The August Bank Holiday weekend kicks off at the Alcaline Stadium with the visit of Isthmian South East Division champions Cray Valley PM

Invicta

After a busy opening week for Invicta, manager Andy Drury will be happy to have had a full week to prepare for the bank holiday double-header with Cray Valley and Hastings United. 

Invicta head into the weekend 10th in the Isthmian Premier Division but having played a game fewer, as we await a decision on the fate of our match at Wingate & Finchley that was abandoned in the 83rd minute after an injury to the opposition goalkeeper. Invicta had fought back from 3-1 down at half time to level the scores, with Wingate having had a man sent off.

Andy Drury’s side are currently 1 of 5 sides still unbeaten in the league this season, along with leaders Lewes, Carshalton Athletic (who visited on the opening day), Hastings United (who we visit on Monday) and Billericay Town (who will visit us in 2 weeks time).

Andy Drury is set to make one addition to his squad ahead of the bank holiday weekend, while defender Joel Odeniran and midfielder Sam Blackman have both joined an Isthmian South East Division clubs on loan.

From The Manager

Manager Andy Drury spoke ahead of the bank holiday weekend fixtures:

“After a busy opening week with three tough fixtures it has been good to have the midweek off to regroup ahead of the bank holiday weekend. 

We earned a good point on the opening day against a good Carshalton side before the win at Dover and then the boys showed great spirit in the second half at Wingate to recover from a poor start and I felt like it is a game we would have gone on to win had it come to a natural conclusion. 

It is important that we work hard this week because we know how tough it is going to be with these 2 games in 3 days against teams sat 4th and 3rd so we are going to need to be at our very best and it is going to be a real test for our squad.”

Previously

Saturday will be the first time the clubs have ever met in a league fixture, but we have welcomed Cray Valley twice in recent years. 

Alfie Paxman scored the only goal in a Velocity Cup tie in February 2022 while The Millers knocked Invicta out of the Kent Senior Cup 3-1 in a 1st round tie the following season. 

It will be a long wait for Invicta to make a first competitive trip to The Artic Stadium with the return fixture not scheduled until the final day of the season. Invicta did visit for a behind closed doors friendly in 2020 with Jordan Wright and Scott Heard scoring shortly before half time to give Invicta a 2-1 win. 

Familiar Faces

Folkestone Invicta captain Ian Gayle will be facing off against a club he had a brief spell with in 2022, shortly before joining Invicta. Ian joined The Millers on a dual registration from Eastbourne Borough for the end of the 2021/22 season before signing for Invicta that summer. Not only will Gayley be lining up against his former club, his brother Denzel is the longest serving player in the Cray Valley squad, having joined the club in 2017. 

Cray Valley will be bringing former Invicta forward Andre Coker, who joined early this summer. Andre had a spell with us last season before joining Croydon Athletic for the back end of the season. 

Plenty of other players have turned out for both clubs, with Ade Yusuff and Kieron McCann both playing for Cray Valley in between their 2 spells at Cheriton Road.

Invicta signed Nathan Green from Cray Valley in the summer of 2022, and he isn’t the only left back to have pulled on both shirts with Nat Blanks having joined Cray Valley in 2020 after departing Invicta. 

Former Invicta defender Kevin Watson spent over 5 years in charge of The Millers before departing for Herne Bay in 2022. 

The Opposition

The past few years have seen a monumental rise for Cray Valley with 2 league titles and promotions as well as a trip to Wembley. 

After taking over as manager in 2017, Kevin Watson lead The Millers to the SCEFL league title and promotion to the Isthmian South East as well as 2019 FA Vase final where they lost to Chertsey Town in extra time. 

The Millers followed that up in 2020/21 by reaching the FA Cup 1st Round for the first time in their history, losing 1-0 to Havant & Waterlooville in a behind closed doors televised fixture during the second COVID19 lockdown, with Kieron McCann and Ade Yusuff in their team. 

With Watson having departed in 2022, current manager Steve McKimm lead them back to the FA Cup 1st Round last season when they were drawn to travel to neighbours Charlton Athletic where they secured a replay with a 1-1 draw at The Valley. The Millers were eventually beaten 6-1 in front of a full house in the replay, but that would not stunt their momentum as they went on to win the Isthmian South East title with only 1 league defeat all season (and that came in injury time!).

Having suffered a defeat on the opening day at home to Dartford, The Millers have shown that they can more than compete at this level, beating Cray Wanderers and Cheshunt to leave them on 6 points from their opening 3 games, leaving them currently sat 4th in the table. 

Admission  

Tickets are available to purchase in advance from our online ticket shop. You can purchase your tickets here.

 

Alternatively supporters can pay on the turnstiles, with both cash and card accepted.

With the Sid Burvill Turnstiles currently closed, supporters must enter the ground via the turnstiles adjacent to The Dugout Sports Bar. 

Four turnstiles will be in operation, with designated turnstiles for pre-paid tickets, season tickets, cash and card purchases. Please use the correct turnstile to ensure smooth entry into the stadium. 

Adults (18-59)	£12
Concessions (60+, Students with ID, Blue Light Card holders)	£9
Disabled Supporters	£9 (Carer FREE)
Young Adult (13-17)	£6
Children (under 13)	FREE
Folkestone Invicta Academy, Youth & Disability players (with ID)	FREE

Food & Drink

The Dugout Sports Bar will be open from showing live sport on 13 screens including the big projector screen.

The Dugout kitchen will be open. Food will also be available from the food truck inside the stadium. 

Cugley’s Lounge (formerly the Wilf Armory Bar) is open for supporters but no longer sells food or drink. 

We have FOUR new fanzone bars around the ground serving draught beer, Guinness, water and soft drinks. 2 bars are adjacent to The Dugout, one beside the tea hut window and one beside the disability shelter. These bars are CARD ONLY. 

Both cash & card are accepted in The Dugout Sports Bar.