The Sunday Times of Malta

Sixth-tier Maidstone stun Ipswich Town

Luton dump out Everton; Brighton win at Sheffield United

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Maidstone manager George Elokobi said the “magic of the FA Cup is very much alive” after the sixth-tier side stunned Championsh­ip high-flyers Ipswich 2-1 as Luton struck at the death to dump Everton out in the fourth round yesterday.

Ipswich are 98 places and four divisions above Maidstone in the English football pyramid, but manager Kieran McKenna was left to rue making 10 changes.

The visitors’ two goals were worthy of winning any cup tie as Lamar Reynolds produced a cool chip over Christian Walton as Maidstone surged upfield from an Ipswich corner just before half-time.

Jeremy Sarmiento looked to have restored order when the Ecuador internatio­nal drilled low into the bottom corner on 56 minutes.

However, there was another twist in a fairytale story as Reynolds this time played provider for Sam Corne to fire in the winner 24 minutes from time.

“Our boys have run themselves into the ground and that is what we said, ‘leave nothing in the changing room’,” said former Wolves defender Elokobi.

“This binds us for life, what our boys are achieving right now. What our boys are achieving now has not been done in over 100 years. The magic of the FA Cup is very much alive.” Pedro hat-trick for Brighton Everton and Luton’s priority is survival in the Premier League and the Hatters’ 96thminute winner at least ensured they both avoided a replay.

Vitaliy Mykolenko’s own goal gave Luton a half-time lead that was cancelled out when standin goalkeeper Tim Krul allowed Jack Harrison’s shot through his grasp early in the second period.

A bad-tempered affair appeared to be meandering towards a stalemate until Cauley Woodrow bundled home from a corner right at the death.

Pedro haT-TrIck

Joao Pedro scored a hat-trick, including two penalties, as Brighton beat Sheffield United 5-2 at Bramall Lane.

Facundo Buonanotte’s fine strike and Pedro’s first spotkick put the visitors 2-0 up.

But last season’s semi-finalists were pegged back before half-time as Gustavo Hamer and William Osula struck for the Blades.

Another Pedro penalty restored Brighton’s advantage before he completed his hat-trick and Danny Welbeck rounded off the scoring deep into stoppage time.

Championsh­ip leaders Leicester made light work of Birmingham as Jamie Vardy was on target in a 3-0 victory.

Leeds and Plymouth is one of at least four ties set for a replay after they drew 1-1 at Elland Road.

Newcastle face Fulham in Saturday’s late kick-off as the Magpies aim to move one step closer to a first FA Cup success for 69 years.

Holders Manchester City booked their place in the last 16 with a 1-0 win over Tottenham on Friday night thanks to Nathan Ake’s late winner in London.

Liverpool are in action this afternoon when they host Norwich at what is sure to be an emotional Anfield for the Reds’ first match since manager Jurgen Klopp announced he will leave the club at the end of the season.

Newport County of League Two are also seeking a huge upset when they host Manchester United today.

Liverpool vs Norwich ......... 15.30 Newport vs Man. United .... 17.30 West Brom vs Wolves ....... 12.45 Watford vs Southampto­n ..15.00

Blackburn vs Wrexham ..... 20.30

Millwall vs Preston ............... 1-1 Sunderland vs Stoke ............. 3-1 QPR vs Huddersfie­ld .......... 14.30

Barnsley vs Exeter ................ 1-2 Blackpool vs Charlton ........... 1-1 Bristol R. vs Oxford ............... 3-1 Cambridge vs Burton Albion..0-0 Carlisle vs Bolton W .............. 1-4 Derby vs Cheltenham ............ 2-1 Lincoln vs Peterborou­gh ....... 0-0 N’hampton vs Shrewsbury ...0-2 Port Vale vs Portsmouth ....... 0-1 Reading vs L. Orient .............. 1-1 Wigan vs Stevenage ............. 2-3 Wycombe vs Fleetwood ........ 2-2

Crewe vs Salford ................... 2-3 Doncaster vs Stockport ........ 1-5 Forest Green vs Accrington ..0-1 Grimsby vs Tranmere ............ 1-2 MK Dons vs Gillingham ......... 2-1 Morecambe vs Colchester .... 0-1 Notts County vs Barrow ....... 1-1 Swindon vs Bradford ............. 2-0 Walsall vs Sutton Utd ........... 1-1 Wimbledon vs Mansfield ....... 2-1

St Mirren vs Rangers ............ 0-1 Celtic vs Ross County ............ 1-0 Hearts vs Aberdeen ............... 2-0 Kilmarnock vs Hibernian ....... 2-2 Livingston vs Dundee ............ 1-4 St Johnstone vs M’well ........ 1-1

Celtic 57; Rangers 52; Hearts 42; Kilmarnock 32; St Mirren 29; Hibernian 26; Dundee 25.

 ?? ?? Maidstone United players celebrate their win at Ipswich Town.
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PLAYING TOMORROW
PLAYED YESTERDAY
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Maidstone United players celebrate their win at Ipswich Town. TODAY PLAYING TOMORROW PLAYED YESTERDAY TODAY

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