Invicta Dynamos face higher-league opponents in a nostalgia-laden pre-season Kent & Essex Cup match this weekend.

The two-legged affair against Romford Raiders is the sort of challenge head coach Karl Lennon hopes will best prepare his side for their 2024/25 NIHL South Division 1 season, which starts the following week.

“There is a nostalgic part to it,” said Lennon, looking ahead to the match. “When I was younger we played the Raiders on a more regular basis and now the split between the two teams at the moment is a division.

“That historical part of it is quite cool but we have a few players on our roster that have played for both sides, so that is nostalgic for them as players as well.”

Big summer signing Aaron Connolly previously captained the Raiders before moving back to his hometown side this summer, where he first iced as a six-year-old. He made his debut for the Mos as a 13-year-old before moving.

Netminder Brad Windebank is another to have switched from the Raiders to the Mos this summer.

Lennon said: “There are a few in the line-up who have had time in Romford before now and so there is that connection, which is great.

“The challenge of playing against teams that are in a more superior state to what we are I think will only help us improve.

“Whilst we are aware of the challenge that presents us, we are fully committed to giving a good account of ourselves.

“We are a different team from last year, I feel. I can see that in the practices and training, which is great and I am really happy with how we have prepared so far for it.

“There was a lot of strength in that side [last season] but there is a new level of experience and maturity which comes with the roster we have now.”

Lennon’s squad have been in training since July, skating once a week, before moving to twice-a-week sessions during August. This will be the supporters’ first chance to see their new-look team on the ice.

The first leg of the challenge cup is in Gillingham this Saturday (5.45pm) before the two teams face each other again in Romford on Sunday.

The new season starts on Saturday, September 14 away to Solent Devils before Streatham Redskins come to Gillingham a day later.

Lennon said: “You can just see the dynamic is a little different from last year, in a positive way. I love that and I am enjoying watching them embrace each other.

“It is looking strong, I am very happy and we can’t wait to get going now.

“The prime focus [this weekend] has to be getting match-ready with two massive games the following week against Solent and Streatham. We have to be focused and the primary objective is fitness.

“Secondary is to give a good account of ourselves because we have done really good things here in recent years and I have a really capable roster. I want to show that to its fullest at the weekend.

“To give everything we have got, that is my minimum every time we play, and if we do those three things I will be happy. I think we have the right group to do that and I am super excited.

“These games create some excitement, the fans get to see a team we have not played against for some years and they get to see some of the new

guys that they haven’t been able to watch just yet, which is great.”