Valley’s fine run to the last 16 of the Velocity Cup may have come to an end on the Kent coast, but Kevin Watson’s men proved more than a match for their Premier Division opponents over the ninety minutes, and will be disappointed not to have at least taken the tie to a penalty shootout.
Alfie Paxman’s low, deflected 20 yard free kick settled matters on a night when Valley will rue missed opportunities in front of goal.
Despite being heavily involved in their respective promotion campaigns, both sides showed due respect to the “league cup” by fielding strong elevens – Valley taking the opportunity to give goalkeeper Chris Lewington a night off while giving a debut to Mohammed Dean and much needed minutes to the fit again Raheem Sterling-Parker and Joe N’Guessen, with first team regulars Paul Semakula, Hassan Ibrahiym and Marcel Barrington ready to come off the bench if required.
Invicta for their part included former Millers Kieron McCann and 22 goal striker Ade Yusuff in a line-up similar to that which started their last league game against Cray Wanderers.
After Invicta had the better of the early stages without threatening Liam Northwood’s goal, play was halted following a mid-air collision between Matt Warren and former Miller Ade Yusuff - Warren suffering a gashed head leading to a visit to the local hospital while being replaced by Paul Semakula.
As the game settled down, Valley proved to be more than a match for their elevated hosts – Sterling-Parker and Nathan Green having efforts on goal before Yusuff missed a fine opportunity for Invicta, missing his kick when well placed.
Shortly after Ade Adeyemo was denied one on one by Folkestone keeper Tim Roberts, Invicta broke the deadlock.
A training ground free kick routine on the edge of the Valley 18 yard box saw Alfie Paxman’s scuffed effort deflected beyond Northwood low down to his right.
The Valley keeper redeemed himself shortly afterwards, denying efforts from David Smith and Ian Draycott, before the visitors made a double substitution on the hour - Barrington replacing the ineffective Sterling-Parker while Hassan Ibrahiym came on for his 50th Millers appearance at the expense of the tiring N’Guessan.
This boosted the visitors’ attacking prowess – Barrington going close on several occasions, including missing the target from six yards after being setup by Green.
With Adeyemo, Ibrahiym and Anthony Edgar at their creative best – aided by a ten minute cameo full of energy from young Harry Day – the Invicta defence somehow held out however and Valley were left with just the plaudits from those who witnessed this spirited performance to take back up the M20.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – ADE ADEYEMO – A constant thorn in the side of the Invicta rearguard.

MATCH RATING: - ****

INVICTA : Roberts, Vincent, Drury (Everitt 76), Newman, McCann, Wright, Draycott, Dolan, Smith, Yusuff, Paxman
Substitutes Not used: Atherton, Borello, Davey
Cautions : Dolan, Vincent

MILLERS : Northwood, Dymond ©, Green, Tumkaya, Edgar, Adeyemo, Babalola (Day 80), Warren (Semakula 12), N’Guessan (Ibrahiym 62), Sterling-Parker (Barrington 62), Dean
Substitutes Not Used : Brefo
Caution : Edgar

Referee : Jake Woodman
Assistants : Steven Goldup and Marcin Indyk

Pic – Francis Babalola is thwarted by Invicta keeper Tim Roberts