Our fourth fixture of pre-season is the short trip to Ashford United’s Green Box Stadium.

Team News

Supporters will again see a mixture of first team players and trialists on Tuesday evening, as Jay Saunders and his management team continue to manage players’ minutes.

Kit

Invicta will be back in our sky blue away kit on Tuesday night, Ashford playing in green.

Supporters can purchase replica kit online or in-store at Landau Store, 111 Sandgate Road.

From The Manager

First-team manager Jay Saunders spoke ahead of Tuesday night’s trip to Ashford: “Ashford should provide a good test for the boys on Tuesday night, a side looking to push at the top end of their division. We will have to assess the players after Saturday and see where we are at as we manage minutes but we are steadily ramping things up, getting the lads to where we want them to be for the start of the season.”

The Opposition

Since finishing second to Hastings, and play-off final defeat to Herne Bay in 2021/22, Ashford have been unable to mount a real push for promotion in the Isthmian South East Division, finishing 9th, 11th and 11th in the past three seasons.

Ashford have won one, drawn one and lost one so far this pre-season. Having been losing at half time to both Maidstone United and Whitstable Town, the Nuts and Bolts came back to earn a draw and win respectively, but were unable to repeat the feat on Saturday when they lost 1-0 to Hythe Town having had a player sent off in the first half.

Recent Meetings

It’s been a long time since the last competitive meeting between the two sides – a Velocity Cup first round tie in 2018.

The sides have met in friendlies almost yearly since – with the exception of 2023 when our fixture clashed with Ashford’s early involvement in the FA Cup. Supporters have been treated to 29 goals across our last five friendlies, so we may well expect a goal-fest on Tuesday evening!

Last 6

18/09/18 – Ashford 0-4 Invicta (Velocity Cup)
03/08/19 – Ashford 2-7 Invicta (Friendly)
05/09/20 – Invicta 6-1 Ashford (Friendly)
31/07/21 – Ashford 2-3 Invicta (Friendly)
07/08/22 – Invicta 4-2 Invicta (Friendly)
13/07/24 – Ashford 0-2 Invicta (Friendly)

One To Watch

Forward Gary Lockyer found the net 36 times last season, including 10 in the FA Cup that saw him awarded the Mitre Golden Ball for the competition’s top goalscorer.

After scoring 10 goals in the #EmiratesFACup this season, @AshfordUnitedFC‘s Gary Lockyer is your @MitreSports Golden Ball winner 🏆 pic.twitter.com/8LIpDsOjMZ

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 17, 2025

Familiar Faces

Invicta fans should recognise a few faces in the Ashford line-up on Tuesday night – Will Moses, Louis Collins, Kane Penn and Sam Hasler are all signed on for the 2025/26 season.

How To Follow

You can keep up to date with the action with updates from our X (formerly Twitter) account.

The Venue

Travel

Always check rail times/strike action before you travel. 

Homelands isn’t the easiest of stadiums to access via public transport. Supporters can take the 511 or 2A bus from outside Ashford International Station and alight at Smithfield Crossroads, which is an 11-minute walk from the stadium.

Admission  

Supporters can pay on the gate or buy online for this fixture.

• Adult: £6
• Concession: £3
• Under 18: £1
• Under 12: FREE