Sixth-tier Maidstone dump former winners Ipswich out of FA Cup in epic tie despite 98 places between two sides

MAIDSTONE stars went nuts after they pulled off an epic FA Cup giant-killing – beating former winners Ipswich 2-1.

And their supporters, all 4472 of them, celebrated in style after their historic victory at Portman Road.

The Maidstone bench scream with delight at the final whistle

Keeper Lucas Covolan breaks down at the end of the dramatic game

Maidstone heroes embrace in chaotic scenes at the final whistle

AFPSam Corne netted the winner for the second successive game[/caption]

AFPBoth goals provoked wild scenes of celebration[/caption]

In a truly brilliant FA Cup shock, Maidstone delivered a magnificent performance to embarrass an Ipswich team who are hoping to play in the Premier League.

Maidstone’s match-winner was Sam Corne who scored in the 66th winner.

But in truth the whole team, all of George Elokobi’s players, including keeper Lucas Covolan, were just brilliant.

Maidstone’s stunning achievement was even more impressive when you consider Lamar Reynolds gave them the lead with a stunning chip only for Jeremy Sarmiento to equalise after half-time.

But just when you thought the floodgates would open and Ipswich would win 4-1, Corne struck the second..

Despite being part-time, in terms of fitness, there was absolutely nothing in it.

ReutersThere were several goal mouth scrambles throughout the game but Ipswich did not have the composure to finish[/caption]

The SunThe stats tell a story, with Ipswich barely getting out of their box in the first-half[/caption]

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Even though eight minutes of injury-time were played, Ipswich were unable to even force a replay.

McKenna made 10 changes from the side which drew 1-1 at Leicester on Monday but that is no excuse. He would have expected a much smoother ride than this and even when he put on his better players such as Wes Burns and Conor Chaplin, Maidstone were having none of it.

The majority of the near-capacity crowd, who were only charged a tenner, would have expected a goals fest.

The visitors were twice saved by the woodwork in the opening eight minutes with Sarmiento and Omari Hutchinson both firing shots against the post.

Maidstone’s keeper is former Brazilian under-20 international Covolan who started out with Rio side Vasco De Gama but ended up having spells with Port Vale and Torquay.

Now, 32, he delivered excellent saves to deny Nathan Broadhead, Hutchinson and home skipper Sam Morsy.

Yet apart from being frustrated by some decent blocks and fine saves Ipswich were also wasteful. 

Aluko should have scored when he controlled an attempted pass by Dominic Ball and despite having an open goal, he showed no composure whatsoever and struck the ball with his shin and his miscued effort bobbled wide.

ReutersReynolds’ flicked finish gave Maidstone the lead[/caption]

The SunMaidstone had just two shots on goal during the game[/caption]

That terrible attempt could not have been more different from what happened just a few minutes later. From a non-League finish by a Championship player, we saw a Premier League finish by a part-timer..

Ipswich were completely caught out by a terrific long ball from Liam Sole, Reynolds took one touch with his right foot to take the ball onto the edge of the area and then with his left foot, delivered an exquisite chip over keeper Walton.

For most of his career, Reynolds, who moved to England from Jamaica when he was eight, has played non-League football in Essex for the likes of Thurrock, Grats, Barking and Brentwood.

Last season, Liam Reynolds played down the road from Ipswich at Braintree before moving in the summer.

Yet incredibly, he had not scored for Maidstone – or ever registered an FA Cup goal – until his moment of sheer class.

Maidstone’s fans, who filled the entire upper tier of the Cobbold Stand, went absolutely bonkers.

The visitors’ substitutes ran from the bench to join in the celebrations on the pitch. For Ipswich’s fans, they could not believe what they were watching.

Even at the start of the second half they were convincing but a moment of class from Sarmiento dragged Ipswich level. He received a ball from Jack Taylor and threaded a shot through the legs of Gavin Hoyge into the bottom corner with keeper Walton unmoved.

PAThe whole Maidstone team, including substitutes, joined in with Maidstone’s celebrations[/caption]

So match over? You have got to be kidding.

Although he was having his shirt pulled, Sarmiento lost the ball in midfield for Ipswich, Reynolds delivered the assist and Corne produced another polished finish although maybe, Walton could have done a bit better.

Ipswich thought they had won a penalty but Edmundson was booked for diving. And when Chaplin and Burns got a couple of headers on target, Walton made two great saves.

There was a huge groan from the Maidstone supporters when eight minutes of extra-time were shown but heroically, and deservedly, the team held on.