FA Cup

TOTTENHAM needed an own goal in extra-time to spare their FA Cup blushes at non-league Tamworth.Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou saw his side struggle to make an impact at the Lambs’ tight ground – with the home fans breathing down their necks.An unfortunate own goal opened the floodgatesCredit: GettyDejan Kulusevski doubled Spurs’ leadCredit: GettyThe non-league outfit went toe-to-toe with Spurs for 90 minutesCredit: GettyBut with a full-strength squad on show in Staffordshire, this was a display that verged on the embarrassing before the Tottenham boss brought his big guns off the bench.Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson added to their extra-time 101st minute opener, which was an own goal by Tamworth’s Nathan Tshikuna.Sure, Spurs made it through to the fourth round – but it was anything but convincing during 90 minutes – and they were hanging on at the end of normal time with keeper Antonin Kinsky making two key saves.Tamworth took the Premier League side to extra-time – an achievement in itself and an indication of a distinctly average Tottenham display.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpurs finally broke the deadlock when Pedro Porro’s free-kick found Johnson and his cross went on off sub Tshikuna’s knee.Tottenham could control the game after that and they added number two in the second-half of extra-time when Kulusevski fired home.The pair had come off the bench for the added half hour and their presence proved a step too far for an impressive Tamworth defence.Johnson made it three with two minutes left to give the final scoreline a more credible look.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSTamworth forced Antonin Kinsky into action several timesCredit: RexSpurs can breathe a huge sigh of reliefCredit: ReutersBut the biggest day in the Lambs’ history started with them needing to mend a hole in the net.The comical episode ended with a joint effort from the Tamworth duo of Jordan Cullinane-Liburd and Beck-Ray Enoru.Why Daniel Levy will be fed PIE & CHIPS with Tottenham in for FA Cup shock at part-time TamworthBut the wait did not seem to have any effect on Tamworth’s nervesIt was Enoru who ended up making sure the net was sealed – and a minute later, he brought a sharp save by Tottenham’s new fan favourite Kinsky.There may be five divisions between the two teams – but Spurs did not appear comfortable on the plastic pitch.Tottenham skipper James Maddison looked like the man most likely to break the deadlock – but he was denied time and again by Tamworth keeper Jas Singh.Enoru was causing problems for Spurs on the left but skipper Ben Milnes had to make a crucial block on the line.The talk before the game was that Tottenham may not fancy this tie – with the Portakabin changing rooms and apartisan crowd.And Timo Werner’s quiet first-half seemed to reflect that.But he had two chances to open the scoring after the break.Werner had a header cleared off the line by Hadyn Hollis – but he should have done better when a mix-up at the back presented him with a chance, but Singh spread himself well to keep Tamworth in the tie.Postecoglou brought Dominic Solanke off the bench with 22 minutes to try and make the breakthrough.The fact that Tamworth had got that far into the game on level terms was a sign of Tottenham’s anxiety as they became increasingly desperate to kill off a game that had been expected to win with ease.Lambs boss Andy Peaks sent on two subs with 10 minutes left – Alex Fletcher and Kai Williams. Long throw specialist Tom Tonks was subbed with five minutes left.But the 90 minutes ended with Tamworth fans taunting Postecoglou with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning”.It was a rare goalless draw in 90 minutes for Spurs.READ MORE SUN STORIESPostecoglou reacted by bringing on more key men in the shape of Son and Kulusevski – which was credit to Tamworth’s outstanding performance.And it had the desired effect, but Spurs could easily have been on the wrong end of an upset.Kick-off was delayed due to a hole in the net as player and Zara shop assistant Beck-Ray Enoru fixing the issueCredit: ITV More

TOTTENHAM’S FA Cup tie at Tamworth was delayed by around five minutes after a hole was spotted in one of the goal nets.When the issue was identified, Tamworth players worked together to fix it and get the game going.Tamworth players worked together to fix the issueCredit: ITVA hole in the goal was spotted ahead of the matchCredit: ITVZara shop assistant Beck-Ray Enoru eventually fixed the problemCredit: ITVTamworth ace Beck-Ray Enoru got up on team-mate Jordan Cullinane-Liburd’s shoulders to use sellotape on the net.Earlier this week, SunSport revealed that Enoru works as a shop assistant for Zara, alongside being a part-time footballer.Cullinane-Liburd told SunSport of Enoru: “Best and most energetic dancer. Dances a crazy lot for someone who doesn’t drink.”Might be something to do with 12 Red Bulls he downs on team nights out.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTottenham boss Ange Postecoglou saw the funny side of the incident, laughing as he waited for play to get underway.The Aussie’s dugout had Tamworth supporters crammed in right behind it.Postecoglou, 59, selected several high-profile stars for the cup tie.The likes of James Maddison, Yves Bissouma and Brennan Johnson all started the David vs Goliath clash.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAhead of the game, SunSport revealed the inside of the away dressing room that would be occupied by Spurs stars.The tiny Portakabin houses one L-shaped bench, a battered and torn massage table, one rickety tactics board, a plastic bin and a portable electric heater.Why Daniel Levy will be fed PIE & CHIPS with Tottenham in for FA Cup shock at part-time TamworthSpurs came into the game fresh from beating Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.On Wednesday night they will return to Premier League action against Arsenal.Tamworth fans crammed in behind Ange PostecoglouCredit: ITV More

ALL eyes will be on Tamworth as they try to pull off one of the greatest shocks in FA Cup history against Tottenham.And striker Dan Creaney knows his late father will be looking down on him with great pride.Dan Creaney hopes to fire Tamworth to victory over Spurs in memory of his late dadCredit: AlamyThe minnows are ready to go all out and cause a huge upset on SundayCredit: GettyThe Lambs legend, 30, suffered the tragic loss in September 2022 when his football-mad dad Jimmy had a cardiac arrest in the club car park.It happened shortly after watching Creaney open the scoring in a 2-1 win over Basford Town.Despite the frantic efforts of Tamworth’s physio and three passing fans, he later died in hospital with his boy by his side.Creaney vowed to finish as Tamworth’s top scorer that season and kept his word.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIncredibly, he matched Erling Haaland’s 40 goals in his debut season for Manchester City — and dedicated them to the memory of his dad.He donated his £1,000 goal bonus to the four people who rushed to Jimmy’s aid.Now, as he prepares for the biggest game of his career, Creaney said: “Dad will be watching down on me playing Tottenham, absolutely.“We’ve been on a journey since I was five. We got even closer when dad started coaching my teams when I was eight right through to 16, for Stockingford AA.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“Back then, I was winning local cup finals at The Lamb when it was a grass pitch.“When I progressed into senior football, dad would drive everywhere to watch, to Ipswich, up to Hartlepool, on his own.Dan Creaney, Bricklayer and Tamworth FC striker“He wouldn’t miss Sunday, for sure, and he’ll be up there looking over me.”Creaney’s thoughts will be with his beloved dad as the team coach pulls up at The Lamb ahead of Tottenham’s visit — and he bravely recalled that fateful September night.Creaney revealed: “We were playing Basford and won 2-1. I scored early on, they equalised and then Ty Deacon scored a 95th-minute winner.“Dad will be watching down on me playing Tottenham, absolutely.Dan Creaney“Some of the lads asked me if I thought it was the nature of the game that caused [dad’s death] but I don’t think it was. I’d watched him struggle for a year or two with his health.“He was only in his 50s but had a previous episode and the doctor told him how long he had to live — six years — and that turned out to be bang on.“I actually had a drink with him after the game. We said goodbye and he then walked round to where his car was parked in the car park.“Then he rang me to say, ‘I need your help in the car park’.“I couldn’t really hear him because he was slurring his words and I thought his car battery must be flat or something.Pie’s now the limit for LevyEXCLUSIVE By Will PughDANIEL LEVY has been invited for a pie and chips in Tamworth’s Portakabin boardroom.Spurs’ millionaire chairman will watch Sunday’s David v Goliath FA Cup tie from one of the National League minnows’ 518 cramped plastic stadium seats.It is a far cry from Levy’s luxurious, cushioned heated seat at Tottenham’s £1billion state-of-the-art ground.And Lambs owner Bob Andrews insisted Levy will be brought “back down to earth” by the experience.Andrews said: “Tottenham’s facilities are out of this world, especially compared to us.“We are a local club, this tie will bring them back down to earth. But we have brought in caterers, so pie and chips are on the menu.“We’ve had other big games but nothing of this nature before. Tottenham are simply a massive club.”Premier League outfit Spurs have requested an extra 14 seats adjacent to the cramped away dugout to accommodate manager Ange Postecoglou’s army of coaching staff.But Tamworth can only fit in 12 — commandeered from their SOCIAL CLUB.And Andrews, 78, added: “Tottenham’s players and their bench will get some stick.“Their dugout is next to our shed, where our passionate supporters are, so there will be some verbals going on.”Bookies make fifth-tier Tamworth 16-1 underdogs to cause one of the biggest FA Cup shocks in history.But ex-Lamb Mark Phillips, now head of their academy goalkeeping department, said: “Everybody expects us to lose, but there might be an upset — 1-0 to us.“It’s going to be tough for them, that is where we might have an edge on them.“If we press them high they will probably get around us. We will have to sit back, soak up some pressure and get them on the break.“Our set-pieces will cause them some trouble, especially with their goalkeeping problems.”DAD TRIBUTE“So I walked round the side of the ground to see my dad was getting CPR.“With the help of some kind people we managed to get him to hospital, still alive, but it was no good.“To be honest, it had been expected for a long time. So although it was shocking, I had pictured in my head what might happen.“In some ways I was prepared for it. I was just relieved my sisters weren’t there and it was just me.“It was the perfect way in some senses. Dad wanted to get out quick, he just didn’t want to struggle growing old and stuff.“He was watching me play football that night, which was the thing that he just loved doing.“There is never a nice way, is there? But it’s the way that he would have wanted.”Jimmy would be proud of what his son has achieved — from humble beginnings as a midfielder with Bedworth United before blossoming into a feared National League striker.I made a vow to dedicate all the goals I scored that season to himDan CreaneyCoalville signed the Nuneaton-born late-developer before Tamworth then swooped for him in July 2019.Creaney, who is a bricklayer during  the week, has bagged 93 goals in 177 appearances for the Staffordshire minnows — including that amazing 40-goal haul in his dad’s honour.And he explained: “I made a vow to dedicate all the goals I scored that season to him.“I just wanted to keep playing, even though it was difficult.“Scoring made me feel like I was giving something back to all the people who tried to help.“And I was proud to give my £1,000 goal bonus that season to those four special people who raced to dad’s side, just to say thanks.“Haaland got 40 that season, too, but Macaulay Langstaff pipped us both with 42 goals for Notts County!”Now Creaney is looking forward to testing himself against mighty Tottenham — a mere 96 PLACES above Tamworth in the football ladder.He will be roared on by his mum Linda, football-playing sister Zoe, who turns out for Oxford United Women, and his other sister Kirsty.Creaney added: “Look, it’s Tottenham Hotspur and we could easily lose 7-0 — like we did at Barnet this season.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But I genuinely believe that if we can get to half-an-hour without conceding a goal, we will keep the scoreline down.“These games don’t come along very often, so we have to have a go.” More