Invicta wrap up our pre-season with a trip to Tonbridge Angels
Invicta
Manager Andy Drury will be hoping to have as close to his full strength side available for Saturday’s match, just 7 days ahead of the Isthmian Premier Division kick off against Carshalton Athletic.
Defender Frankie Morgan picked up a knock against Maidstone United on Tuesday night but midfielder Jack Jebb and forward Tom Derry were both involved in the warm up as the look towards a return to action.
It will be a return to Longmead for new Invicta goalkeeper Jonny Henly who departed Tonbridge this summer after seven years at the club.
Tom Derry is also a former Tonbridge player, having spend 20 months at the club from 2019-20.
From The Manager
Manager Andy Drury spoke on Tuesday evening:
“Tonbridge are a good club with a good manager and a good squad of players. We would expect them to be there or thereabouts in the National South next season and it will be a good test for the boys, like Maidstone were tonight and we have been unlucky not to come away with a better result.
We go into Saturday looking to get those final minutes into the boys, it’s another game for them to get used to the way we want to play, to get used to what we are expecting from them individually and collectively. We’re looking forward to it ahead of the start of the season the following week.”
Asked about recruitment the manager said:
“We are still 1 or 2 away. You get some you want and others you wit for, we have identified players we want to bring in and if we can get them done they will be really good singings for us so we will see where we go over the next few days.”
Kit
Invicta will line up in our red & white away kit on Saturday with Tonbridge Angels in their blue home kit.
Previously
The sides have met regularly for pre-season fixtures since the Angels promotion from the Isthmian Premier Division in 2019, although the fixtures are generally played at Cheriton Road.
This will be Invicta’s first visit to Longmead Stadium since a 3-1 win on Boxing Day 2018, goals from Ian Draycott, Scott Heard and Alfie Paxman.
Invicta have a decent record from recent trips to Longmead, with 2 wins and 2 draws from 4 visits in the last 10 years.
The Opposition
Tonbridge Angels have comfortably established themselves in the National League South since promotion in 2019.
Manager Jay Saunders took over from his predecessor Steve McKimm in the summer of 2022, leading them to 9th and 14th place finishes in his 2 seasons in charge.
The Angels have had a busy summer, Saturday’s final pre-season fixtures will be their 9th of the summer.
So far they have picked up away wins at Corinthian and Dover but have won just 2 from 6 at home, beating Margate and a Chalton Athletic XI but losing to Chatham and higher level opposition in Sutton United, Bromley and Ebbsfleet.
Like Invicta they will kick off their league season on Saturday 10th August, hosting Weymouth.
The Venue
The Longmead Stadium was built in 1980, with Tonbridge moving from their previous home The Angel Ground that they had occupied since 1948.
The stadium holds 3,000 spectators with 760 seats and a covered terrace behind each goal.
In the summer of 2022 a new artificial playing surface was installed, Saturday will be our first visit to play on the pitch.
Travel
Always check rail times/strike action before you travel.
Trains to Tonbridge depart Folkestone twice an hour: direct taking 55 minutes or changing at Ashford taking approximately 65 minutes. The walk from Tonbridge station to Longmead is at least 45 minutes but there are several bus services that will take you a lot closer to the ground.
Admission
Card and cash are accepted on the turnstiles but tickets are available online in advance. You can purchase them here.
Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
| Adults | £10 |
| Concession | £8 |
| Age 12-17 | £5 |
| Under 12 | FREE |
