FA Cup: Maidstone United achieved 'something special' by reaching third round, says co-owner
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Maidstone's four previous forays into the FA Cup second round had all ended in defeat
Maidstone United have achieved "something special" after providing the surprise of second-round Saturday to reach the FA Cup third round for the first time since being reformed, says the club's co-owner.
The Stones defied a 47-place gap in the footballing pyramid to stun League Two high-fliers Barrow, coming from behind to triumph with goals from Sam Corne and Bivesh Gurung.
"I'm over the moon - it's a wonderful feeling, it's great for the club and for the town, and I'm proud of [manager] George Elokobi and all the boys," joint-owner Oliver Ash told BBC Radio Kent.
"It's what you dream about. The league is our bread and butter, and we're doing well, but this is something special. The FA Cup strikes the imagination of everyone in the country who loves football.
"We're not going to win it but we're in the third round and we all start to dream of what might be. Everyone is in seventh heaven here."
FA Cup second round highlights: Maidstone stun league two Barrow
The shock victory had Maidstone manager and former Wolves defender Elokobi in tears after the final whistle as his National League South squad celebrated making history.
The old Maidstone United last took their place in the third round in 1988, where they were beaten by Sheffield United, but they folded in 1992 after longstanding financial issues and a new club was formed in its place.
"I got emotional for a reason, because I'm carrying all the emotions for my players, their families, their friends, this community and this football club," Elokobi said.
"The place is buzzing and who knows where this is going to take us as a football club. The players have left everything on the pitch and this is the magic of the FA Cup, isn't it?"
Meanwhile for Barrow, a 666-mile round trip turned into a devil of a journey - to the extent they offered refunds to their travelling supporters., external
Another non-league side who earned their place in the hat for Sunday's third-round draw is Barnet, with the National League promotion chasers securing a replay against Newport thanks to an 89th-minute equaliser.
However, seventh-tier Horsham, handed a bye into round two after first-round opponents Barnsley fielded an ineligible player, saw their run ended by a 3-0 defeat at Sutton United.
George Elokobi ended his playing career with Maidstone in 2022, signing off with a National League South winners' medal
Charlton and Wycombe add to League One casualties
Portsmouth, Derby and Barnsley were the big third-tier names to fall at the first-round stage - and they were joined on the cup scrapheap by fellow League One sides Charlton Athletic and Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.
Wycombe lost 2-0 at home to mid-table League Two side Morecambe as the Shrimps gave new boss Ged Brannan his first taste of victory since succeeding Derek Adams.
"I'm so happy to get that win under my belt," Brannan, who was in caretaker charge for last weekend's 6-0 thumping by Wrexham, told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"The family back home will be delighted, running up and down the living room, but I'm made up for the lads as well. They were outstanding.
"All my friends are Everton fans, but I don't care who we get - hopefully one of the big boys."
Charlton, meanwhile, lost 2-0 at a Gillingham side who, without another EFL side in Kent, consider the Addicks derby opposition.
"The players are buzzing and rightly so, they beat a team in the division above us, a local rival - you have the bragging rights," Gills boss Stephen Clemence told BBC Radio Kent.
There were no such alarms for third-tier high-fliers Bolton Wanderers, who thrashed League Two side Harrogate 5-1 thanks to a Jon Dadi Bodvarsson hat-trick and two goals from Daniel Nlundulu.
Cambridge caretaker boss Barry Corr, who took over from the sacked Mark Bonner, enjoyed a dream first day in charge as his side hammered fellow League One outfit Fleetwood 4-0, going three up inside 13 minutes.
Oxford and Peterborough also progressed with victories over League Two opponents Grimsby and Doncaster respectively, while two other third-tier sides, Stevenage and Port Vale, must replay after a 1-1 draw.
Three call-offs, two frozen turfs and a probe into eligibility
Three of Saturday's second-round ties were called off - for very differing reasons and with very differing timescales.
Forest Green's trip to Blackpool was postponed on Friday because of an FA investigation into the eligibility of a player fielded by League Two side Rovers in round one.
By contrast, National League North side Alfreton Town's tie with Walsall - to have been broadcast live on BBC One - was called off just six minutes before kick-off due to pitch safety concerns amid freezing temperatures.
Referee Sam Allison explains his decision to Walsall boss Mat Sadler and Alfreton manager Billy Heath
Crewe's meeting with Bristol Rovers had been shelved a day earlier, after the Mornflake Stadium pitch failed an early inspection.
Five more second-round games are scheduled over the next two days - four on Sunday and one on Monday - and all involve non-league sides seeking to create cup shocks.
National League leaders Chesterfield - first-round conquerors of League One table-toppers Portsmouth - host another third-tier outfit in Leyton Orient, while Eastleigh and Aldershot welcome Reading and Stockport respectively.
Wrexham entertain National League South leaders Yeovil before the lowest-ranked side remaining in the competition, eighth-tier Isthmian League South East club Ramsgate, visit AFC Wimbledon on Monday night.