It never looked likely, not at kick-off, not after an opening 20-minute blitzkrieg by Ipswich Town. But even in 2024, magic happens and Maidstone United, fourth in the National League South and the lowest ranked team in the fourth round, pulled off the most unlikely of upsets against their Premier League-chasing hosts to claw their way into the last 16 of the FA Cup.
They won it via two smartly taken goals, heroic defensive work and more than a soupcon of luck. Afterwards, Ipswich sloped off embarrassed as the visiting team and their 4,472 followers celebrated as if they could not believe such days of wonder can occur. They can.
Ipswich had piled into their awestruck visitors, creating 10 chances in the first 20 minutes. Jeremy Sarmiento rattled one of Lucas Covolan’s posts and Sam Corne deflected Omari Hutchinson’s drive against the other. Meanwhile the Brazilian goalkeeper distinguished himself, twice from Hutchinson and once from Nathan Broadhead and Morsy.
The chances kept coming for Ipswich, but with George Fowler and Paul Appiah a pair of defensive colossi and Corne and testicular cancer survivor Sam Bone resolute in midfield, Maidstone withstood the opening deluge and just before half-time yet another Ipswich attack broke down and with their only shot of the half went ahead. Liam Sole’s cultured long ball forwards put Lamar Reynolds in behind a dozing defence. Ice in his veins, the Jamaican controlled the ball, sped forwards and, from the edge of the area exquisitely lofted his first Maidstone goal over the onrushing Christian Walton. Cue scenes of delirium from one team and scenes of disbelief from another.