By JON COUCH
COVENTRY CITY 5
Simms 9,14, 35
Tavares 88, 90
MAIDSTONE UNITED 0
Maidstone United’s gallant, history making FA Cup run finally came to an end at Coventry City’s impressive CBS Arena on Monday night.
Red hot striker Ellis Simms netted a fine first-half hat-trick – all assisted by Kasey Palmer – as the slick Sky Blues ruthlessly saw off their National League South opponents by half-time.
Fabio Tavares netted twice in the final two minutes to complete a scoreline, which was harsh on the Stones, who battled bravely throughout but only really had a Lamar Reynolds effort into the side-netting to show for their efforts.
Simms took just over eight minutes to fire the Championship side in front, found expertly by Palmer before firing past Lucas Covolan.
The same pair combined again six minutes later to make it two, Palmer threading the ball through the heart of the Stones box and the former Everton and Sunderland striker rifling across Covolan into the far corner.
Palmer conjured up goal number three on 35 minutes with an excellent shot from distance which Covolan could only parry into the path of Simms, who slammed home.
Covolan continued his excellent form in the last round against Ipswich to prevent Palmer, Victor Torp and sub Callum O’Hare adding to the scoreline.
Tavares did eventually add a fourth on 88 minutes after latching onto Matty Godden’s through ball and firing past Covolan before completing the rout in stoppage time after Covolan had kept out Godden’s cross-shot.
Still, the fantastic travelling supporters were the drowning out the CBS Arena with a standing ovation for their Maidstone heroes a afterwards, testament to a cup journey they will never forget.
For them now, it’s back to reality and finishing the job they set out to do in August – winning promotion.
COVENTRY (4-2-3-1): Wilson; Bidwell (Dasilva 77), Kitching, Thomas, Latibeaudiere; Kelly, Torp (Eccles 67); Wright (O’Hare 46), Palmer (van Ewijk 67), Taveres, Simms (Godden 67). Subs not used: Bell; Binks, Lusala, Andrews
MAIDSTONE (4-3-3): Covolan; Fowler, Brown (Hoyte 69), Greenidge, Kyprianou (Ezennolim 69); Sole (Gurung 69), Bone, Corne; Reynolds, Duku (Court 79), Berkeley-Agyepong (Iandolo 87), Reynolds, Duku. Subs not used: Earle, Smith
Star man: Kasey Palmer (Coventry)
Ref: Michael Salisbury
Att: 26,857
Match rating: 3/5
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