Maidstone United: FA Cup hangover 'must not derail league campaign'
- Published
Maidstone United and their fans celebrated their FA Cup achievement on Monday despite the defeat at Coventry City
Maidstone United must be wary of an FA Cup "hangover" in their bid to regain a place in the National League.
The Kent-based club's incredible cup run came to an end on Monday with a 5-0 defeat at Coventry City.
Maidstone, who were relegated last season, are currently eighth in National League South.
"We've slipped out of the play-off places and we have to make sure we have a very small hangover from this," said Maidstone co-owner Oliver Ash.
Maidstone, bidding for an immediate return to the National League, have dropped four places since their last sixth-tier game - their scheduled fixture against Weymouth on Saturday was postponed to allow them more time to prepare for the cup tie at the CBS Arena.
Attention had turned to the FA Cup though with their run against English Football League sides Barrow, Stevenage and Premier League hopefuls Ipswich taking them to the verge of the quarter-finals.
Maidstone, managed by former Wolves defender George Elokobi, would have become only the second non-league team in 109 years to reach the last eight had they overcome Coventry,
They are currently 21 points behind National League South leaders Yeovil Town but only one place outside the play-off positions, with only goal difference separating them from sixth-placed Hampton & Richmond.
"It's not going to be easy but that will be up to George to turn the focus of the team onto the league," Ash told BBC Radio Kent.
"We have to focus on the positives - the defeat was going to happen at some stage.
"Just focus on all the wonderful matches that we have seen: the fans going crazy with the goal against Barrow, beating Stevenage against all odds and the Ipswich win crowned everybody's season.
"Just to go to Coventry and compete has been fantastic."
The revenue from the cup run has bolstered Maidstone's finances and Ash added that is something that will not be forgotten or mishandled in the wake of their achievement.
"That's very useful and will help to stabilise and keep the club in good shape," he said.
"We'll continue to run the club prudently as we have done and we'll be in good shape to compete this season and next season whichever division we are in."
Maidstone travel to bottom-of-the-table Dover Athletic on Saturday, where a win could see them move level on points with Bath City in fourth spot.