicta welcome playoff-chasing Horsham to the Alcaline Stadium 

Invicta

The big news this week from the Alcaline Stadium is that manager Andy Drury has been confirmed as the man who will lead the club into the 2024/25 season. 

Invicta come into the final 5 games on a run of 4 wins from 6 games that has lifted Andy Drury’s side to 16th with 45 points. 

The manager will be hoping to have Tom Derry available after the forward missed Easter Monday’s trip to Hastings with a slight knock picked up against Lewes. 

With Invicta now sat 15 points above the bottom 4 with 5 games to play a solitary point from any of the remaining fixtures, or should Margate fail to win, will mathematically secure safety from relegation.

Meanwhile defeat on Easter Monday ruled out any late charge for the playoffs, although Horsham’s 5-4 win against Bognor Regis Town would have left Invicta with too much too do on that front regardless of our result. 

Ups & Downs

Having been frustrated by both Wingate & Finchley on Saturday and then the weather on Monday, Hornchurch can finally seal the Isthmian Premier Division title on Saturday as they host Chatham Town. With the Urchins just a win away from being crowned as champions, a draw will suffice against their nearest challengers who would secure a playoff spot with a win of their own. 

Alongside Invicta, Canvey Island can secure safety with a win away to Potters Bar Town, or should Margate fail to Beat Kingstonian. Margate sit 6 points behind Cheshunt with 5 games to play so will be in desperate need of 3 points to keep up the pressure, while Cheshunt host Lewes. 

Kingstonain meanwhile can be the first side to be relegated should they fail to beat Margate, or if Cheshunt pick up a single point.

From The Manager

Manager Andy Drury spoke on Thursday evening:

“We are obviously looking to bounce back from Monday’s defeat. We have been on a good run of results and we feel we should have got more at Hastings who are challenging for the playoffs, and we will test ourselves on Saturday against another side with those ambitions. It gives us a good look at where we have progressed as a team since we met Horsham in December.

We want to get back on a winning run and pick up as many points as possible from these final 5 games, especially the 3 at home in front of our own supporters.”

Previously

Inivcta fell to a 2-1 defeat when the sides met earlier in the season. Tom Derry scored his first goal for the club. Although it appeared to have been cleared by the arm of a defender before it crossed the line, the goal was given rather than a penalty and inevitable sending off. Horsham went on to win with 2 second half goals. 

Invicta’s record at home to The Hornets is exemplary, with 7 wins from the last 7 fixtures. Invicta won twice last season, in the FA trophy and Isthmian Premier Division. 

The Opposition

While it could still get better with a playoff spot and potentially promotion, Horsham have already had quite a season. 

The Hornets reached the FA Cup 2nd Round where they eventually lost 3-0 to League 2 side Sutton United in front of a crowd of 4,283 but the real drama came in the 1st round where Barnsley were taken to a replay after a 3-3 draw at Oakdale, the Yorkshire side winning the replay back in Sussex before Horsham were reinstated due to Barnsley fielding an ineligible player. 

They also reached the 4th round of the FA Trophy and will travel to the AMEX Stadium for the Sussex Cup Final against Hastings United. 

Horsham currently sit in 5th with 64 points and crucially have 2 games in hand on the sides directly above them and 3 in hand on those chasing. 

Admission  

Tickets are available to purchase in advance from our new online ticket shop. You can purchase your tickets here. 

Both cash and card are accepted on our turnstiles. Please arrive as early as possible to avoid queues at the turnstiles. 

Please note that the Sid Burvill turnstiles have been closed and all supporters must enter via the turnstiles adjacent to The Dugout Sports Bar

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	Norwich v Ipswich	EFL Championship
12:30	Crystal Palace v Manchester City	Premier League
17:30	Brighton v Arsenal	Premier League

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.