The eighth and final stop on this summer’s pre-season tour takes Invicta to the familiar destination of Hornchurch.

Team News

Jeremy Santos will be missing having picked up an injury at Tonbridge Angels on Saturday, but Jay Saunders can otherwise expect to pick from a full squad with Ade Yusuff, Dean Rance and Kevin Lokko all set to return after missing Tuesday night’s win at Dover.

Kit

Invicta will be in our away sky blue kit at Hornchurch, with our hosts in red.

From The Manager

First-team manager Jay Saunders spoke following Tuesday night’s win against Dover:

“Saturday will be a really good test against a side fancied to do well in the National South next season.”

“They had a good season last season and have strengthened over the summer, Daryl [McMahon] has some really good players there so it will be a great final test to finish off pre-season.”

“I’m really looking forward to it and to getting pre-season finished and heading into the start of the season next week.”

The Opposition

Hornchurch are building on an impressive first season in the National League South, having finished 9th following their promotion at Isthmian Premier Division champions last summer.

Summer additions include Myles Weston (Bromley), Rhys Byrne and Charlie Pegrum (Leyton Orient), Arthur Nasta (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Josh Hare (Boreham Wood), Charlie Ruff (Chelmsford City), Harry Hearn (Millwall), Josh Rees (Dagenham & Redbridge) and Joe Taylor (Ramsgate). Manager Daryl McMahon has also signed a long-term contract at the club until 2028.

Recent Meetings

Invicta are six games without a win home and away against The Urchins, but we have scored on four of our last five visits to East London.

Last 6

02/11/21 – Invicta 0-0 Hornchurch (Isthmian Premier Division)
12/02/22 – Hornchurch 4-1 Invicta (Isthmian Premier Division)
06/12/22 – Hornchurch 2-1 Invicta (Isthmian Premier Division)
04/02/23 – Invicta 1-2 Hornchurch (Isthmian Premier Division)
24/10/23 – Hornchurch 4-2 Invicta (Isthmian Premier Division)
05/10/24 – Invicta 0-2 Hornchurch (Isthmian Premier Division)

The Manager

Former Ebbsfleet, Macclesfield and Dagenham & Redbridge manager Daryl McMahon took charge of Hornchurch midway through their Isthmian Premier Division winning season after the departure of Steve Morison to Sutton United. McMahon guided The Urchins to the title and has seen them go from strength to strength, finishing just two places off the National South playoffs.

One To Watch

Joe Taylor needs no introduction to Invicta supporters having made 109 appearances during his time at Cheriton Road, scoring 47 goals. Since leaving Invicta, Taylor has fired both Cray Wanderers and Ramsgate to the Isthmian South East title, becoming Ramsgate’s all-time leading goalscorer in the process, and had two prolific seasons with Lewes in between.

Familiar Faces

Ade Yusuff will be returning to a former home, having been part of the 2023/24 Isthmian Premier Division winning side.

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. 

The nearest station to Hornchurch Stadium is Upminster Bridge on the District Line, a 10-minute walk. If taking Southeastern High Speed, supporters can change at Stratford International to take the Jubilee line one stop to West Ham to join the district line.

Admission

Supporters can pay on the gate for this fixture.

• Adult: £10
• Concession: £5
• Youth (12-18): £5
• Under 12 (must be accompanied by a paying adult): FREE
• Family (2 adult & 2 youth): £25