Sent to Coventry so here we go

[Deleted]

I thought that from 46 until the 60th minute we were the better side as we pushed forward and gave it a good go. We could have rolled over and died but we didn't and we gave it 100% and the 4th and 5th goals came late as our energy sapped away. I couldn't ask for more from the team against players 100 places above us in the pyramid and I'm immensely proud of their efforts.😁

[Deleted]

As we put the Wembley bunting away for another year, we can reflect with pride on what little ol Maidstone have done in the FA Cup, obviously the pinnacle being winning at Ipswich. Coventry played like a training game but we had a go and there were a couple of times when we opted to have another pass when we should have shot. Overall, it was an enjoyable night and the stadium experience was decent. One to live in the memory. Cheers to our players

[Deleted]

Probably sums it up. That and the fact that our luck finally ran out - no post or bar to the rescue, no poor finishing by the opposition. If Ipswich has taken any of their early chances, we wouldn't have been in the 5th round. Likewise Stevenage in the third.
Feel sorry for Lucas, because for two, maybe three of the goals, there was no cover for him when he couldn't hold on to shots. On another day, the ball would have been cleared by defenders, or just gone wide, but then last night the difference in class was clear, all over the pitch.
However, as Sword says, we gave it a go and there is no shame in losing to a side nearly 100 places above you.
As for mixing with the big boys, the occasion proved to me I'm happier watching such games from the comfort of my sofa, on TV. Yes, the atmosphere at the start was remarkable, with the noise put up by Stones fans more than matching the Coventry faithful. Absolutely ear splitting.
Less sure about our fans trying to achieve bragging rights, when we were already 2-0 down (Coventry then got their third), nor that bar area under the away end - madhouse of shouty people who had already had too much to drink and far too feral for my liking.
On the little train going to the stadium, Stones fans felt the need to make a noise - all very tribal - while Coventry's quietly minded their own business, as they did on the way back. No need to brag or bluster, their team did the talking for them.
At the start of the season, most people's ambitions were a good cup run and the playoffs. First target well and truly met. Second target well within reach and certainly hope that our home attendances stay high for the rest of the season, as it is the least the team deserve.

[Deleted]

I watched it, you should be proud on how far you went in the competition, every player gave it everything, you can't ask for more.

[Deleted]

Had to get up at 7 this morning, so brain not exactly functioning at the moment. Too early, perhaps, to get yesterday into perspective, but...

As Fred said, getting beat 5-0 hurts, whatever competition it is, and whoever does it to you.

But it was bound to end that way - NS side with no recognised strikers Vs Championship side pushing for promotion to the PL. And, I thought we actually played better than we did at Ipswich - it will be interesting to see a comparison of the stats of the two games!

Coventry were a much better side than Ipswich. We managed to withstand that first 15 minute bombardment (with a bit of luck) at Portman Road, but we were never going to keep Coventry out - the difference in fitness, skill, tactics was just huge.

But, paradoxical, we played much better football than at Ipswich. We had much more possession and we made multiple attacks. But, given the huge gap in ability and our lack of strikers, the only way we were ever going to score was to break as often as we could and hope luck was on our side. And Coventry were just too good for that to work, every time we broke, they were back in numbers and easily nullified our attacks.

It was noticeable just how much faster they were than us, not just a few players, but the whole team. If memory serves, I think their goalie only had to stop one attack from us - maybe two, and the closest we came to scoring was when we hit the side netting - once.

None of this is to criticise our players in the least, every one of them put in a real shift and never slackend off or gave up. They should be proud of how they played and how they stood up against a much superior side. We weren't just there to give the media a 'plucky little side FA Cup run' story, we were there to play football and do our best to win.

The final score might not suggest so, but it was a fitting end to a truly great FA Cup run. We went out with heads held high, respected by the Coventry players, and with an absolutely massive travelling support.

Everyone who was there - players, staff or supporters - will remember this day and this cup run as a truly great achievement and the highlight of, not just the 21st century Maidstone Utd, but of our entire history.

[stones1]

Those last two goals felt harsh but thats where the gulf in quality is so evident. As others have said I thought we gave a good account of ourselves but there was that gap, Cov were quicker to the ball and knew exactly where teammates were going to be for the next 2/3 passes. Definitely didn't disgrace ourselves and kept trying to play football ( which we don't do enough in the league at all). The only thing is I wish we took a few more shots when we approached their box, no matter how speculative they may have been.
Weirdly I'm quite glad its all over, regardless of how fantastic it has been.

[farawaystone]

Thought we badly missed the 6 or so players cup-tied/injured/suspended. We would have given a better account of ourselves with them playing, although I confess it was much the same issue at Ipswich and we somehow pulled it off. Appiah was a big miss.

[Deleted]

You know it's been a decent season when it's practically March when you can say "at least we can concentrate on the league"!

It's been an amazing run, I really thought Stones were going to get drawn against Leeds, perhaps Leeds will get Coventry in the quarters if we can dispose of Chelsea then the tv companies can wet their collective pants over comparisons with the 1987 semi-final where "plucky 2nd division Leeds" took Coventry to extra time at Hillsborough

Overall it has been amazing and I'm glad that today's generation of fans who weren't around for our epic cup trips to Watford and Sheffield Utd - and the soccer special train to Darlington - have been able to experience a decent cup run with a real giant killing thrown in for good measure. Can't fault the effort last night, I hope the players will reflect on their journey in the competition and remember the team spirit, passion and hard work they put in and replicate it in the remaining games of the season. One thing's for sure, our thirteen remaining opponents will be even keener to put one over on us now. Even if we ultimately fail in gaining promotion, it's been a hell of a good season overall.

[Deleted]

To be honest, you have more chance keeping goals out in these types of games when you just lump it and sit back in tour shape. As soon as Roy try and go toe to toe you lose the ball and in a flash they’re in behind. It happened for a couple of the goals.

[Deleted]

Feb 27, 2024 13:58:04 GMT yorkshirestone said:

One thing's for sure, our thirteen remaining opponents will be even keener to put one over on us now. Even if we ultimately fail in gaining promotion, it's been a hell of a good season overall.

One bonus from now on is we have 13 Cup finals to play.

[Deleted]

Yep, we did just that at Ipswich and got away with it when they failed to convert those early chances. No holding out this time, which was inevitable really, especially as Coventry showed us the respect that Ipswich didn't.

[Scot Stone]

Feb 27, 2024 16:43:55 GMT tonyg said:

Feb 27, 2024 13:58:04 GMT yorkshirestone said:

One thing's for sure, our thirteen remaining opponents will be even keener to put one over on us now. Even if we ultimately fail in gaining promotion, it's been a hell of a good season overall.

One bonus from now on is we have 13 Cup finals to play.

That only brings us to completing game 46,

am hoping for 2 or 3 more cup finals after that.

[Deleted]

Bit of a pisser for George. Had we beaten Coventry, it would have been Wolves away in the sixth round.

[Deleted]

Irony. Well on reflection only 3 players had good games in my opinion. Sole ,
Berkeley-Agyepong and Reynolds. The others were off their best levels. Coventry had 4 standout players in the starting line up. Kelly , Simms ,Palmer and Sheaf. Godden and O'Hare were impressive off the Bench.

[Deleted]

We probably need to get over this FA Cup mania and move on.

We massively over-performed. We’re not in the hat anymore. We have Dover to consider.

Or we can write off the league and just revel in the glory a little longer (which I don’t mind).