IPSWICH — Sixth-tier Maidstone United stunned Ipswich Town with a 2-1 victory in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Portman Road on Saturday, knocking out a side 98 places above them in the football pyramid.
Lamar Reynolds and Sam Corne scored for Maidstone, the lowest ranked team left in the competition.
Maidstone vs. Ipsswich highlights
They believed @maidstoneunited defied the odds to reach the #EmiratesFACup fifth round for the first time in their history with a 2-1 win away at @IpswichTown pic.twitter.com/ukmxijX9Jm
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 27, 2024
"It's the magic of the FA Cup, we have to believe," manager George Elokobi told ITV.
The Stones had their keeper Lucas Covolan to thank for keeping shot after shot out as Ipswich swarmed forward looking for goals.
"I'm so happy I could help my team mates, I'm so proud of the team," said Covolan afterwards as he wiped away tears. "What we achieved is unbelievable, just brilliant. What a great day."
Maidstone locker room celebrations
The emotions in the @maidstoneunited dressing room #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/pjHNrtd46Y
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 27, 2024
The scenes inside the @maidstoneunited dressing room
Look at what it means #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/cEolyR1tBL— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 27, 2024
Jeremy Sarmiento scored for Ipswich Town, who are second in the (second tier) Championship table.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
