– Maidstone surprises in the FA Cup and advances to the fifth round
– De la Quinta División team shocks in the FA Cup and progresses to the fifth round.
Maidstone shocks Ipswich in stunning upset to advance in FA Cup
IPSWICH, England –
The Maidstone football club, a team outside the English league system, pulled off the biggest upset in FA Cup history on Saturday by defeating Ipswich 2-1. This victory makes Maidstone the lowest-ranked team to advance to the fifth round since 1978.
Sam Corne secured the winning goal for Maidstone at the 66th minute mark, sending their sixth division team into a frenzy of celebration at Portman Road. Goalkeeper Lucas Covolan made several crucial saves in the final minutes to preserve the victory.
“The magic of the FA Cup is alive,” exclaimed Maidstone manager George Elokobi.
Maidstone’s achievement marks the first time a team outside the top five English leagues has reached the fifth round since Blyth Spartans in 1978. Their journey to this stage included victories over Barrow, a fourth division team, and Stevenage, a third division team.
Lamar Reynolds gave Maidstone the lead with a superb counterattack goal in the 43rd minute, lofting the ball over Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton. Jeremy Sarmiento equalized for Ipswich in the 56th minute, but Corne capitalized on a defensive mistake by Walton just ten minutes later, firing the ball into the back of the net.
With this remarkable win, Maidstone can now dream of facing one of the giants of the Premier League in the eighth round. The draw for the fifth round matchups will take place on Sunday.
In a surprising move, Ipswich, currently in second place in the Championship and on the verge of promotion to the Premier League, made ten changes to their lineup from the team that faced Leicester on Monday.
Despite the alterations, Ipswich initially dominated the match, but Maidstone’s resilience and determination proved to be the defining factor in this historic upset.
Football fans around the world are buzzing with excitement over this unexpected turn of events in the FA Cup. The competition’s rich history of underdog victories and thrilling moments has once again captivated audiences.
The FA Cup, known for its unpredictability and ability to produce fairy-tale stories, continues to be one of the most prestigious and cherished tournaments in English football. Maidstone’s triumph against Ipswich will forever be etched in the annals of FA Cup history.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Maidstone as they prepare to face stronger opponents in the next round. Their journey serves as a reminder that in football, anything is possible and dreams can become reality.
With the draw for the fifth round looming, football fans eagerly await the matchups that will determine the next chapter in this thrilling FA Cup campaign. The magic of the cup is alive and well, as underdogs like Maidstone continue to defy the odds and inspire us all.
Let the FA Cup adventure continue!
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– Maidstone FA Cup surprise
– La Quinta Division team advances in FA Cup.
