by As heartwarming, magical and, at times, mesmeric is the story of Maidstone United this season, there is a line of thinking that George Elokobi and his team thank themselves for saving the FA Cup, after reminding us of its raw charm. It must have felt that way because, despite the 5-0 defeat, Elokobi took to the lap of the pitch to applaud all four sides of this stadium, mocking the praise he received from the stands. It was very much a two-way thing.
Elokobi is seen as something of a savior for Maidstone’s unforgettable sixth-tier ride through seven rounds of this competition but in these parts Coventry have their own inscrutable manager in Mark Robins, who scored a crucial winner en route to winning this trophy with Manchester United in 1990. Coventry Robins have led many a storm and here they went into Wednesday’s quarter-final draw, Ellis Simms scoring a first-half hat-trick before Fábio Tavares struck twice late on to defeat to carry out.
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Maidstone, the first team from outside the top five divisions to reach this stage since 1978, leave with a rich tapestry of memories. “How can you not taste that at the end?” Elokobi said about the scenes at full time. “I thought the Coventry fans were fantastic. I don’t think they were just supporting Coventry but also Maidstone, deep down. No one can take this moment away from us. We have created so many beautiful moments and not only for our community but globally. We have inspired so many people around the world with how we went about it. For me, football is the winner, because football brings communities together and inspires so many people around the world.”
Almost 20 minutes after full time Lucas Covolan was still whipping up the nearly 5,000-strong traveling black-and-amber support, kickstarting a chant to celebrate the end of an incredible journey. It all started in Sussex on the 3G pitch at Steyning Town of the Southern Combination League – the ninth tier of the football pyramid – in the second qualifying round. Wins then came against Winchester City and Torquay before a first round trip to Chesham United.
Coventry, winners of this competition in 1987, supporters who left the stadium singing about Wembley, secured their place in the quarter-finals within 34 minutes. By the time fourth official Andrew Kitchen called two minutes of first half stoppage time Maidstone’s players could be forgiven for wanting to flood down the tunnel for relief.
Elokobi encouraged his players to drink in the occasion and record cherished moments. George Fowler and Manny Duku filmed the crowd of supporters cheering the team off the coach. Elokobi, as he did before Maidstone sent Ipswich packing in the previous round, addressed the fans on arrival. To separate the shot before it went in? “Make some noise,” he said and they hardly needed more encouragement. The scoreline was never going to dampen their spirits.
For Elokobi, belief was at the heart of this episode but even he recognized that the game was as good as it was over when Simms scored Coventry’s second goal after 14 minutes, finishing across the face behind Covolan. Covolan was the hero at Portman Road when Ipswich got their goal and made an early save to deny Haji Wright after the US forward had conceded the penalty but the repeat of those heroes was always a big question. Simms chased down Coventry’s debut after picking up Kasey Palmer’s through ball and completed his hat-trick when Covolan could only push Palmer’s shot into his path, tapping in the rebound.
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Lamar Reynolds pulled one back for Coventry early in the second half and Maidstone continued to press. When Callum O’Hare, one of the most talented players outside the top flight, came on at half-time, the Kent side were no longer challenged. Covolan appeared to have heeded Elokobi’s advice before the game and certainly benefited from Palmer’s passing and many Maidstone fans behind his goal, a glimpse of his Brazilian roots.
The Maidstone support loved every corner they earned. Elokobi made his first changes – a triple substitution – in the 70th minute as fatigue set in. By that point Maidstone knew the game was a long time coming, Saturday’s trip to Dover Athletic, a resumption of their quest to play in the sixth tier, on their minds. Next week it’s back to hosting Bath City and promotion-chasing St Albans, but they have memories that will last a lifetime. “We’re sorry, everybody,” Robins, the Coventry manager, told a laughing press conference. “Congratulations to Maidstone and George as he is doing a fantastic job.”
