Invicta’s first away trip of the season is our shortest as we make the 9 mile journey to Dover for Derby Day

Invicta

Twelve players made their Invicta debuts on Saturday as we kicked off the season with a 1-1 draw at home to Carshalton Athletic. 

Invicta came through the game unscathed and will be hoping midfielder Jack Jebb is getting close to a return to fitness.

Sam Blackman missed Saturday due to a suspension picked up last season and will serve the final game on Tuesday night, making him available for Saturday’s trip to Wingate & Finchley. 

Manager Andy Drury added defender Peter Ojemen to his squad ahead of Saturday’s kick off. You can read more about Peter here. 

From The Manager

Manager Andy Drury spoke on Monday: 

“With our first game under our belts we can now look forward to what is a big game on Tuesday. Very few players have had the pleasure of playing in a derby between Folkestone and Dover, it is something to relish and enjoy. These are the games you want to play in, these are the occasions that give you an extra buzz as a player, a manager and of course as a supporter.

We have come away from Saturday with a point, with positives to take and analysing the things we need to improve on. It is a game we were disappointed not to have won with the chances we created but we are still learning and gelling as a group, a point was probably a fair result on the balance of play.

They have a core group of talented youngsters that have played together, they’ve added good experience at the back with a goalkeeper who knows the club well and a defence he played with last season. As a club they have had a pretty torrid few years, they are looking to change that and a result like they had on Saturday can be a real kickstart for their season.

We are expecting a really tough test but we are going there looking to pick up our first win of the season. I’m looking forward to seeing a large away support and it is our job to make sure they are celebrating at full time.”

Kit

Invicta will line up in our red & white shirts with red shorts and socks, our hosts in their home colours of white shirt with black shorts and socks. 

Previously

It has been 20 years since the sides last met in the league, Invicta taking all 6 points with 1-0 wins home and away. 

Defender John Guest scored the goal at Cheriton Road in December 2004 but it was James Dryden who scored a late winner at Crabble on Easter Monday 2005, the goal holding a special place in history as it broke Paul Chambers record as Invicta’s all time top goalscorer. 

Dover were relegated to the Isthmian League Division One at the end of the 2004/05 season and the clubs have not competed in the same division since. 

The last competitive meeting between the 2 clubs will bring back some fond memories for many Invicta fans, a 6-0 win at Crabble in the Kent Senior Cup. 

Goals from Johan Ter Horst, Josh Vincent, Kieron McCann and Joe Taylor had Invicta 4-0 up before half time, with Taylor and Ter Horst finishing the job before the hour mark. 

The Opposition

After 2 relegations in 3 years, Dover had had a flying start to life in the Isthmian Premier Division with an 8-0 win over Potter Bar Town on Saturday. 

After a tight opening half hour, 4 goals in 12 minutes put the game to bed before half time as Potters Bar began life at their temporary home of Kings Langley in the worst possible fashion. 

Manager Jake Leberl has had the job of rebuilding the squad this summer. Beginning with bringing goalkeeper Mitch Walker back to the club from Whitehawk before reuniting him with central defenders Luca Cocoracchio and Joe Tennent. 

A number of young players have remained at the core of the squad including George Nikaj, George Wilkinson who are products of the Dover Academy and come with plenty of experience over the past 3 seasons in the National League and National South. 

Familiar Faces

Dover may line up with one familiar face in their side on Tuesday evening, winger Ruben Soares-Junior spent a short period at Invicta last season before moving on to Billericay Town. 

Invicta’s current squad includes 3 players that have previously turned out for Dover: Chris Sessegnon had a spell at Crabble in 2013, Peter Ojemen played 21 games for Dover last season before leaving for Dulwich Hamlet in March and Joel Odeniran is a product of Dover’s academy who played one game for the first team last season. 

The Venue

Crabble is the biggest stadium in the Isthmian Premier Division (according to wikipedia!) with a capacity of 5,745. 

Built in 1931, the ground has been home to many iterations of Dover Football Club over nearly 100 years. 

The ground boast a covered terrace behind each goal, a seated main stand along the entire side of the pitch and the modern family stand that is also all-seater. 

Travel

Always check rail times/strike action before you travel. 

Kearsney is the closest rail station to Crabble, approximately a 25 minute walk from the ground. Dover Priory is further away but regular bus services run. Take the 15 bus from Priory Street and alight at Dodd’s Lane which is a 12 minute walk from the stadium. 

Admission  

Tuesday evening’s match will not be segregated, all supporters should enter the ground via the main turnstiles. 

Please note that Crabble is now a cashless stadium, including on the turnstiles. 

Adults	£15
Concession (Over 60)	£14
Age 11-17	£9
Under 11	FREE