Second half goals from Jerson Dos Santos and former Red Ira Jackson condemned Adam Hinshelwood’s men to a 2-0 defeat on the season’s opener two season’s ago, however twelve months later they prevailed 2-1 thanks to goals from Ricky Aguiar and Ollie Pearce.

The two clubs were involved in the race for promotion prior to the curtailment of the 2019-20 season, with Worthing leading the way with eight matches to play, Invicta were nine points adrift in fourth place having played two games less.

The outbreak of Covid-19 robbed everyone of an exciting climax to the Isthmian League Premier Division campaign that time around and with the following season barely having the chance to get going, both clubs will be hoping there will no interruptions this time around with promotion likely the goal for both.

The two rivals have more recent history, both achieving promotion out the South Division during 2015/16 when Invicta were runaway Champions, amassing an impressive 114 points, while the Mackerel Men had to settle for a play-off win over Faversham as their route out of the division.

The match will likely see new signings Harrison Male, Will Seager and Dean Cox make their competitive debuts for the club.

Pat Webber, the other new arrival, did play and score in the final pre-season win over a QPR XI in midweek but is considered a way off full fitness.

Boss Hinshelwood has a selection headache on his hands with many of his squad impressing during a productive pre-season which produced eight wins in a row and total of 31 goals.

Midfielder Jesse Starkey was unable to take part in a full training session so is unlikely to feature but other than that Hinshelwood has plenty of options.

“We have a good number of players who can play in different positions, and we have a lot of good young players who we know will be pushing the more established guys for places in the team.”

The match at the BuildKent Stadium will kick-off at 3pm with tickets only available to buy at the turnstiles, which open at 1.30pm.

Admission is £11 for adults, £8 for concessions and £3 for under-18’s.

If wishing to pay by card you’ll need to enter via the turnstile by Bar Invicta, other turnstiles are cash-only.

Prior to the game there will be a minute’s applause in honour of Isthmian League Life Member Mick Gibson of Heybridge Swifts FC who sadly passed away recently.