Maidstone United crashed out of the Emirates FA Cup on Friday night as former boss Jay Saunders led his Folkestone Invicta side to a comfortable win under the Chatham Town floodlights. 

Goals either side of half time from Donell Thomas and Ade Yusuff gave Invicta that they really deserved and in truth was rarely threatened, as the pressure continued to grow on George Elokobi as the Stones crashed out to a team in a lower division – this was the first time since 2011 that the Stones haven’t featured beyond the Second Qualifying Round and a very long way from the dizzy heights of Ipswich Town and Coventry City which were just eighteen months ago. The same fans who had reveled in that Cup campaign disappeared into the Medway night extremely disappointed at their sides display as Folkestone comfortably eased into Monday’s draw. 

It was the Stones inability to test Folkestone keeper Ted Collins despite a lot of possession, whilst Yussuf, Thomas and Joe Pigott were always a threat to Nathan Harnesses goal. 

The “visitors” had the first real chance as Sam Oguntayo could hit the Invicta goal with a free header from a corner, whilst at the other end, Liam Smith’s volley from a half-cleared corner flew inches wide. Yussuf showed his threat as he raced into the box but from a tight angle, beat Harness with the shot but saw it fly into the side netting. 

Patrick Casey then had a guilt edged chance for Maidstone after Deon Moore had brilliantly knocked down Riley Court’s deep centre, but Casey snatched at the chance from six yards and the ball hit the back of the stand rather than the net.  

Pigott then had a free kick well held by Harness before Folkestone took the lead just before the break. A defence splitting ball released Thomas who kept his composure to hold off a couple of defenders before clipping the ball past Harness. 

If that goal rocked Maidstone, Folkestone’s second just second after the break proved to be the dagger that Elokobi’s side never recovered from. Yussuf power and pace saw him battle through from thirty yards out jinking past and holding off defenders before Harness was beaten with some aplomb. 

In response, Maidstone labored – yes, they had chances, but they couldn’t find a way past Smith, Kevin Lokko and Joel Odeniran who were outstanding in front of Collins who didn’t have a shot worthy of the name to save. George Fowler hooked over a Maidstone corner, Deon Moore shot was horribly wide and even when Collins flapped horribly at a Jephte Tanga cross, there were no blue shirts to take advantage as many of their healthy support in the 1200 crowd had already headed for the exits and the trip back hole down Bluebell Hill. 

For Saunders and his currently nomadic side, as Cheriton Road receives the final touches to its 4g update, they can look forward to their place in Mondays draw and beyond as the future looks incredibly rosy. 

FOLKESTONE INVICTA – Collins, Mason, McKenzie, Smith, Odeniran, Lokko, Berry, Rance, Yussuf (Stroutts), Thomas (Dolan), Pigott (Hutchison) 

Subs – Jebb, Gurung, Simmons, Ogunseri 

MAIDSTONE UNITED – Harness, Sesay (Tanga), Fowler, Bramble, Corne, Moore, Agbontohoma, Court (Carvalho), Oguntayo (Hamblin), Casey (Golding), Kurtaran (Gilbert) 

Subs – Holden, Mbogba 

REFEREE – Mr. McDonald