Coventry v Maidstone LIVE: FA Cup result and final score as non-league side thrashed in fifth round | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola looks ahead to the FA Cup fifth round

Ellis Simms ended Maidstone’s FA Cup fairytale as his first-half hat-trick helped fire Coventry City into the quarter-finals. The striker’s treble and Fabio Tavares’ late double sent the Sky Blues into the last eight for the first time since 2009 after a 5-0 win.

It was a disappointing climax to the Stones’ historic Cup run, which had seen them win seven ties - including knocking out Barrow, Stevenage and Ipswich - to become the first team outside the top five divisions to reach the fifth round since Blyth Spartans in 1978.

George Elokobi’s National League South side became heroes following their fourth-round win at Portman Road but there was never any danger of a repeat at Coventry. The Sky Blues were determined to avoid suffering the same fate as their Championship rivals, with Mark Robins’ men rampant, and Maidstone outclassed and outgunned.

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FULL TIME! Coventry 5-0 Maidstone United

George Elokobi’s National League South side became heroes following their fourth-round win at Portman Road but there was never any danger of a repeat at Coventry.

The Sky Blues were determined to avoid suffering the same fate as their Championship rivals, with Mark Robins’ men rampant from the start and 2-0 up inside 15 minutes.

Haji Wright forced Lucas Covolan into early action before Ellis Simms fired them into a ninth-minute lead.

Reiss Greenidge’s loose pass was seized on by Liam Kelly and he found Kasey Palmer to slip in Simms, who confidently beat Covolan.

The striker then netted his fourth goal in four games six minutes later, again combining with Palmer to drill in a low angled effort from 15 yards.

Maidstone, who lost 2-0 to Aveley on Saturday to leave them eighth in National League South, were outclassed and outgunned.

Jamie Braidwood26 February 2024 21:58

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FULL TIME! Coventry 5-0 Maidstone United

Coventry put an end to Maidstone’s incredible FA Cup run. There would be no repeat of their heroics against Ipswich as the sixth-tier side were well beaten by Championship opposition.

Ellis Simms scored a first-half hat-trick and Fabio Tavares scored twice late on as the hosts booked their place in the quarter-finals.

Jamie Braidwood26 February 2024 21:39

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Coventry 3-0 Maidstone United

76 min: Tavares and Eccles try their luck from range, with Covolan getting his hands behind the latter. The goalkeeper has had another good game, following his heroics at Ipswich.

Jamie Braidwood26 February 2024 21:21