A much-changed Invicta side exited the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday night after sudden death penalty shootout drama at VCD Athletic.

Jay Saunders opted for eight changes from the side the beat Burgess Hill on Saturday, with only Josh Strouts, Finley Marjoram and Mikey Berry retaining their place. Isaac Ogunseri, on a dual-registration with SCEFL side Fisher, made his debut in goal, with Bivesh Gurung starting in defence alongside teenager Dillon Simmons and academy scholar Louis Brooks-Read. Brad Walledge returned from injury on the right, while Ronnie Dolan and Jack Jebb started in midfield and Jake Hutchinson partnered Strouts in attack.

On the bench, Invicta included two more academy scholars – Harris Dover and Harry Linford – as well as teenager Sonny Radbourne, who featured for us during pre-season.

Invicta had the first sight of goal in the 12th minute as Hutchinson was fed in by Strouts, his first touch taking him around VCD goalkeeper Frankie Leonard but wide of the goal with his effort from an angle hitting the side netting. Two minutes later it was Strouts who was released on goal by a long pass but Leonard threw himself at the feet of the Invicta forward to smother the ball.

Lee Bird had VCD’s first chance of the evening shortly after the quarter of an hour mark, controlling a pass on his chest just outside the Invicta penalty area and striking his shot on the turn but straight at Ogunseri.

Hutchinson was found in space by Mikey Berry in the 21st minute, again at a tight angle he fired his effort across goal and wide. VCD responded quickly with an effort from Bethal Gboda which again was hit straight at Ogunseri from distance.

As we approached the half hour mark, Strouts forced a first save from Leonard after linking well with Hutchinson. VCD cleared the ball but Invicta kept up the pressure to deliver a cross from the left that fell to Jebb who struck his effort off target.

A minute later Marjoram cut in from the left to force a save with a low effort. Leonard parried allowing Berry to make a lunge for the ball but the keeper recovered and got there first while also taking out Berry. Appeals for a penalty came from behind the goal but were swiftly waived away by the referee.

Goalless at the break, but both sides remained unchanged for the start of the second half. The sides traded a wayward effort each before Invicta found the breakthrough midway through the half, a short corner worked to Bivesh Gurung who fired home to open his account for the club.

Invicta replaced Mikey Berry with Sonny Radbourne for his senior debut, followed by academy scholar Harry Linford who replaced Josh Strouts in attack.

VCD pushed for an equaliser but failed to test Ogunseri until the final minute of the 90, Lee Bird cutting inside from the right onto his left foot to strike an effort from outside the penalty area that appeared to be heading wide until it struck a defensive leg to turn it just inside the far post.

The tie went straight to a penalty shootout at full time, with Invicta taking first. Jebb and Dolan beat Leonard with perfectly placed spot kicks, but were matched by their counterparts in green and white. Leonard got a hand to both Odeniran’s and Gurung’s penalties but was unable to keep it out and then Hutchinson buried Invicta’s final kick. VCD also scored their final one to take us to sudden death.

Substitute Montel McKenzie stepped up for Invicta’s sixth kick but saw it strike the underside of the crossbar, allowing Michael Fenn to smash his high down the middle to win the tie and set up a meeting with Welling United in the next round.

Invicta’s attentions turn to Saturday’s FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round tie away to National League South side Horsham. Seats are available on our supporters’ coach, click here to book now.