Invicta recorded an incredible ninth win in a row on Saturday, and a first ever at Dartford’s Princes Park, to maintain distance from the chasing park at the top of the Isthmian Premier Division. A first-half strike from Joe Pigott and a second that we will let Ade Yusuff and Jake Hutchinson fight over secured the three points, despite a spectacular free kick from Samir Carruthers that denied Ted Collins a fourth clean sheet in a row.

Making only a third ever visit to Dartford’s home, Invicta made two changes from the XI that started the win over Brentwood Town a week earlier. Dean Rance returned to midfield and Ade Yusuff to partner Joe Pigott with Ronnie Dolan and Jake Hutchinson dropping to the bench.

Dartford top scorer Olly Box fired off the first effort of the afternoon that went out closer to the corner flag than the goal as both sides struggled to find clear cut openings in a cagey first-half described as a “typical Kent derby” by assistant manager Lloyd Blackman after the match. Invicta dealt with balls into their penalty area from both flanks while looking dangerous down their right but unable to find a way to prise open the Dartford defence.

In the 28th minute Dartford forced the first save as defender Sam Smith, who spent a month on loan at Cheriton Road last season, took aim from distance but his effort was straight at Collins. The Invicta keeper kicked the ball long and it was allowed to bounce by Dartford’s Sam Okoye with Ade Yusuff in close proximity. Okoye’s header back toward former Invicta no. 1 Jonny Henly was tame enough to tempt Yusuff into challenging for the ball which he knocked out of the keeper’s hands to concede a free kick but without making enough contact to force further action from the referee, despite the claims of many wearing Dartford colours.

Kevin Lokko stretched to get on the end of a Mikey Berry free kick moments later but failed to make meaningful contact but Invicta struck soon after with their first meaningful effort. Yusuff held off Luther Williams to flick a dropping ball into the path of Joe Pigott who drove into the penalty area. Williams got a block on what may have been a cross or a shot but the ball bounced kindly for The Pig who rolled a left-footed effort beyond Henly and into the net despite a touch from Okoye on the goal-line. His strike takes him to 11 goals in 15 Isthmian Premier Division appearances for Invicta since joining in September.

Invicta opened up the Dartford defence again in the 38th minute, Liam Smith threading a ball through for Ben Mason who squared across the six yard line toward Pigott, Ben Frempah’s clearance the only thing denying him a tap-in at the back post.

The sides returned for the second half under the floodlights, Invicta applying the pressure early on as Yusuff saw a volley deflected behind for a corner and Pigott headed the corner into the arms of Henly. Mason then stung the palms of the Dartford keeper as Invicta won a second corner quickly after, this time Smith heading into Henly’s arms. A third corner found Rance at the back post, his header proving a sterner test but still unable to find a way through.

Collins was forced into a good stop to deny Callum Jones shortly before the hour mark to keep Invicta in front before Mason shot wide from distance at the other end. Jake Hutchinson replaced Pigott and soon had a sight of goal as Invicta hit on the counter attack. With Henly caught off his line the Invicta forward lifted the ball over him from 40 yards but it just wouldn’t come down under the crossbar.

Dartford introduced Eddie Dsane while Invicta sent on Donell Thomas as both sides looked for the crucial second goal. Dsane flicked an effort narrowly wide at the near post before Thomas made his impact at the other end, creating Invicta’s second. Rance won the ball in midfield and found the substitute who fed Yusuff on the left, the forward shifted the ball and fired a left-footed effort that Henly got a touch to before it struck the inside the the post. Did it cross the goal-line before Hutchinson reached it? We aren’t brave enough to make that decision!

🤔 𝘼𝘿𝙀 𝙤𝙧 𝙃𝙐𝙏𝘾𝙃❔

Admin isn’t calling this one…#fifc | 🟠⚫️ pic.twitter.com/PGWng9IRbK

— Folkestone Invicta (@FIFC) December 14, 2025

Another substitute, Samir Carruthers, set up a tense finale to the afternoon after he found the top corner with a stunning free kick from 25 yards – the first goal Invicta had conceded in 426 minutes of football since victory at Cheshunt last month.

Invicta did not look like conceding another so soon, and saw out the late Dartford pressure without any action for Collins. Victory maintains Invicta’s eight-point advantage at the top of the Isthmian Premier Division with two games in hand over Brentwood Town while third-placed Chatham were in FA Trophy action.

Invicta will now look to make it a joint club record 10 wins in a row on Tuesday evening when we host Cray Valley PM at the Alcaline Stadium. Click here to buy tickets online now.