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      Sam ‘Maidstone Golovkin’ Noakes forced to miss FA Cup clash with Ipswich on day off from training due to wedding duties

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      THE “MAIDSTONE GOLOVKIN” Sam Noakes has had his FA Cup fever ruined by an indecent proposal.Kent’s rising lightweight star was ready to treat himself to a day off from his training camp – ahead of his February 10 clash with Lewis Sylvester – to travel to Ipswich for his local side’s Fourth Round tie.
      Sam Noakes has revealed why he cannot go and support his hometown team in the FA CupCredit: Getty
      Maidstone captain Gavin Hoyte and his team-mates head to Portman Road this weekendCredit: Getty
      His big brother and fellow fighter Sean has even arranged a coach of 52 to drive up the A12 and roll with the in-form Stones.
      But 26-year-old Noakes – whose 12 consecutive knockout wins earned him the nickname derived from Kazakh KO king Gennady – has got to try on wedding suits instead as he’s best man for a so-called pal in June.
      “I am gutted to be fair,” the pocket puncher said. “There has been a real buzz around the town, shops and pubs are busier and lifted by it.
      “It sounds like there are dozens of coaches heading up there, die hard fans and just local people who fancy the day out.
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      “My brother has hired a coach for the day and organised a great trip, by the sounds of it.
      “He better be on his best behaviour because he’s fighting in March.
      “But the best chance I have of misbehaving is sneaking out of this suit fitting and trying to catch it on the TV in a pub.”
      Noakes has a fizzing rivalry with fellow undefeated 9st 9lbs banger Mark Chamberlain bubbling along nicely.
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      They’re both throwback fighters who prefer to let their hands do the talking.
      But Portsmouth 25-year-old Chambo’s next fight being booked for March 8 in Saudi Arabia has whispers rife that the showdown will land in the kingdom this summer.
      “Let’s hope so,” Noakes laughed. 
      “The fight between us has been suggested and speculated on for so long now, but we are still two fights away, he has to win his and I have to win mine.
      “I went to Saudi Arabia for the Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou fight and I will be back out there just after mine for Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
      “It’s a long way away from Maidstone and Portsmouth but it’s where all the big fights are headed and it would be great to be a part of it.”
      Sam Noakes will return to the ring on February 10Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Forgotten ex-Arsenal ace who played once & then came up against Lionel Messi out to cause one of FA Cup’s biggest shocks

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      ARSENAL may not be in the FA Cup fourth round, but a familiar face will be.Gavin Hoyte is out to cause an upset when his Maidstone United side take on Championship high-flyers Ipswich Town this weekend.
      Gavin Hoyte made his debut for Arsenal in 2008
      Now the 33-year-old is eyeing an FA Cup upset with non-league side Maidstone UnitedCredit: Splash
      Hoyte made just one Premier League appearance for Arsenal, but was on the Gunners books for over five years.
      Aged just 18, Hoyte made his debut in 2008 when Arsenal were demolished 3-0 by a Man City team that included Brazilian superstar Robinho.
      And despite only making that one league appearance the defender was called up to the Trinidad and Tobago national team where he faced one of the game’s greatest ever players.
      Hoyte came up against Lionel Messi on his international debut in 2014 while he was on the books at Dagenham and Redbridge.
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      But now he is a world away from facing Messi and lining up at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal.
      The 33-year-old currently plies his trade in the National League South – England’s sixth tier – with Maidstone United who he joined in 2019.
      Hoyte captains the Stones who are the lowest ranked team remaining in this year’s FA Cup.
      Maidstone face second placed Championship club Ipswich in the fourth round on Saturday and Hoyte is out to cause an upset with his underdog side.
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      The former Arsenal star has admitted that despite his previous matches against the best teams and players in the world, this weekend’s clash will rank high in his achievements.
      Speaking to The Bolton News, he said: “This is completely different, we’ve had six games just before this (to reach the fourth round), so it all builds up,
      “I get to lead the team out – hopefully I’m playing!
      “It’s definitely up there, the biggest thing in my career. I’m coming near the end of it now so I might not get this opportunity again.
      “These games are easy to get up for. You’ve just got to make sure everyone is sticking to the game plan and not going off script.
      “Sometimes with a big occasion you might want to do something extra but it’s very important we stick to the script.”
      Hoyte bounced around the football league before finding a home at Maidstone with spells at Brighton, Lincoln City and AFC Wimbledon along the way.
      Fans who tune in to watch his non-league side attempt a giant-killing on Saturday will see another familiar face too.
      Maidstone are managed by Premier League cult hero George Elokobi who was best known for his spell at Wolves.
      Hoyte and Maidstone earned their spot in the FA Cup fourth round with a win over League One outfit StevenageCredit: Getty
      The defender has come a long way since his days in north London More

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      Tottenham vs Man City: Best free betting tips and preview for FA Cup 4th round clash

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      TOTTENHAM and Manchester City lock horns for a spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Friday night.SunSport betting experts have previewed the mouth-watering contest, and carefully selected our best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses for the cup showdown.
      Best free bets for Tottenham vs Manchester City

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      Tottenham vs Manchester City preview
      It’s a tie that both Tottenham and Manchester City would likely have preferred to avoid at this stage.
      But it’s thrown up an intriguing 4th round tie which both sides will be determined to progress from.
      Spurs are starting to get one or two players back, with James Maddison the latest key man to return to training in what will be a major boost for the side.
      Another thing they have in their favour is their home record against City in recent years.
      City haven’t even scored at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the five visits they’ve made here, losing to Spurs on every single occasion in all competitions – which is a pretty unbelievable stat.
      With Kevin de Bruyne back in the fold, they have a much better looking chance of ending that incredible run than they would’ve had a few weeks ago.
      Spurs have only lost one of the last five meetings with City, which included a sensational late draw they secured in the last clash at the Etihad in December.
      Tottenham vs Manchester City odds

      Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
      Tottenham vs Manchester City betting tips
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      The last four Spurs vs City results: 3-3, 1-0, 2-4 and 3-2.
      These sides know how to attack and they’ll always give you chances at the back.
      Added to the fact this is a winner takes all cup tie and not the league, it could be even more open than usual and this could be goals aplenty.
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      Not the most prolific despite an attacking player but super effective.
      As shown when scoring a late equaliser when the sides met at the Etihad last month.
      Huge value to add another to his tally in this one anytime – will get chance.
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      I must admit, I was surprised to scroll as long as I had to to find Romero in the fouls list.
      So the 21/10 for at least two fouls appears terrific value to punters, particularly with having to defend more than he probably usually would.
      Card bet also in play but the 21/10 for this is the bet of the game.

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      Bournemouth 5 Swansea 0: Rampant Cherries book FA Cup fifth-round place after scoring FIVE goals in chaotic first-half

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      DOMINIC SOLANKE finished off a first-half demolition job on Swansea to take Bournemouth comfortably into the FA Cup fifth round.The £19 million forward completed a devastating opening 45 minutes with a smart finish before taking off his top to reveal a tribute to the late mother of teammate Jaidon Anthony.
      Bournemouth put on a superb display in the first halfCredit: Rex
      Swansea were taught a lesson by the Premier League sideCredit: PA
      Donna Antony passed away last week and was a popular figure at the Vitality Stadium.
      Solanke capped off an excellent first half where the damage was done in the opening 14 minutes.
      Lloyd Kelly put the Cherries on the way in only the sixth minute when he was left unmarked and swept home from David Brooks’ freekick.
      Brooks then teed up Alex Scott for a second when the Wales international burst down the right and unselfishly cut the ball back for the midfielder to slot past Swansea keeper Andrew Fisher.
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      Fisher had a stinker for Bournemouth’s third when his soft clearance was played straight to Scott, who passed to Luis Sinisterra to score.
      Brooks added a fourth in the 35th minute when he raced onto Solanke’s pass to sidefoot past Fisher.
      And Solanke made it 5-0 just before the break when Sinisterra’s pass split the sorry Swansea defence giving the striker an easy finish.
      The Championship side managed to plug their leaky defence after the break as Bournmouth were unable to add to their tally.
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      But the result will crank up the pressure on new Swansea boss Luke Williams, who has seen his side draw at Birmingham and lose to Southampton.
      Meanwhile, Cherries boss Andoni Iraola had a habit of taking unfancied clubs on a cup run in his native Spain.
      He took minnows Mirandés and then Rayo Vallecano to the semi-finals of the Spanish Cup and will now fancy a run in the FA Cup.
      Dominic Solanke paid tribute to Jaidon Anthony’s late mother when he netted Bournemouth’s fifth goalCredit: Getty More

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      I was Newport boss when we played in England with a team full of postmen – I never dreamed we’d face Man Utd in FA Cup

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      JOHN RELISH has seen Newport transform from a team of postmen to taking on one of the world’s biggest clubs.The County legend was their first-ever manager when they reformed in 1989 after being relegated from the Football League and going bust.
      Newport legend John Relish was the reformed club’s first manager
      John Relish with the first-ever Newport team in 1989
      Back then they had to play home games at Gloucestershire club Moreton-in-Marsh after cobbling together a team of local lads with the ambition to return County to the EFL. 
      Relish, 70, who also managed the club in the old Third Division in 1986, will be at Rodney Parade today for the visit of Manchester United.
      And he told SunSport: “It was almost two hours to get to Moreton so the team coach used to leave Newport at about 10am for home games.
      “But half the team were postmen who had been up doing their rounds since 4am so came straight to the bus, dressed still in their uniforms, absolutely shattered.
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      “So we reserved the back rows of seats so they could have a kip. I’d tell them, ‘Go and get two-hours and we’ll wake you when we get there.’
      “I was emotional at Wembley when the club returned to the EFL in 2013 but this match is another step.
      “I never thought in my wildest dreams that we’d be entertaining Manchester United when we were getting on the bus to Moreton-in-Marsh for our first game against Pegasus Juniors in the Federated Homes League.
      “Dreams don’t happen like that – but it has.
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      The stand at Moreton-in-Marsh where Newport played their matches in 1989-90
      The matchday programme for Newport’s first league game after reforming
      “And so many people deserve credit for forgetting this club where they are today.”
      County’s resurrection is a perfect role model for clubs that have been wronged by dodgy owners and the football establishment like Bury and Macclesfield.
      For Newport had the whole weight of Fifa, Uefa and the Welsh FA against them – yet this small club took them on and won.
      County returned home in 1990 but two years later were forced to spend another two seasons in exile – this time at Gloucester City – because the FAW banned them from their own country due to a refusal to join the League of Wales.
      At the time, Uefa were threatening to take away the newly-formed league’s European places and Fifa even looked to ban Newport from being allowed to play football.
      It led to the League of Wales president Tommy Forse spitefully branding Newport “no more Welsh than Gateshead”.
      Yet the club – who adopted the Exiles nickname – won a landmark high-court battle for restriction of trade.
      Relish said: “Manchester United will be a huge challenge this weekend but nowhere near as big as taking on Fifa, Uefa and the FAW. That was real David v Goliath stuff.”
      The former County boss made 337 appearances for the club as a full-back between 1974 and 1987 – but early in his career spent three months on loan at Bury from Chester.
      And he would love to see the Shakers inspired by the Newport story and work their way up the leagues now they have returned to Gigg Lane following their 2019 EFL expulsion.
      He said: “Clubs like Bury, with their fan base, it can be done. 
      “A lot of things must go your way but unless you energise the town you’re not going to get anywhere, and it didn’t happen overnight in Newport. 
      “We lost a generation of supporters. When we were travelling to Moreton and Gloucester, you saw them in their hundreds going to watch Cardiff.
      “But thankfully we had 600 fans travelling to watch us which gave us a good base to start climbing from a league where many teams were only getting 80.”
      There will be 9,500 crammed into Rodney Parade on Sunday. The club erected a temporary 1,056-seat stand for home fans and put an extension on to the away end for United’s 1,400 allocation.
      Newport’s team in the 1989-90 season
      Newport fans campaigning to return home at a civic reception
      Erik Ten Hag’s men though will have to cram into a much smaller changing room than the huge ones they enjoy at Old Trafford and across the Premier League.
      But they will be grateful County will afford them better hospitality than a West Ham team including Trevor Brooking, Billy Bonds, Alan Devonshire and Frank Lampard Snr received for an FA Cup Third-round game in 1979.
      Relish, who was in the Newport team, said: “You wouldn’t get away with it now. Len Ashurst was our manager and we had a plan to make it as uncomfortable as possible for West Ham.
      “They came down to our place and found there were no lightbulbs in the dressing room, no toilet rolls, the tea was cold and there were puddles all over their floor.
      “And we gave them semi-deflated footballs to warm up with!
      “We could hear them all complaining like crazy.
      “West Ham were used to the best of everything so we wanted to make them uncomfortable and see how they fancied coming down to South Wales on a cold, windy January night. It worked because we won 2-1.” 
      Although Newport hosted Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in 2019, Relish says this United tie dwarfs that because of their sheer domestic and global appeal.
      John is Relishing the big game
      The Red Devils along with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are regarded as the planet’s biggest clubs.
      Relish said: “United are one of only two teams Newport have never played, Liverpool being the other one.
      “But this game has made me realise just how massive Man Utd is – not just the fan-base that actually go to Old Trafford but the people who have a soft spot for them.
      “The city has gone absolutely crazy since we set up this tie. I feel so sorry for those who work at the club because we’ve got the smallest staff in League Two. There are just six people working full-time, a couple part-time and some volunteers.
      “This is not meant to be derogatory –but we have at the moment a National League South set up because the infrastructure off the field has not kept pace with the team’s success.
      “And this match against United just happens to have landed a week after we hosted Wrexham, which in itself is a huge game and was sold out to capacity.”
      But can Newport stun United on Saturday?
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      Relish said: “A lot has to go right. County have to play out of their skins, United must have a bad day, key decisions will need to go in our favour.
      “But the big dream for me is to draw the game and get a replay. A game at Old Trafford will earn this club £1million, enough income for the club to pay the whole of next season. More

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      I won Ballon d’Or, Premier League and reached Champions League final – but FA Cup victory was best day of my life

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      MICHAEL OWEN has revealed that winning the FA Cup in 2001 was the best day of his life.The former Liverpool star netted vital goals in the 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the final at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
      Michael Owen has insisted that winning the FA Cup with Liverpool was the ‘best day’Credit: Getty
      Owen, 44, fired in an equaliser for Gerard Houllier’s side after Freddie Ljungberg had given Arsenal the lead.
      The striker then grabbed a second that turned out to be the winner in the 88th minute.
      The victory completed an incredible year for the Reds in which they had also won the League Cup, Uefa Cup, Uefa Super Cup and Charity Shield.
      The final was held in Wales for the first time as Wembley Stadium was being reconstructed.
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      Owen enjoyed a fine career in which he turned out for clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United, Newcastle and Stoke City.
      He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2001 after a fantastic goalscoring year.
      Despite all his future success of playing in World Cups and winning a Premier League title, Owen has insisted that the day in Wales was the pinnacle.
      He told talkSPORT: “The best day of my life.
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      “It was just an incredible season winning all those trophies.
      “We won five in that calendar year.
      “It was incredible, but that game against Arsenal in the FA Cup final is something I’ll never forget.”

      On the game itself, Owen admitted that he thought they were going to lose before he bagged his first goal.
      He added: “For about 85 minutes of the game, I thought we were going to get beaten.
      “They were an incredible team. It was sort of the ‘invincibles’ era.
      “We had a good team ourselves and we were in good shape at the time, winning plenty of trophies that season.”
      “I was in good form going into that game.
      “I’ve never been involved in a game where I’ve not had a chance. So even though there was 85 minutes on the clock, I knew I’d get a chance – fortunately, I got two.”
      Liverpool won five trophies that calendar yearCredit: Getty More

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      Bizarre reason Chelsea are playing Aston Villa on Friday night despite FA Cup clash not being on TV

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      CHELSEA have been given just 72 hours to recover from their Carabao Cup heroics before returning to Stamford Bridge.The Blues defeated Middlesbrough 6-1 in the semi-final second leg on Tuesday to book their place at Wembley.
      Chelsea have to play two games in four daysCredit: AFP
      Chelsea have had little time to celebrate as they are back in action against Aston Villa in the FA Cup tomorrow.
      They have been given just three days rest after falling victims to fixture congestion.
      And it turns out that Fulham are partly to blame for Chelsea’s Friday night fixture.
      The Cottagers, who lost to Liverpool on Wednesday night, have a game against Everton next Tuesday.
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      To allow them enough time to prepare, Saturday has been chosen for their FA Cup tie against Newcastle.
      Craven Cottage is just up the road from Stamford Bridge and therefore both clubs cannot play at home on the same day due to safety reasons.
      Meanwhile, Unai Emery’s team have their next Prem game against Newcastle also on Tuesday night – consequently stopping the Chelsea tie being played on Sunday or Monday.
      As a result, the FA Cup fourth round clash has had to be moved to Friday night and it will not be shown on TV.
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      Villa come into the match having not playing for 11 days.
      Fans have been left fuming, one said: “This ain’t fair man.”
      Another added: “Absolute madness that a game like Chelsea vs Villa on a Friday night isn’t on TV.”
      A third commented: “What a joke.”
      Chelsea have huge games against Liverpool and Man City before the Carabo Cup final on February 25 More

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      FA Cup fifth round draw: Stream FREE, TV channel, ball numbers as Newport County eye shock win against Man Utd

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      THERE’S nothing quite like a FA Cup draw to get the heart racing – But teams need to make it into the fifth round hat first.Ilkay Gundogan’s double inspired Manchester City to lifting last year’s trophy at the expense of noisy neighbours Manchester United.
      Ilkay Gundogan fired Man City to an FA Cup final winCredit: The Times
      But the Treble winners have been handed an early test of their defence with a trip to Tottenham Hotspur looming.
      One of Chelsea or Aston Villa is set to exit the competition with the two Prem giants facing each other at Stamford Bridge.
      But Newport County will be hoping to provide the story of the round as they host serial winners Manchester United.
      When is the FA Cup fifth round draw?

      The FA Cup fifth round draw will take place on Sunday, January 28.
      It is scheduled to get underway from around 2pm GMT, ahead of Liverpool’s match against Norwich.
      Seema Jaswal has been selected to present while former Chelsea and Liverpool star Glen Johnson will be making the draw.

      Read more on FA Cup
      How can I watch the draw for FREE?

      The FA Cup draw will be broadcast LIVE on ITV 1 in the UK.
      This is a free-to-air channel only for valid TV license holders.
      Fans also have the option to stream the entire draw through ITV X.
      Alternatively, SunSport will have coverage of the whole draw as each tie gets announced through our live blog.

      What are the ball numbers?
      There are FOUR all-Premier League affairs including the big one between Tottenham and Manchester City.
      The ball numbers for the draw can be found below:
      1 Watford or Southampton2 Blackburn Rovers or Wrexham3 AFC Bournemouth or Swansea City4 West Bromwich Albion or Wolverhampton Wanderers5 Bristol City or Nottingham Forest6 Leicester City or Birmingham City7 Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry City8 Chelsea or Aston Villa9 Ipswich Town or Maidstone United10 Liverpool or Norwich City11 Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester City12 Leeds United or Plymouth Argyle13 Everton or Luton Town14 Newport County or Manchester United15 Sheffield United or Brighton & Hove Albion16 Fulham or Newcastle United
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      When will the FA Cup fifth round ties take place?
      The FA Cup fifth round matches will take place during the week commencing Monday, February 26.
      A prize fund offering £225,000 will be given to the winning clubs of that round. More