Tamworth 0 – 3 Tottenham

Tottenham breathed an enormous sigh of reduction after needing extra-time to beat non-League Tamworth 3-0 within the third spherical of the FA Cup.

The ultimate scoreline flattered Spurs, who laboured all through the opening 90 minutes and would possibly nicely have conceded deep into stoppage time when Tom McGlinchey and Jordan Cullinane-Liburd each went near scripting one of many competitors’s biggest fairytales.

In the long run, the Lambs have been undone in scrappy vogue as Nathan Tshikuna inadvertently directed his tried clearance over his personal aim line from Brennan Johnson’s cross (101).

Substitute Dejan Kulusevski then doubled the eight-time winners’ benefit as he collected Heung-Min Son’s cross to fireside low past Tamworth goalkeeper Jas Singh (107), whose associate was watching from hospital after giving start to a child boy on Saturday night time.

With the hosts working on empty, Johnson blasted in a merciless third for the guests with two minutes of extra-time remaining (118) as Ange Postecoglou’s aspect averted an undesirable upset.

Postecoglou informed ITV: “It was a difficult recreation as we anticipated it to be. They made it arduous for us, with the floor it was about us staying clam and being persistent in our soccer.

“In the long run, we received the job accomplished. We knew we might end sturdy and you can see they have been tiring a bit.

“It is a recreation of soccer you go into it with trepidation and understanding you may slip up with the challenges. In most elements the boys stored their heads.

“We’re by to the following spherical and that was the target. Tamworth did very well and ought to be happy with their efforts. For us, we transfer on.”

Lambs to the Spurs slaughter? No likelihood…

Andy Peaks’ males – some 96 locations beneath their opponents within the English soccer pyramid, produced the sport of their lives. The Lambs, who have been down within the seventh-tier Southern Premier Central as not too long ago as 2022/23, have been a match for his or her illustrious opponents in regular time.

Tamworth, who knocked out League One Huddersfield to succeed in spherical three, had their probabilities to consign Spurs to the ignominy of a primary FA Cup defeat to a non-League outfit for the reason that 1914/15 season after they have been dumped out by Norwich Metropolis.

Inside 30 seconds, Beck-Ray Enoru examined Antonin Kinsky at his close to submit because the hosts signalled their intent. They weren’t right here to let this chance cross them by.

Again-to-back league titles have taken Peaks’ aspect to the summit of non-League soccer.

The staff comprised of a jazz singer, constructing surveyor, bricklayer, sports-science instructor and zip salesman have been good worth for extra-time as Timo Werner continued to toil. The German was stored out by Singh throughout a one-vs-one, which means it’s nonetheless only one aim in 26 mortgage appearances this season.

Tom Tonks, who runs a sandwich enterprise on the aspect, supplied his regular menace from lengthy throws. One among them beat Kinsky and hit the submit, however referee Peter Bankes had already awarded a foul.

Contending with the synthetic pitch the place just below 4,000 have been crammed into this compact floor subsequent to the A51, Postecoglou usually stood immobile in his makes an attempt to retain a level of calmness – however he didn’t hesitate to summon Son and Kulusevski in extra-time.

It was a transfer which finally proved the distinction as, after Tshikuna’s misfortune from Dominic Solanke’s scuffed try, it was Son who arrange Kulusevski for Spurs’ second earlier than Johnson rattled in from shut vary so as to add the gloss as Tottenham reached spherical 4 after an almighty scare.

Peaks ‘immensely proud’ of gamers

Tamworth boss Andy Peaks informed ITV: “I’ve informed my gamers to be dissatisfied as a result of we have been that near inflicting a large upset, however equally be massively proud.

“Everybody put a shift in and once you take a look at the staff we have been up in opposition to, it was unbelievable from our boys – I’m so happy with them. We had probabilities, the ‘keeper made saves however what was sensible is we have been within the recreation proper until the top.

“We knew it was going to be powerful. I wished individuals to see what we have been about, and I believe now we have accomplished that. I wished to come back right here and speak to you guys and be happy with what I’ve seen – I’m immensely proud.

“To get a house draw was higher. The prospect we needed to degree it was them coming right here. They’ve been so respectful and to deliver a staff like that claims so much. I can’t knock them.”

Peaks, a Leeds fan, revealed he had requested Tottenham defender Archie Grey for his shirt as memorabilia to recollect the event earlier than he paid tribute to Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.

“I really stated to Ange earlier than when he stated ‘how are you’? I stated, ‘I used to be all proper till I noticed your staff sheet’! However, no he was respectful earlier than and stated what an amazing job we had accomplished right here,” Peaks stated.

“And on the finish he was sensible and stated, ‘you gave us a proper good run for our cash, be happy with your boys, they have been implausible’.

“He has accomplished me a programme saying precisely that, so I will take that.

“I am getting Archie Grey’s high. He has promised me one. He will not let me down. He is aware of I am a Leeds fan and promised me.”

Participant of the match – Haydn Hollis

Tamworth defender Haydn Hollis accepted “it simply wasn’t to be” after being named participant of the match.

“We have accomplished ourselves proud, to take it to additional time is an unbelievable achievement,” he informed ITV. “The pitch, the fanbase, all the pieces was a little bit of a leveller for us. Possibly we simply gave all the pieces and fell a bit of bit quick.

“We make it troublesome to come back right here, it would not matter who comes right here. It simply wasn’t to be, so be it.”

Hollis earned reward for a silky piece of footwork within the second half, deftly spinning two opponents, and admitted he had caught the eye of Postecoglu.

“Their supervisor simply stated to me, ‘that is adequate to get you within the door right here’. I stated, ‘consider it or not, I’ve by no means accomplished it earlier than’. That is not my recreation, you may by no means see that once more.”

Heroic show from Tamworth falls quick

Sky Sports activities’ Ben Grounds:

“Tamworth’s subsequent recreation is a Birmingham Senior Cup match in opposition to Boldmere St Michael’s, the day earlier than Spurs face Arsenal within the Premier League. However for 100 minutes, these two sides have been degree pegging.

“What a heroic show from the part-timers. Tottenham limped into the fourth spherical. Peaks’ outfit pushed all of them the best way at a buoyant Lamb Floor on an event for the entire city to be happy with – albeit with a tinge of disappointment after they missed out on a probably profitable replay.

“Spurs’ extra-time objectives did not bitter a memorable afternoon for the non-League membership, who acquired a standing ovation.

“Tamworth had requested for volunteers to assist clear the bottom on Saturday morning to make sure the largest match within the membership’s historical past might go forward 24 hours later and Postecoglou confirmed loads of respect together with his beginning line-up.

“From the second kick-off was delayed as a result of a problem with the web in one of many objectives, you felt you have been witnessing a cup traditional. Play ultimately received underneath method 5 minutes later after Enoru received on the shoulders of goalkeeper Singh to assist repair it.

“Tamworth dug into their vitality reserves and have been virtually rewarded with a dramatic stoppage-time winner. A slip by Solanke offered an opportunity for McGlinchey however Yves Bissouma received throughout to dam and Kinsky gratefully gathered the free ball. It was a second in time which might have entered FA Cup folklore, nevertheless it wasn’t to be.”

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