CORNE Sam has cojones
SAM CORNE was the hero at both ends as Maidstone rocked the football world.
The midfielder’s penalty in first-half injury time saw the National League South minnows mark their first appearance in the FA Cup third round for 37 years by reaching the fourth round for the first time ever.
At the final whistle there was a first recorded stand invasion, as the players raced to celebrate with the home fans who had lifted them over the line.
They had to endure some nervy spells in the second half, with Corne producing a goal-line clearance alongside two outstanding saves from keeper Lucas Covolan.
It was nothing more than George Elokobi’s men deserved as the side which knocked out League Two Barrow in the last round produced a performance of a lifetime to beat League One Stevenage.
Sol Wanja-smith and Lamar Reynolds both went close in the opening 15 minutes before the hosts seemed to lose their way.
Louis Thompson twice fired in dangerous crosses from the left, the second of which needed Stones keeper Covolan to block at the feet of Jordan Roberts.
With Reiss Greenidge a rock in defence and skipper Gavin Hoyte urging his side to be more controlled on the ball, Maidstone finished the half strongly.
Reynolds headed into the side netting and Corne fired wide before the hosts took the lead on the stroke of halftime.
Jacob Berkley-agyepong was clipped by Thompson as he surged into the box and referee Steve Martin pointed to the spot.
Corne stepped up to spark wild scenes as he thumped a right-footed penalty inside the right-hand post.
Stevenage, who produced the shock of the third round last year with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win at Aston Villa, were not about to lie down.
But with the party inside the Gallagher Stadium in full flow, Covolan produced a remarkable reaction save to deny Jamie Reid on 52 minutes, then from the resulting corner Corne blocked Carl Piergianni’s header on the line.
Kane Hemmings looked certain to level when he raced clear just past the hour – but Covolan produced another dazzling block to keep the home fans bouncing. When finally Covolan was
By Steve Judge
beaten, luck was on his side as Reid’s header came back off the bar and from the rebound Hemmings hit the post from a yard out.
As the clock ticked down during four minutes of added time, every clearance was vociferously celebrated.
And then came the final whistle, which triggered the biggest party on the Medway for many years.