28 January 2024 , 21:39
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Maidstone United manager George Elokobi admitted that he was disappointed after the non-league outfit failed to land a plum FA Cup fifth round tie.
The Stones boss has masterminded a dream run in the competition for the Kent-based side, who play in the sixth-tier of English football. Maidstone had already beaten Barrow and Stevenage from the EFL before stunning Championship high-fliers Ipswich Town on Saturday to reach the fifth round of the cup for the first time in their history.
Maidstone were hoping to draw one of the Premier League big boys in the next round - but Elokobi and co will instead have to make do with another Championship away day in the former of either Coventry City or Sheffield Wednesday.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the draw, Elokobi, formerly of Wolves, admitted he wanted to draw his former club after they beat West Brom in the Black Country Derby earlier on Sunday afternoon.
He told Sky Sports: "It's a draw that most of our supporters didn't really want, but in my opinion it's a good draw. Both clubs are clubs with history behind them and we have to make sure that when the time comes, we go again and try to do it all over again.
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"It's a good draw, but it wasn't the draw we all wanted. My personal preference was Wolves and I was disappointed we didn't draw them to be honest! But it's not about me, it's about our football club and our community. We have to go out and do it [win] again."
Maidstone, who started their FA Cup campaign in the second qualifying round which began back in September, have earned more than £350,000 from their history-making run in the competition.
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Elokobi and Maidstone have made history with their remarkable FA Cup run (Getty Images)To date, though, they have failed to play a single Premier League team. Elokobi admitted after the 2-1 win over Ipswich on Saturday that he was hoping to land a blockbuster tie.
Elokobi told talkSPORT: "Obviously, we’d love a good tie – every bit of publicity and every bit of financial aid helps our community and helps our football club and players as well. Moments like this, our players just need to enjoy it – enjoy it, soak it all in because you don’t get too many moments like this In football."
Maidstone will find out their opponents next month when the Owls and Coventry meet in their fourth round replay.