Coventry crush Maidstone to ruin non-league side's FA Cup fairytale / Photo: Darren Staples - AFP
-
Spain flooding 'catastrophe' should serve as a warning, EU says at nature summit
-
Verstappen blasts 'biased' critics as world title tension builds
-
Mpox is not under control, warns Africa CDC
-
Spain flood death toll soars to 158, 'dozens' missing
-
OpenAI releases ChatGPT search engine, taking on Google
-
Hamilton says Norris can win Formula One title in 'down to wire' chase
-
Tsitsipas like a 'bull' to keep ATP Finals hopes alive
-
England captain George rejects Marler call for New Zealand to axe haka
-
More than 400 people come forward over Al-Fayed sexual abuse claims
-
Strikes near south, east Lebanon cities after Israel evacuation calls
-
Van Nistelrooy 'motivated' to help managerless Man Utd
-
Mud and misery grip epicentre of Spain floods
-
Georgia says ruling party won disputed election, opposition calls protests
-
Harris slams 'offensive' Trump as rivals go west
-
US election, tech jitters rattle global stocks
-
Harris slams 'offensive' Trump as rivals hit western battlegrounds
-
Tsitsipas keeps ATP Finals hopes alive with gritty Paris win
-
Turkey opposition protests at mayor's arrest for 'PKK ties'
-
EU greenhouse gas emissions saw 'huge' drop in 2023
-
Musk a no-show at $1 mn giveaway US court hearing
-
Beauden Barrett starts at fly-half for New Zealand against England
-
Musk's millions: Five ways the world's richest man helps Trump
-
Spain flood death toll soars to 158
-
Harris, Trump head west in US election race countdown
-
Amorim promises 'clarification' on Man Utd manager's job on Friday
-
Macron to speak inside Notre Dame for cathedral reopening: archbishop
-
Man Utd target Amorim says no decision before Friday
-
US Fed's favored inflation gauge cools in September
-
Global stocks slide on US election, tech worries
-
All Blacks coach Robertson defends haka after jibe from England's Marler
-
French PM Barnier 'doing well' after operation
-
Two children among three dead in Ukraine airstrike
-
Spain urges flood-stricken residents to stay home during rescue
-
Nepal's day of the dog as part of Hindu celebrations
-
Not enough time in universe for monkeys to pen Shakespeare: study
-
South Africa sweep Bangladesh series with crushing innings victory
-
All Blacks recall big guns for England clash
-
Musk to appear in court as part of Trump campaign suit
-
Spain urges hard-hit regions to stay home during flood rescue
-
Sales slump 27% at carmaker Stellantis
-
Global stocks decline after weak Wall Street lead
-
French PhD student held in Tunisia: supervisor
-
Yao Ming quits after seven years as head of Chinese basketball
-
US envoys in Israel to seek Lebanon truce plan
-
EU probes shopping app Temu over illegal products
-
Spain mourns after historic floods kill 95
-
New doubt over production cuts in plastic pollution treaty
-
Top MotoGP riders want Valencia race moved after deadly floods
-
Yao Ming quits as head of China's basketball association
-
Eurozone inflation rebounds more than expected in October
NYSE - LSE
| RBGPF | -0.13% | 60.92 | $ | |
| CMSC | -0.04% | 24.58 | $ | |
| RYCEF | -5.69% | 6.86 | $ | |
| AZN | -1.85% | 71.505 | $ | |
| GSK | -0.23% | 36.925 | $ | |
| SCS | -0.87% | 12.125 | $ | |
| CMSD | -0.27% | 24.764 | $ | |
| RELX | -1.34% | 46.29 | $ | |
| NGG | -2% | 63.794 | $ | |
| RIO | -1.3% | 65.055 | $ | |
| VOD | -1.29% | 9.27 | $ | |
| JRI | 0.56% | 13.123 | $ | |
| BCC | 0.39% | 134.9 | $ | |
| BCE | 0.37% | 32.36 | $ | |
| BTI | 1.5% | 34.885 | $ | |
| BP | 1.39% | 29.43 | $ |
Coventry crush Maidstone to ruin non-league side's FA Cup fairytale
Ellis Simms ruined Maidstone's FA Cup fairytale as his hat-trick inspired Coventry's 5-0 win against the non-league giant-killers in the fifth round on Monday.
Simms struck three times in the first half and Fabio Tavares bagged a late double to take second tier Coventry into the quarter-finals for the first time since 2009.
Maidstone, who play in the sixth tier National League South, had captured the hearts of football romantics with their run to the last 16.
They had survived seven ties to become the first team outside the top five divisions to reach the fifth round since Blyth Spartans in 1978.
George Elokobi's men had stunned Championship promotion chasers Ipswich with a 2-1 win at Portman Road in the fourth round.
But Coventry, who won the FA Cup in 1987, were never in danger of suffering the same fate as Ipswich.
"How can I not be proud of our community and our players. They gave it their all today. Massive congratulations to them," Elokobi said.
"The magic of the FA Cup is still alive. When we began this FA Cup journey, we knew we weren't going to win it. It was about showcasing our talent and skills. We have done that.
"It's given us life moments to remember together. Everyone connected to the club are proud of us."
Simms fired Mark Robins' Championship play-off chasers into a ninth-minute lead from Kasey Palmer's pass to silence the 5,000 Maidstone fans who made the trip from Kent.
The former Everton striker grabbed his fourth goal in four games six minutes later, 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 unable to get a foothold in the tie.
Simms completed his hat-trick 10 minutes before the break, with Palmer's shot pushed out for the striker to finish from close-range.
Maidstone keeper Lucas Covolan, one of the heroes of their win against Ipswich, tried his best to keep the score down as he saved from Palmer and Josh Eccles.
But Coventry still found time to score twice late on through Tavares.
The midfielder rifled in from Matty Godden's pass with two minutes left before he followed up in stoppage time to net after Covolan parried Godden's effort.
The remaining fifth round ties will be played across Tuesday and Wednesday.
Holders Manchester City visit Luton on Tuesday, while newly-crowned League Cup winners Liverpool host second tier Southampton on Wednesday.
Manchester United travel to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, with Chelsea taking on Leeds at Stamford Bridge the same day.
The other ties see Bournemouth play Leicester, Newcastle visit Blackburn and Wolves host Brighton.
A.Mahlangu--AMWN