After booking a place in the 2nd Round of the FA Trophy with a 3-0 win over Barton Rovers last weekend, Invicta return to Isthmian League action with a trip to south London to face Carshalton Athletic on Saturday.

Invicta’s win in Bedfordshire sees us 4 games unbeaten in all competitions, with 3 wins and a draw.

The trip to Carshalton is the last in a run of 3 away fixtures for Invicta. That would have been 4, but our trip to Horsham that was due to be played on Tuesday night was postponed due to their involvement in the FA Cup 1st Round this weekend. The fixture was originally moved to 17th December before being brought forward to 26th November, meaning the fixture has not been scheduled for 5 different dates!

After Saturday we look ahead to back to back home fixtures starting with our Bonfire Night Derby clash with Dover Athletic before Cray Wanderers visit on Saturday 9th November. You can purchase online here.

Team News

Manager Andy Drury will be delighted to have a near full compliment to select from going into a busy week for Invicta. Marvel Ekpiteta returned for suspension for last week’s FA Trophy tie at Barton Rovers, while Joel Odeniran missed out due to being cup-tied but will be able to return for league action this week.

Supporters can expect to see a new name on the team sheet on Saturday, the manager adding to his squad this week while we await confirmation from the league.

From The Manager

Manager Andy Drury spoke ahead of Saturday’s fixture: “We head to Carshalton on Saturday looking to maintain our good run of form that has seen us climb in the league and progress in the FA Trophy.

We know Carshalton will provide tough opposition and they are always strong at home on their 3G pitch, our record against them in recent years shows just how difficult trips there have been, but we have to look at the record as a challenge and getting a result there would show our progression as a group.

A positive result is vital as we head into a huge week, with 2 big games back at the Alcaline Stadium against Cover and Cray Wanderers before we host Hanwell Town in the Trophy, if we can continue on our current run of good form through that period it will set up an exciting period for the club.”

Previously

Our record against Carshalton make for terrifying reading, with no win for Invicta against The Robins in 11 meetings. Invicta’s last win came back in April 2016 in the Ryman South but we have taken just 5 points from 33 in the Isthmian Premier Division since then. Invicta haven’t picked up a win at The War Memorial Sports Ground since 2008, but these records are there to be broken so Andy Drury will be set on picking up 3 points against what is the very definition of a bogey team.

The points were shared when the sides met on the opening day of the season, Carshalton taking an early lead before Evans Kouassi levelled the scores. Catch up with highlights on Invicta TV

Last 6

05/02/22 – Invicta 1-1 Carshalton
24/10/22 – Carshalton 1-0 Invicta
07/04/23 – Invicta 0-0 Carshalton
04/11/23 – Carshalton 3-1 Invicta
27/01/24 – Invicta 3-3 Carshalton
10/08/24 – Invicta 1-1 Carshalton

The Opposition

Heading into the weekend, Carshalton currently sit 2 points and 2 places below Invicta in the Isthmian Premier Division with 13 points from their opening 10 games. The Robins are typically strong at home, with just 1 defeat in 9 games at The War Memorial Sports Ground so far this season, although it is just 1 win from 5 games on home soil this term.

Last 6

01/10 – Hashtag United (A) – Won 1-0
05/10 – Hadley (A) –  Won 3-1 (FA Trophy)
12/10 – Boreham Wood (A) – Lost 4-0 (FA Cup)
19/10 – Hendon (H) – Drew 2-2
22/10 – Canvey Island (A) – Lost 1-0
28/10 – Epsom & Ewell (H) – Won 2-1 (Surrey Senior Cup)

Key Man

Having struck against Invicta on the opening day of the season, Dominic Vose is Carshalton’s joint leading goalscorer this term with 4 alongside captain Tommy Bradford. The pair have had very different careers, Vose has played in the EFL with Grimsby, Barnet, Scunthorpe and Colchester as well as spells abroad in Iceland and Gibraltar while Bradford is now in his 13th season at Carshalton.

The Venue

Travel

Always check rail times/strike action before you travel. 

By Train: The closest rail station to Carshalton’s War Memorial Sports Ground, which is a 6 minute walk. Carshalton Station is served by Southern Railways with services running from London Victoria. Alternatively, take a Northern Line underground service to Morden, a 14 minute bus journey to Writhe Green on the 157 service will then take you to a 4 minute walk from the stadium.

Admission  

Supporters can purchase tickets in advance via Carshalton’s website. Click here.

• Adult (over 17): £11
• Senior (over 65): £8
• Child (under 18): £5
• Under 5: FREE