Invicta’s final game before the bust Christmas period sees us make the trip across Kent to visit Chatham Town.
Saturday will be our second away Kent derby of the season, having won at Dover back in August. We will travel to Cray Wanderers in February before trips to Dartford and Cray Valley in April.
Invicta have won 2 of our 4 Kent derbies so far this season, a win and a defeat to Dover, defeat to Cray Valley and a win over Cray Wanderers. Our first meeting with Dartford awaits us next weekend.
Team News
Manager Andy Drury has been busy this week with the additions of Sam Smith on a 1-month loan from Maidstone United and Nathan Green who returns to the club from Hornchurch. Sam goes straight into the squad for the trip to Chatham, but fans will have to wait a couple of weeks before they’ll see Greeny in a black & amber shirt.
We can confirm that left back Jamie Mascoll has departed the club this week. We would like to thank Jamie for his efforts for Invicta this season and wish him the best of luck in the next stage of his career.
Invicta are likely to be without a number of players again on Saturday, with Ian Gayle, Joel-Michael Odeniran, Mathias Fanimo, Frankie Morgan, Khale Da Costa and Jack Jebb will all miss the trip to Chatham while Dan Smith and Dean Rance are doubts. Tom Derry is able to return after serving a 1-match suspension on Tuesday evening.
From The Manager
Manager Andy Drury spoke ahead of Saturday’s trip to Chatham: “We’ve been left disappointed by defeats to Whitehawk and Potters Bar where we feel we have thrown away points that would have us sitting in the playoffs and it is important we put that right on Saturday as we head into the busy Christmas period.
Saturday’s trip to Chatham will be tough, especially with the bodies we have missing, but we go there determined to come away with a win. We had a good session on Thursday to prepare the boys, we know they are on a good run and it is our job to bring that to an end to push ourselves back towards the top 5.”
Previously
Invicta’s recent record against The Chats doesn’t make for good reading, 4 defeats in a row with only 2 goals scored in those fixtures. Invicta’s last win against Chatham came in the 2015/16 season, Neil Cugley’s side winning home and away on their way to winning the Isthmian South title.
Last 6
29/09/15 – Invicta 2-1 Chatham (Ryman South)
01/12/15 – Chatham 0-1 Invicta (Ryman South)
03/10/20 – Invicta 0-3 Chatham (FA Cup)
15/08/23 – Invicta 2-3 Chatham
12/09/23 – Invicta 0-5 Chatham (Kent Senior Cup)
13/04/24 – Chatham 2-0 Invicta
The Opposition
Having finished 2nd in the Isthmian Premier Division last season before losing to Enfield Town in the playoff final, Chatham haven’t had the smoothest start to their second season at step 3 but appear to now be finding momentum. The Chats are currently on a 10-match unbeaten run that has seen them climb from 16th to 7th in 2 months.
Last 6
12/11 – Horsham (H) – Won 2-0
16/11 – Slough Town (A) – Drew 1-1 (Lost 4-2 on penalties) (FA Trophy)
19/11 – Wingate & Finchley (A) – Drew 1-1
23/11 – Whitehawk (H) – Won 5-0
30/11 – Bognor Regis (A) – Won 7-1
10/12 – Cheshunt (A) – Won 1-0
Key Man
Former West Ham forward Freddie Sears is currently Chatham’s top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions since arriving in Medway this summer. Sears’ CV also includes long spells at Colchester United and Ipswich Town, and although he turned 35 last month he clearly still has pedigree in front of goal that Invicta’s defence will need to be aware of on Saturday.
The Venue
Travel
Always check rail times/strike action before you travel.
Getting to Chatham by public transport couldn’t be much easier. Trains to Dover depart once an hour, change to the London Victoria service and you’ll be at Chatham just over 90 minutes after departing Folkestone. The Bauvill Stadium is a 25 minute walk or a 9 minute bus from Chatham Station.
Admission
Supporters can pay on the turnstile for this fixture or can purchase online in advance. You can purchase online here
- Adult: £12
- Concession: £8
- U16: £3
