Regular readers of my Emirates FA Cup musings will know that I love an underdog story. It’s part of the reason I fell hard for this competition.
The incredible journey of Chesterfield in 1997 saw my passion deepen and when it was the turn of my hometown club, Wycombe Wanderers, in 2001, I was never going to shake this obsession.
I’ve been fortunate on my journey this year to have witnessed a selection of teams overcome higher division opposition. Ramsgate’s successes over AFC Totton and Woking respectively saw them triumph against clubs from higher tiers, while Maidstone United defeating Barrow was also an impressive upset.
The Stones, managed by former Wolves defender George Elokobi, took it a step further by seeing off the challenge of League One Stevenage in the third round. This was happening on my doorstep while I was making my way to the Riverside Stadium to see Middlesbrough fall narrowly to Aston Villa.
Ipswich Town v Maidstone United
Emirates FA Cup fourth round proper
Saturday 29 January 2024
Portman Road
When not seeking another dose of FA Cup fulfilment, I fill my weeks working as a primary school teacher in Maidstone. Seeing the excitement amongst the children during the last couple of weeks as the journey for Elokobi’s men progressed has been wonderful to see and share in.
It has brought back cherished memories and emotions from Wycombe’s famous campaign – the buzz around the town, the anticipation of the next game, the fact my club were constantly the hot-topic of conversation. The parallels with 2024 Maidstone for me are easy to see.
Securing a ticket was not going to be easy as the Stones travelled to Championship high-flyers, Ipswich Town, but this was always going to be the choice for this round. How could I possibly look elsewhere? Sampling the buzz of my adopted hometown club on their own FA Cup adventure? Sign me up!
The opportunity also arose to attend the Friday evening match between Chelsea and Villa at Stamford Bridge courtesy of a friend who works for the Blues. Having seen the Villains’ last two FA Cup victories – albeit eight years apart! – I was confident of an away win.
Under the lights in west London, I sat next to my good friend, Adam, and enjoyed the frenetic pace of two Premier League sides going at it. It was all action and it was a real eye-opener into the breadth of standard across this famous competition.
Although there were no goals, aside from Douglas Luiz’s chalked off first-half effort – my first live experience of VAR – I headed home with a smile on my face.
The journey from Wembley FC in the extra-preliminary round to here has been such a joy and, while there are still four rounds to go, arriving at a Premier League stadium and seeing two top-flight sides do battle felt a little like completion in itself.
There was no time to rest on laurels though.
Despite the anticipation of Maidstone’s big day out, I could easily have missed it. Arriving home late from Stamford Bridge, I only managed a few hours of sleep before catching the 6.55am train to begin my journey to Suffolk. I gave thanks to my alarm going off as I hot-footed it to the station.
Three trains and a rail replacement bus later, I arrived in Ipswich and was met by a wall of black and amber. The Stones had invaded.
Prior to this round, I had been contacted by a media group who wanted to follow me on my day as part of a review show for the fourth round. Having previously worked as a reporter, it was a unique experience to be on the other end of the questions but, once again, it is another memory that I will cherish from this unique journey.
I’ve visited Portman Road once before and, coincidentally, it was also in the FA Cup as the Tractor Boys fell to a 1-0 defeat against then-top-flight side Portsmouth. Just as I did back then, I made the pilgrimage to the statue of Sir Bobby Robson outside the Cobbold Stand.
Sir Bobby is undoubtedly one of the greats of the English game and certainly someone who I would have loved to have spent time with. He is rightly remembered fondly in Suffolk having brought Ipswich their first and only FA Cup and UEFA Cup successes.
Traditional burger and chips consumed, I made my way inside the ground and was met by a packed concourse where the kiosks were in short supply of refreshments. The Stones fans were in party mood!
Inside the stadium, it was fantastic to see so many of the kids from school and, indeed, former pupils and parents too. Smiles were everywhere and, of course, tin foil FA Cups were the order of the day.
The romantic in me had predicted a 1-0 win for Maidstone but I felt beyond naive within minutes of kick-off. In an attacking sense, Ipswich were all over their visitors. They laid siege to Maidstone’s goal and it felt like much of the game was played not just in the Stones’ half, but more specifically in their penalty area.
However, football is not just played by forwards. The defence can easily win a game too. Elokobi’s men defended as a unit and despite their woodwork being rattled twice amongst a plethora of other chances, it was the side from the National League South who opened the scoring.
A clearance saw Liam Sole break on the right and play a long ball over the top to an unmarked Lamar Reynolds, who powered through and looped the ball expertly over the onrushing Christian Walton.
The celebrations were rapturous and with the sides heading for the break level, the task ahead was clear for Maidstone. Maintain the status quo.
However, Ipswich finally managed to convert one of their openings as Ecuadorian Jeremy Sarmiento struck from just inside the penalty area.
To be honest, I felt the chance of an upset was gone. Taking the lead once was such a moment to cherish for the travelling supporters. Repeating the feat against incredibly strong opposition seemed unlikely in the extreme.
Sam Corne clearly didn’t see it my way.
The matchwinner from round three latched onto a ball from Reynolds, taking one touch to enter the box before firing low into the net. What was I witnessing?! This was special. This was magical.
Once again, pessimism was ruling my head though. With half an hour still to play, this dreamland couldn’t last, could it?
Of course, we all know how wrong I was. The Stones defended as if their lives depended on it and with player-of-the-match Lucas Covolan between the sticks producing a string of fine saves, the Stones made it over the line. Their reward? A trip to Championship opposition again in either Coventry City or Sheffield Wednesday.
The celebrations will live long in the memory. Limbs were flailing everywhere, hugs were shared with strangers and many a toast was raised to Elokobi and his history-making squad.
As I sit writing this on Sunday, I can’t help but think again about the excitement I felt in 2001 when this was happening with Wycombe. I’m looking forward to sharing stories with colleagues and seeing the excitement on the kids’ faces at school tomorrow.
