Maidstone United’s 1-0 triumph over Stevenage in the FA Cup third round last Saturday sent the dressing room wild after the whistle at the Gallagher Stadium.
A late first-half penalty by Sam Corne was the decisive factor in the clash in Kent, propelling the sixth-tier side into the fourth round.
Facing a spirited second-half resurgence from League One’s Stevenage, Maidstone managed to thwart their opponents, who struck the bar and post in a single play.
As the lowest-ranked team still in the FA Cup this season, the Kent-based squad clinched a historic victory on a day marked by limited surprises, eagerly anticipating the fourth-round draw.
Celebrations were wild at the full-time whistle as Maidstone secured a 1-0 victory
The Stones – the lowest-ranked team left in the cup – were quick to celebrate a memorable result in the dressing-room
Post-final whistle, ecstatic fans stormed the pitch, while players continued their jubilant celebrations in the dressing room.
Reflecting on the game, Maidstone manager George Elokobi shared with BBC Radio Kent that he felt validated after being retained despite last season’s relegation.
‘If you’d been through what I’d been, in terms of my life when I was growing up in Cameroon, then you’ll understand where my resilience comes from,’ he remarked.
‘I was backed by our owners. Some people might have thought they were crazy and there were some mixed emotions.
Elokobi, an ex-defender – now 37 – spent 18 years in senior English football before eventually hanging up his boots in 2022 to take on a role as manager of a Non-League outfit now in search of an FA Cup giant-killing.
After seeing Stevenage through to the fourth round, the Cameroonian has done just that.
Elokobi was on the books at 11 different clubs, and won titles in League One and the Championship – including scoring a winner to end Manchester United’s 29-game winning run in 2011.
Maidstone were enjoying wild celebrations in the dressing room after the full-time whistle
Maidstone are the FA Cup’s lowest-ranked team, despite progressing to the fourth round
Sam Corne scored a penalty to fire Maidstone into the fourth round against Stevenage
‘Some people didn’t believe I could do it because I wasn’t the glamorous choice.
‘I had people coming up and abusing me by the dugouts. I took it and it hurt, but what I wanted to do was restore pride at the football club and identity – and make sure we rebuild as a club.
‘It was good to see after all the hurt that happened last season for our supporters, they deserve this today and they were incredible
