Coventry City 5-0 Maidstone United: Stones boss George Elokobi ‘immensely proud’ as FA Cup run ends in last 16

George Elokobi spoke of his pride in Maidstone’s players at the end of their glorious FA Cup adventure.

The Stones’ history-making run was halted as a classy Coventry side ran out 5-0 winners at the CBS Arena on Monday night.

Ellis Simms’ first-half hat-trick and a late Fabio Tavares double saw the Sky Blues through to the quarter-finals.

Maidstone had already beaten one Championship club, in Ipswich, but Mark Robins’ ruthless side proved too strong.

“Huge congratulations to Mark Robins and to Coventry City - I thought they were worthy winners tonight,” said Stones boss Elokobi.

“They showed us what different levels are in terms of how they finished their attacks and this is why we aspire to be in football.

“When you come to a good Championship side, like they are, you have to make sure you stick to the game plan and I thought we didn’t quite follow the tactical structure of our game plan and we got punished for the first goal.

“But again I’m immensely proud of our players and how they’ve gone about this historic day.

“There’s been so much attention, they’ve inspired so many people around our Maidstone community but more so globally, and what’s not to savour?

“This is a moment we will never forget in the history of the club.”

Report: Coventry 5-0 Maidstone

Maidstone won seven matches to reach the last 16 for the first time in their history.

Hopes of causing another upset unravelled as Simms struck twice inside 14 minutes, completing his treble before half-time.

Tavares’ late goals were harsh on a spirited Stones side but Elokobi had no complaints after such a special run.

He said: “Some of the players are a little bit disappointed but my job as a manager is to pick them up and make sure we remind them of how we’ve