Invicta fell to pre-season defeat against Isthmian South East side Sheppey United on Tuesday evening, goals either side of half-time securing victory for The Ites despite Ade Yusuff’s late strike.

Jay Saunders shuffled his squad from Saturday’s win over Hythe Town, with just three trialists in the starting XI. Both Ollie Black and Jack Jebb came into the side, while the attacking pair of Jake Hutchinson and Josh Strouts were afforded a start.

The opening minutes were lively, Invicta mis-timing a volley from close range before Sheppey went up the other end and struck the crossbar. Jebb delivered a dangerous free kick that narrowly evaded the touch of multiple blue shirts, Sheppey then seeing a low shot fly across the face of goal.

Invicta began to take control of the game, with Jeremy Santos forcing the first save of the evening with a low effort from distance before Trialist 11 fired narrow wide of the bottom corner.

Sheppey goalkeeper Adam Molloy had to be at his very best in the 35th minute after a Montel McKenzie shot was deflected into the path of Jake Hutchinson who saw his header saved at point blank range.

Trialist 11 went closer to opening the scoring with an effort from just outside the penalty area that struck the base of the post, Strouts laying the ball back off to Jebb who fired over.

Just minutes before the half time break the hosts took the lead through captain Danny Leonard, who had looked a constant threat throughout the first period. The winger raced in from the right and latched onto a through ball before firing into the far bottom corner.

Invicta opted for just the two changes at the break, with Mikey Berry coming on for Jack Jebb and one trialist replacing another.

Strouts went close to levelling the score early in the second half, firing an effort across goal that Hutchinson was unable to divert home.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 53rd minute from a quick counter attack, racing up the pitch and finishing the move with a vicious effort off the underside of the crossbar.

Invicta responded by forcing another superb save from Molloy, Trialist 20 meeting a header at the back post that the keeper turned around the post with his fingertips.

The hour mark brought a host of changes, Saunders introducing Ade Yusuff, Dean Rance, Brad Walledge and two more trialists.

It was Yusuff who halved the deficit inside the final 20 minutes. Trialists 20 and 21 linked to feed the forward who drove into the penalty area before unleashing an effort from his left foot into the top corner.

Yusuff nearly found his second 10 minutes later, chesting a cross from Trialist 20 into the air but unable to keep his volley under the crossbar.

Our pre-season fixtures continue on Saturday with a trip to face SCEFL Champions Faversham Town at the Aquatherm Stadium. Tickets are available to purchase online now.