At the final whistle, as Maidstone United’s long, stirring run in the FA Cup came to an end, their charismatic manager, George Elokobi, set off another run. It was a lap of honour, and Coventry City fans stood and applauded him.
“Their fans were magnificent in support of both teams,” Elokobi said. His side was taken apart by Ellis Simms’s hat-trick and Fábio Tavares’s late double, showing Coventry’s Championship class, but the non-Leaguers have won many friends with their adventures in the cup this season, their defeats of the League sides Barrow, Stevenage and Ipswich Town.
Elokobi’s charisma and his team’s fearlessness captivated so many people. Westlife’s Against All Odds sounded well-chosen by the home DJ. Maidstone’s fans, 4,500 of them loud and proud here, added to the cup’s lustre. They all dared to dream, a lesson in life let alone in football, Elokobi said. “This is bigger than football,” he continued. “This is about the togetherness of the community. We have inspired so many people in the Maidstone community and globally.”
Maidstone’s fans had travelled hopefully, filling cars and coaches, determined to make a night of the occasion, whatever the storm coming their way in their eighth FA Cup tie of the season. They lined the entrance to the CBS Arena, waving cardboard-and-foil cups, greeting their players loudly. The centre back George Fowler filmed the scenes as he stepped from the bus, a look almost of wonderment on his face. All around were members of the Black and Amber Army, taking pictures, urging the players to make more history.
Even Ipswich supporters sent messages wishing their fourth-round conquerors well. “Give them some of what you gave us,” wrote one. But Coventry were so well prepared and motivated by Mark Robins. He knew that all the neutrals were backing the non-League side and he was determined to avoid an upset. His team were too good, too quick on the counter. Kasey Palmer was too clever in possession and Simms too clinical.
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Within nine minutes, Simms sprinted on to Palmer’s pass between Fowler and Harry Kyprianou. The former Everton striker took a touch with his right and then stabbed it with the outside of the boot past the former Brazil youth international Lucas Covolan.
Simms ran to the Coventry bench to collect a No 7 shirt, which he held up, a message of support for Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, who suffered what Robins described as “a bad back injury” against Preston North End last week.
Simms then returned to his task of ending Maidstone’s fairytale. Covolan had made 12 saves to deny Ipswich but was overwhelmed here. Simms seized his second within five minutes. Again Palmer was the catalyst, shrugging off Sam Bone and sliding the ball behind Fowler for Simms to beat Covolan with a left-footed shot from left to right. “Ellis’s movement was brilliant,” Robins said. “And he’s doing it under pressure, real scrutiny.” The 23-year-old’s confidence will have grown immeasurably with his first career hat-trick.
It arrived after 34 minutes. Raphe Brown’s header out was met by Palmer, inevitably, and he drove it back in from 25 yards. Covolan pushed it away from goal but his defenders, especially Fowler, failed to react. Simms sprinted in and placed it with his right past the exposed Covolan.
Maidstone’s fans — “legends” the club called them — continued to sing, now in defiance. Back at the Gallagher Stadium, other Maidstone supporters gathered in the Spitfire Lounge where Shepherd Neame had brewed a special beer for the night, the Cheeky Chip (4.3 per cent ABV), celebrating Lamar Reynolds’s finish against Ipswich.
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Coventry were calling last orders on Maidstone’s time in the FA Cup but what a journey it has been, how lucrative too. They will have generated about £700,000 from the run. “They can invest that money really well and progress up the divisions,” Robins said.
It has also brought them nationwide recognition, almost worldwide, as the first team from the sixth level of English football to make the fifth round of the world’s oldest football competition since Blyth Spartans in 1978.
Maidstone’s voyage, and the raucous presence of their fans here among the 26,857 crowd, was a reminder of the alluring appeal of the FA Cup. Overshadowed by league and European competitions, and shunted by the FA into the sidings, the cup still means so much to many. Coventry supporters were out in force, remembering 1987, and loving the style and confidence of their play under Robins. Simms and Palmer departed after 65 minutes to a standing ovation.
Coventry have had their travails but they’re still fighting, still hoping of a return to the top flight, and ever more hopeful of a visit to Wembley.
Maidstone’s thoughts now turn back to the National League South and a Kent derby with Dover Athletic. They will always have the memories of this cup run, incredible ones for the likes of Riley Court, the 17-year-old midfield player who started out at Chelsea’s academy.
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Court will have seen close up the intensity of these players, and the determination of Robins to make sure his players never eased up. Coventry struck two late goals through Tavares. He first chipped Covolan and then followed up smartly after the goalkeeper saved Matty Godden’s shot. Maidstone’s run was over but Elokobi had that one run still to make, and the applause followed his every stride.
