Our first home game of the Isthmian Premier Division season is upon us, with Hartsdown Park the venue as we host St Albans City.

Invicta head into the August Bank Holiday weekend unbeaten after three away fixtures, taking a point from both Chichester City and Cray Wanderers before a 2-0 win at Canvey Island on Saturday.

Matchday Info

You can find all the matchday info ahead of tomorrow’s match here.

From The Manager

Jay Saunders spoke this week ahead of our first home fixture of the season:

“We are looking forward to our first home game on Saturday after three away fixtures. Obviously it’s a bit different with the game being at Margate, but the fans have been fantastic so far this season, travelling in good numbers and I’m expecting a good crowd there to support us. We want to put in a good performance and get a result for them and make their journey to Margate worthwhile.”

“We’ve made a good start, although if I’m honest I’m slightly disappointed we don’t have more points on the board from our performances. We go into the Bank Holiday weekend unbeaten and looking to continue that positive start, but it won’t be easy with two games in three days against sides you expect to be at the top end of this division.”

Team News

Invicta will be without long-term absentees Jermey Santos (hamstring) and Ollie Black (knee). Dean Rance, Jack Jebb and Ben Mason also missed our win at Canvey Island, but Maxx Manktelow made his debut having signed on a one-month loan from Ebbsfleet United a day earlier.

The Opposition

Following relegation from the National League South at the end of last season, St Albans City are building towards an immediate return to step two, having been the bookies’ favourite for promotion at the start of the season. The Saints have not competed in the Isthmian League since the 2003/04 season, when a restructure saw them moved into the newly formed Conference South, just as Invicta were moved from the Southern League into the Isthmian League.

Recent Meetings

Saturday will be the first ever meeting between the two sides. St Albans have previously visited Hartsdown Park, with three wins over Margate in their three previous trips to Thanet.

Invicta also have a good record from recent trips to Hartsdown Park, with four wins from our last five league visits to face Margate.

The Manager

Former Tottenham and Norwich City defender Ian Culverhouse took charge at Clarence Park in November 2024 with the club 22nd in the National League South but was unable to save the club from relegation, finishing one point away from safety on the final day of the season.

Before joining St Albans, Culverhouse won back-to-back promotions to take Kings Lynn Town from the Southern League to the National League before winning promotion with Boston United via the National League North play-offs.

One To Watch

Zane Banton has made over 200 appearances for St Albans since joining from Luton Town in 2017. The forward made appearances for Concord Rangers, Hemel Hempstead and Boreham Wood on loan from Luton before finding himself a home at Clarence Park, where he is now club captain. Two goals in the opening three games of the season mark Banton out as a goal threat for Invicta’s defence to snuff out on Saturday.

Pre-Season

12/07 – Maidstone United (A) – Lost 2-0
15/07 – Arsenal U21 (H) – Won 5-2
19/07 – Luton Town U21 (H) – Won 1-0
22/07 -Beaconsfield Town (A) – Won 7-0
26/07 – Wealdstone (H) – Won 1-0
30/07 – Ebbsfleet United (H) – Won 1-0
02/08 – Real Bedord (A) – Lost 4-2

First 3

09/08 – Chatham Town  (H) – Drew 0-0
12/08 – Brentwood Town (A) – Lost 3-2
16/08 – Dartford (H) – Won 2-0