Invicta will look to be throw a spanner into the Isthmian Premier Division title race on Saturday when we travel to face leaders Dartford at Princes Park.
Invicta have 6 away wins this season, 4 of those coming against sides in the bottom 6 but the other 2 coming against sides in the top 5, with wins at Dover and Horsham in the first half of the season. Invicta are set to travel to 3 of the top 5 this month, with Billericay Town and Cray Valley PM to follow.
Team News
Left back Nathan Green remains suspended having been sent off during last month’s defeat to Chichester City.
The Opposition
Dartford are playing in the Isthmian League for the first time since the 2009/10 season, spending the last 14 years playing in the Conference/National League until relegation from the National League South at the end of last season. The Darts took a while to adjust to life in the Isthmian Premier Division and were sat 15th after 12 games but a 21-match unbeaten run from the start of November until the middle of February lifted Ade Pennock’s side to the top of the Isthmian League.
With 5 games remaining Dartford sit 1 point clear of Billericay Town and 4 points clear of Horsham
Last 6
22/02 – Cheshunt (A) – Lost 3-0
01/03 – Horsham (H) – Won 2-1
08/03 – Lewes (A) – Lost 3-1
15/03 – Hastings United (H) – Won 2-0
22/03 – Bognor Regis Town (A) – Won 2-0
29/03 – Dulwich Hamlet (A) – Won 3-0
Previously
Until this season it had been over 20 years since the side last met in league fixtures, both sides competing in the Southern League Eastern Division in the 2003/04 season. Invicta won 6-1 at Stonebridge Road in February 2004 with an Allan Tait hat-trick plus strikes from Anthony Hogg, Martin Chandler and John Ayling before winning 1-0 at Cheriton Road thanks to a single goal from James Dryden.
Since 2004 the clubs have competed in different leagues, only meeting in cup competitions. Clashes in the mid-2000s were tight, going to extra time and penalties as the sides shared a win apiece, but The Darts have dominated more recent meetings in the Kent Senior Cup.
Dartford ran out 1-0 winners when the sides met earlier this season, Callum Jones with the only goal of the game.
Last 6
08/01/05 – Dartford 1-2 Invicta (after extra time) (Kent Senior Cup)
12/09/06 – Dartford 2-2 Invicta (5-3 on pens) (Westview Cup)
07/11/11 – Invicta 1-4 Dartford (Kent Senior Cup)
25/02/20 – Dartford 4-0 Invicta (Kent Senior Cup
17/05/22 – Invicta 2-6 Dartford (Kent Senior Cup Final at Chatham Town)
21/12/24 – Invicta 0-1 Dartford
The Manager
Former Gillingham manager Adrian Pennock was appointed Dartford manager in March as the club looked to survive regelation from the National League South. As well as experience across non-league football with Welling United, Forest Green Rovers and Barrow before a spell in Brunei with Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota where he lead them to the 2019 Singapore Premier League title.
Pennock added a familiar face to his backroom staff last summer, with former Invicta manager Roland Edge joining as assistant manager.
Key Man
A product of the Colchester United academy, Callum Jones is Dartford’s joint-top scorer with 13 goals in all competitions, including thew winner over Invicta back in November. The former Chelmsford City and Billericay Town forward has 3 goals in his last 2 appearances to help fire Dartford back to the top of the Isthmian League.
How To Follow
Charlie Prescott and Adrian Dawkes from Seasiders Radio will be there to bring you live radio commentary from Princes Park.
You can also keep up to date with the action with updates from our X (formerly Twitter) account and live score updates are available on Football Webpages.
The Venue
Travel
Always check rail times/strike action before you travel.
There are a number of routes for those wishing to travel to Dartford by train. Supporters can travel via London Bridge or Dover Priory, journeys taking just over 2 hours.
Admission
Supporters can pay on the gate or buy online for this fixture.
- Adult: £15
- Concession (Over 65 & Age 17): £10
- Youth (13-16): £5
- Junior (Under 12): FREE
