Skipper Gavin Hoyte has unfinished business in the FA Cup with Maidstone. Hoyte is set to captain the Stones when they visit Southern League Chesham in the First Round on Saturday (3pm).
He was in the side who threatened an upset at League 1 Blackpool in a Second-Round tie four years ago. Maidstone led at half-time through Saidou Khan’s wonder goal as boos rang out for the hosts but they trailed 3-1 after 51 minutes and that’s how it finished.
Hoyte is the only survivor from the starting XI as Sam Corne was out injured while George Elokobi has moved into the dugout as Maidstone manager. “It was a missed opportunity that day - 100%,” said Hoyte, who reached the last 16 with Watford in 2009. “You make one mistake and these teams higher up punish you.
Once they get that first goal, that’s it. “It shouldn’t happen but your head goes down a bit and it gives them an extra boost. “First half, their crowd were booing them. “We got ourselves in front and you’ve just got to try and hold on as long as you can. “After the way we played in the first half, you’re thinking, ‘Come on, boys, only 45 minutes and that’s a big upset’ but they were flying in League 1 and we couldn’t hold on.” Maidstone upset Torquay - then top of the National League - to set up the Blackpool tie.