Source: TheGuardian
Ellis Simms hat-trick ends Maidstone’s historic run to ease Coventry through
So heartening, magical and, at times, mesmeric has the Maidstone United story been this season, there is a line of thinking that George Elokobi and his side are to thank for singlehandedly saving the FA Cup, having reminded us of its raw charm. Elokobi is viewed as something of a saviour given Maidstone’s unforgettable ride through seven rounds of this competition but in these parts Coventry have their own untouchable manager in Mark Robins, the man who scored a pivotal goal en route to winning this competition with Manchester United in 1990.Robins has steered Coventry through many a storm and here they breezed into the quarter-finals, Ellis Simms scoring a first-half hat-trick before Fábio Tavares capped victory approaching full time with two late goals, halting Maidstone’s incredible charge. Maidstone, the first team from outside the top five divisions to reach this stage since Blyth Spartans in 1978, depart with a rich tapestry of tales to remember. Continue reading......read full article
