After a free weekend for Invicta, with our trip to Horsham postponed due to their progress in the FA Cup, we return to action this Saturday as we welcome Hendon to the Alcaline Stadium.
With our abandoned fixture at Wingate & Finchley having been rubber stamped as an official result by the Isthmian League, the point from a 3-3 draw saw Inivcta climb up one place in the table to 13th, with Wingate climbing up into 14th spot just behind us. Captain Ian Gayle will also be happy to see his 2 goals stand, along with Tom Derry’s early header.
With 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats in the league so far this season, Invicta will be looking for 3 points to move back into the top half of the table following back to back defeats in league and FA Cup.
Team News
Manager Andy Drury has made some tweaks to his squad since our defeat to Billericay 2 weeks ago. Midfielders Matt Young and Josh Chambers have departed the club. We thank them for their efforts during their short time at the club and wish them well for the future.
With 2 out the manager has been busy to reinforce his squad and has made one addition, who has trained with the squad over the past 2 weeks and is ready to go on Saturday. Keep your eyes across our social media on Saturday for an announcement ahead of the match.
On the suspension front, Eze Ebuzoeme is set to return after a 1-match ban for his dismissal in the FA Cup at Ramsgate, while Tom Derry will begin a 3-match ban for his viral sending off against Billericay.
Midfielder Jack Jebb has been back in training and is close to a return to action, while Sam Blackman will complete his loan spell at Hythe Town this weekend before returning to us ahead of Tuesday night’s Kent Senior Cup clash with Phoenix Sports.
From The Manager
Andy Drury spoke to our Head of Media on Friday ahead of the fixture – “The weekend off has given us a good chance to regroup after a tough opening month of fixtures. We have had the squad in for 2 weeks of training that has been at a high standard as well as some team bonding for the lads.
We have made a few changes to our squad in the last 2 weeks with a couple of players departing plus an addition to the group who has been in training with us. We had a big rebuild of the squad in the summer, bringing in 16 players, and we are still building. We are demanding high standards from our players and we need to maintain those to get this squad and this club where it wants to go.
We look forward to welcoming Hendon back after their spell in the Southern League, the Alcaline Stadium is very different to when they last visited. We have done our homework on them, they are a good side that play attacking football and expect to score goals and it will be a good test for us and the work we have put in since our last outing.
We know when we are at our best we can beat anyone in this division and we are going to need to be t our best on Saturday. We expect a good crowd that will get behind the lads on the pitch, we want to give them something to cheer and send them home happy at 5pm.”
The Opposition
Hendon returned to the Isthmian League this season after 6 seasons competing in the Southern League Premier South. They have taken to life back in the Isthmian Premier Division well, winning all 3 of their home games but taking 2 points from 3 games on their travels so will be looking for an upturn in form on Saturday.
You can find out more about our visitors in our new feature: Meet the Opposition.
Last 6
14/09 – Herne Bay (A) – Lost 1-0 (FA Cup)
07/09 – Chatham Town (H) – Drew 2-2
31/08 – Whitehawk (H) – Won 3-0 (FA Cup)
26/08 – Cheshunt (H) – Won 2-0
24/08 – Bognor Regis Town (A) – Drew 2-2
17/08 – Cray Wanderers (H) – Won 3-1
Admission
Supporters can pay on the gate by cash or card or can purchase tickets online in advance. Supporters are advised to head to the designated turnstile(s) for their payment method in order to ensure easy enter to the stadium.
- Adults (18-59): £12
- Concession (60+, student, disabled, Blue Lights Card): £9
- Young Adult (13-17): £6
- Child (under 13): FREE
How To Follow
If you can make it to the match you can follow the action via our X (formerly Twitter) account. Alternatively, live score updates are available on Football Webpages.
Food & Drink
The Dugout Sports Bar will be open from 11:30am, with the Dugout Kitchen open for food. The Dugout accepts both cash & card.
Food and refreshments will also be available from the truck inside the stadium, located between The Dugout and the Folkestone Bowls Club building.
We have FOUR new fanzone bars around the ground serving draught beer, Guinness, water and soft drinks. 2 bars are adjacent to The Dugout, one beside the tea hut window and one beside the disability shelter. These bars are CARD ONLY.
The Dugout Sports Bar
The Dugout will be showing all the day’s sporting action on 13 screens.
- 10:30 – England v Australia Men’s ODI
- 12:30 – West Ham v Chelsea
- 12:30 – EFL football on Sky Sports+
- 16:00 – Live PPV Boxing: Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois + undercard.
- 17:30 – Palace v Man Utd
🥊 An all-British showdown for the IBF World Heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium and it’s live at The Dugout on Saturday 21st September #livesport #liveevents #folkestone #boxing #anthonyjoshua pic.twitter.com/NU6QkkwJLX
— The Dugout Sports Bar & Kitchen (@thedugoutCT19) September 12, 2024
