Invicta kicked off 2025 with a 3-1 win over Hastings United in torrential rain and high winds at the Alcaline Stadium.

Andy Drury made 2 changes to the side that beat Wingate & Finchley on Saturday, with Sam Smith replacing Frankie Morgan at left back and Amadou Kassaraté returning in midfield in place of Conor Kelly.

Invicta were in front inside a minute, Dan Smith feeding the ball wide to Evans Kouassi who drilled a low effort across the goalkeeper into the far corner, even quicker than his goal against Wingate & Finchley.

The home side continued to dominate the first half, Joe Turner and Jack Jebb both forced good saves from Hastings goalkeeper Louis Rogers.

Invicta eventually made their dominance count after 37 minutes, a Jebb corner cleared as far Kouassi who delivered to the back post where Marvel Ekpiteta appeared to get the final touch to score his first for the club. The defender injured himself in the process but was able to carry on.

Kouassi was the provider again in the final minute of the half, dazzling his fullback before delivering a cross that was headed home from close range by captain Ian Gayle for his second goal of the week.

Jonny Henly had been forced off just after half time on Saturday but it was his kit that failed to last the 90 minutes this time, coming out in a blue number for the second half, much to the confusion of the crowd!

Invicta failed to assert the same dominance onto the second half but held Hastings at arm’s length. Ian Gayle came closest to added in 4th with a header before the visitors scored directly from a corner with 13 minutes to go.

Although the clean sheet was gone, Henly’s goal remained untested for the remainder of the afternoon.

Winger Evans Kouassi was awarded man of the match for his goal and 2 assists.

The win takes Invicta up to 8th in the Isthmian Premier Division, 4 points off the playoffs.