WATCH: “They are heroes,” Fan admits he cried as non-league club Maidstone United beat Ipswich Town in FA Cup

Maidstone United are currently fourth in the Vanarama National League South.

WATCH: “They are heroes,” Fan admits he cried as non-league club Maidstone United beat Ipswich Town in FA Cup

An emotional Maidstone United let out all of his feelings after the non-league clib beat Ipswich Town (Images via Daily Mail and Goal)

Maidstone United currently play in the National League South, the 6th tier of the English Pyramid. The previous season they had been relegated from the National League, finishing dead last with 25 points. But things have been better for them recently. They stand 4th in their league and have successfully qualified for the 5th round of the FA Cup.

In a literal fairy tale, Maidstone were the only team outside the top four leagues in the 4th round of the FA Cup. They played Ipswich Town, who were 2nd in the Championship and 98 positions above them in the English Pyramid, at Portman Road. 

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Before the start of the match, Maidstone manager George Elokobi instructed the 4,600 traveling fans to be as vocal and supportive as they could. The game was difficult for the non-league side, managing only 22% possession and conceding 38 shots. 

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Despite being pinned back for the majority of the game, two brilliant counter-attacking goals scored by Lamar Reynolds and Sam Sorne ensured them the win. Those two counter-attacking chances were also their only chances on goal. Lucas Covolan, the Maidstone keeper, was the hero of the day as his safe hands played an integral part in the FA Cup miracle. 

Mail Sport later caught a fan outside Portman Road, who seemed emotional after the game. He still said he and some fans were still in a daze, not believing what they had just witnessed. The fan admitted he had shed some tears as well as calling the players heroes. 

It's blown people away, you can actually see people walking around in a daze. I'd never thought I'd see this day actually come. (When asked if he cried) Oh, I mean I am in bits. I really really am, but what a day! We're going for a drink now and a bite to eat and a very slow journey home to appreciate everything we've achieved. Those boys are heroes!
A Maidstone United fan to Daily Mail

Who are Maidstone United FC? 

Maidstone United is a semi-professional club based in Maidstone, Kent. It was formed in 1992, replacing another club of the same name which used to play in the 4th division but was dissolved due to bankruptcy.

Maidstone United
Maidstone United players celebrate their goal (Image via talkSPORT)

Originally named Maidstone Invictus, they had to start off at the 14th tier of the English Pyramid in 1993 due to the lack of a stadium. Deciding to use only youth players of the original Maidstone United, the club gained promotions in their first two seasons. Invictus then decided to rename themselves to their current name. 

They once again gained promotion in 1999/2000 and continued competing in the lower tiers. By 2006, they reached the Isthmian League, which had the 7th and 8th tier of the English Pyramid. They still didn’t have their own stadiums at that time, either playing in the training stadium of their predecessors or sharing with other clubs. 

By 2015, they finally managed to break into the Vanarama National League South, the 6th tier of the pyramid. They had also finally gotten their own stadium, the Gallagher Stadium in Kent. It could hold up to 4,200 fans, but only 792 seated. 

With this win over Ipswich Town, Maidstone have become the first team not in the top 5 league to reach the 5th round of the FA Cup in over 45 years. Blyth Rovers were the last team to manage this achievement. They will now play Punjab United on 30th January, competing in the quarter-finals of the Kent Senior Cup.

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