National League South Maidstone United put themselves deeper into FA Cup folklore by dumping out the Championship high-flyers in front of 4,472 jubilant travelling fans at a packed Portman Road.
Lamar Reynolds’ gorgeous finish put the Step 2 side ahead at the break only to be cancelled out by Jeremy Sarmiento’s deflected leveller.
But, on 66 minutes, Sam Corne swept in a composed finish to send the sixth-tier Stones on their way to yet more history as the lowest-ranked side to reach the fifth round since Blyth Spartans in 1978.
Boss George Elokobi told Maidstone fans who gathered to greet their team’s arrival to enjoy every minute of the day. They did that and more.
At times in the final stages, their players were strewn around the pitch nursing cramp as they chased down every blue shirt and stretched every muscle to keep them at bay.
The Stones’ FA Cup adventure started in September at Steyning Town Community with a 4-1 win. Since then they’ve seen off Winchester City, Torquay and Chesham before an EFL double in League Two Barrow and League One Stevenage. And now Ipswich Town, a team who could be playing Premier League football next season under their esteemed young boss Kieran McKenna.
This story is from the January 28, 2024 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
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This story is from the January 28, 2024 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
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