FA Cup

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Watch ‘non-league Rory Delap’ cause total MAYHEM in FA Cup giantkilling… but does striker aim PUNCH at flailing keeper?

      by

      THE “non-league Rory Delap” caused utter mayhem in an FA Cup giantkilling.But should the goal have been allowed to stand?Tom Tonks has earned a reputation for his monster deliveriesCredit: RexHuddersfield goalkeeper Chris Maxwell could only punch the throw into his own netCredit: PAJust like Delap at Stoke under Tony Pulis, Tom Tonks has made a name for himself at Tamworth thanks to his sheer ability to launch a football further than most players can kick it.Speaking to SunSport before the Lambs’ FA Cup first-round clash with Huddersfield, Tonks said: “I’ve been hurling in throw-ins since primary school.“I can see it in the faces of opposing defenders and goalies — they absolutely hate it.”And so it proved in Friday night’s FA Cup upset as the National League side dumped out their League One opposition – with Tonks having a huge hand in it. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe only goal of the game came just before half-time after the hosts won a throw-in.That man Tonks went over to take it and fired in a trademark monster throw-in. The midfielder, 33, gave the delivery a huge amount of air time as he went for the aerial approach and dropped it in right in the mixer.And the confusion and congestion inside the six-yard box meant it was utter bedlam as the ball came down.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSo much so that Terriers goalkeeper Chris Maxwell went to punch the ball clear as he desperately backpedalled. But he only succeeded in knocking it into his own net before tumbling to the floor.Stoke legend Tony Pulis reveals Premier League club’s brutal tactic to stop Rory Delap’s iconic long throws The Tamworth players wheeled away in celebration that their super tactic had worked once again. However, the Huddersfield men immediately appealed to the referee.And replays suggested they may have had a case as it appeared Tamworth striker Dan Creaney caught Maxwell in the head with a wayward hand.Some even reckoned it may have been a punch to distract the goalkeeper. But with no VAR and the referee happy, the goal was allowed to stand and Tamworth recorded a famous FA Cup win.One fan said: “This is why the FA Cup is the best, part-timers Tamorth get through with a long throw! Magic of the cup!”Another wrote: “That’s what makes the FA Cup so magical! Nothing like a surprise long throw specialist to shake things up. Rory Delap would be proud — looking forward to seeing more of those epic throws!”A third added: “I’m crying, Tamworth have just scored goal of the century.”But a fourth replied: “Love a cup upset but… that’s a foul.”READ MORE SUN STORIESA fifth responded: “What about the punch on the goalkeeper?”And a final user commented: “I’m not the only one that saw the Tamworth player punching the Huddersfield keeper when they scored their goal right?!”Tonks was up to his usual tricks with another epic long throw-inCredit: BBCHe launched the ball high in the air and got it to drop inside the six-yard boxCredit: BBCHe placed it perfectly under the crossbarCredit: BBCThe goalkeeper failed to deal with itCredit: BBCThere were complaints from the Terriers of a foul on the goalkeeperCredit: BBCIt proved to be the only goal of the game as Tamworth caused an FA Cup shockCredit: PAWho are these famous footballers? More

    • 200 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      FA Cup second round draw: Date, start time, live stream FREE, ball numbers and TV channel

      by

      THE FA CUP is rolling on at pace with the first round proper fixtures currently underway.And that means we won’t have long until the second round draw!Kelly Somers will be hosting the second round drawCredit: Instagram @kellyesomersSides from League One and League Two are entering the competition in the first round proper as the road to Wembley begins.Northampton Town are hosting Kettering Town in a huge derby.While MK Dons are taking on AFC Wimbledon.The lowest ranked team in the first round is Hednesford Town, who are currently 14th in the Northern Premier League Division One West.The Pitmen take on Gainsborough Trinity and will be number 12 in the second round draw should they pull off the shock.The second round proper ties will be played between Friday 29 November and Monday 2 December.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWhen is the FA Cup second round draw?The FA Cup second round draw is taking place on Sunday, November 3.The draw will be broadcast during BBC’s first round highlights show on BBC Two, and is expected at 7.45pm.Most read in FA CupKelly Somers will be hosting, with Emile Heskey and Leon Osman conducting the draw.How can I watch the FA Cup second round draw?The FA Cup second round draw will be televised on BBC Two during the BBC’s first round highlights show.It will also be available to be live streamed for FREE on the FA Cup’s YouTube page and across the FA Cup’s social channels.Emile Heskey will be conducting the drawCredit: GettyWhat are the ball numbers?1. Rotherham United or Cheltenham Town2. Barrow or Doncaster Rovers3. Worthing or Morecambe4. Boreham Wood or Leyton Orient5. Exeter City or Barnet6. Carlisle United or Wigan Athletic7. Tamworth or Huddersfield Town8. Brackley Town or Braintree Town9. Curzon Ashton or Mansfield Town10. Wycombe Wanderers or York City11. Bradford City or Aldershot Town12. Hednesford Town or Gainsborough Trinity13. Burton Albion or Scarborough Athletic14. Tranmere Rovers or Oldham Athletic15. Rochdale or Bromley16. Walsall or Bolton Wanderers17. Grimsby Town or Wealdstone18. Bristol Rovers or Weston Super Mare19. Milton Keynes Dons or AFC Wimbledon20. Solihull Moors or Maidstone United21. Stockport County or Forest Green Rovers22. Reading or Fleetwood Town23. Stevenage or Guiseley24. Northampton Town or Kettering Town25. Rushall Olympic or Accrington Stanley26. Swindon Town or Colchester United27. Salford City or Shrewsbury Town28. Crewe Alexandra or Dagenham & Redbridge29. Port Vale or Barnsley30. Chesham United or Lincoln City31. Chesterfield or Horsham32. Southend United or Charlton Athletic33. Notts County or Alfreton Town34. Maidenhead United or Crawley Town35. Harrogate Town or Wrexham36. Woking or Cambridge United37. Gillingham or Blackpool38. Tonbridge Angels or Harborough Town39. Sutton United or Birmingham City40. Newport County or Peterborough United More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      We hosted Arsenal and received compliment from Arsene Wenger, then EFL ordered us to spend £1m tearing up our pitch

      by

      SUTTON chairman Bruce Elliott believes hosting Arsenal in the FA Cup seven years ago started an incredible journey.That last-16 clash set the wheels in motion for a rise within four years into the EFL for the first time since the team was formed in 1898.Sutton welcomed Arsenal in the fifth round of the FA Cup back in 2017Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdBruce Elliott – Sutton Utd Chairman. Pic Jamie McPhilimey. 16.02.17.Credit: Jamie McPhilimey – The SunAnd although the tiny Surrey club are back in non-league after relegation last season, Elliott hopes knocking Birmingham out of the FA Cup on Sunday at Gander Green Lane can be the prologue to another glorious chapter.Elliott said: “That run to the fifth round was our best in the FA Cup and it set off a chain of events that eventually saw us win EFL status — something we’d never expected or dreamed of.“The FA Cup has been great for this club. Of course, we famously knocked out the defending FA Cup holders Coventry in 1989 but our run in 2017 was special.“We beat Wimbledon after a replay, upset Leeds here and then hosted an Arsenal team who had just played Bayern Munich a few days earlier.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“In The Sun there was a whole page about our small changing rooms and how it was a huge come-down from what they’d experienced!“And a lot was made of our 3G pitch before that match and how Arsenal would cope with playing on it.”Arsene Wenger put out a strong team and beat the plucky part-timers 2-0 with goals from Lucas Perez and Theo Walcott.And Elliott will never forget meeting the legendary former manager after the match.Most read in FA CupCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe Sutton chairman said: “I apologised to him about the size of the dressing rooms.“He replied, ‘It’s fine, people forget I used to manage a small team in France and in any case I rather like the smaller sized ones, you’re nearer the players.’ What a great answer. Another lovely thing was when I asked why with the game in the bag with just 16 minutes left did he bring on Alexis Sanchez?Lincoln’s Ethan Erhahon reveals players STOLE the physio’s car and he was offered a ‘scrap’ with a fan – What the EFL“After all, they had paid £30million for that guy, so why risk him against a non-league team late in a game that is pretty much over.“He replied, ‘I thought it was the right thing to do for such an occasion as this!’“That was absolutely quality and class from him. He understood what a big deal it was for Sutton United.”When Sutton won promotion to the EFL in 2021, they had to rip up their 3G pitch and install a grass one. It is something that still rankles with Elliott and Sutton fans.Already in the three seasons since they lost it, it has cost the club around £1MILLION.Elliott said: “It does seem ridiculous that our 3G pitch was good enough to host Arsenal in the FA Cup — but not for League Two games!“I don’t get why the EFL doesn’t relax the rules. They’re even allowed in European competitions.“There are a lot of people at those higher levels living in the past — thinking back to the days of the inferior plastic pitches at Luton, Oldham and QPR. They are now of the highest quality.”Another bugbear for Elliott is the FA scrapping cup replays — denying them a possible money-spinning replay at St Andrew’s.He said: “There is no logic to getting rid of them until the third round when Premier League sides enter.“I understand it at that point but to lose them from the first round denies clubs at our level the chance to get another TV payday.”The Blues come to Surrey as the biggest spending club outside of the Premier League.No team in League One history has ever splashed the cash quite like the Brummies — with Jay Stansfield arriving for £15million with it set to rise to £20m depending on appearances and promotion.It is a far cry from Sutton who have one of the lowest budgets in the fifth tier.READ MORE SUN STORIESElliott said: “We’re still ambitious but we’ve always spent within our means.“It was an incredible achievement for us to be in the EFL. Now that we’ve tasted it, we most definitely would like to get there again.” More

    • 200 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Meet FA Cup underdogs whose star man is gravedigger and manager played under Sir Alex Ferguson

      by

      SCARBOROUGH’S part-timers hope gravedigging midfielder Dom Tear can help leave managerless Burton’s FA Cup hopes dead and buried this weekend.Tear has scored 10 goals in all competitions this season for sixth-tier side Scarborough, who take on League One’s bottom club Burton, who are winless, on Saturday in the first round.Scarborough hope gravedigger midfielder Dom Tear can inspire them to a winCredit: X @16TearFormer Man Utd star Jonathan Greening is in charge of the National League north sideCredit: GettyScarborough’s line-up is comprised of teachers, an NHS physio and an electrical powerline worker, among other trades, as the National League North side sense an upset.But Seadogs stalwart Kieran Glynn feels gravedigger and midfield partner Tear is the one most likely to signal the portents of doom to Brewers’ fans at the Pirelli Stadium.Glynn, also a furniture removal man, told the PA news agency: “Dom Tear is absolutely on fire, so gravedigging and football must be working!”He scored two in the last round as well, that’s 10 in all competitions. He can’t stop scoring.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”First-team coach Jimmy (Beadle), Mr Scarborough, nicknamed him the ‘backdoor burglar’.”Jimmy’s love for the town is mental. He’s unbelievable for morale and the funniest man I’ve met in football.”He said to Dom: ‘You’ve got 10 goals, but completed three passes’. Dom won’t touch the ball for 87 minutes and then he’ll score two in the last three.”He’s just there. They’re all one-touch finishes. Balls in across the box and he’ll sneak in back stick to tap it in.Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”His knack of being in the right place at the right time is the best I’ve seen in a long time.”The Seadogs rose from the ashes as a ‘phoenix club’ in 2007, renamed as Scarborough Athletic and resuming in the 10th tier after the club had been wound up days earlier with debts of £2.5million.Meet non-league star with longest throw in football who plans to put it to good use in FA Cup giant killingThey moved into their new Flamingo Land Stadium in 2017 having spent 10 years playing home games at Bridlington Town, 20 miles away.Former Manchester United midfielder Jonathan Greening was appointed manager in 2021 and guided the club to promotion to National League North in his first season.Glynn, in his third spell with the Seadogs, said: “Jono has revamped the whole club. It’s a club that, once it gets its claws in you, you keep coming back. I’m proof of that, I can’t get away!”But Jono came in and absolutely lifted the place in every aspect. Whether that’s professionalism or getting the fans onside.”Over 1,000 supporters will make the trip to Staffordshire on Saturday as Scarborough bid to reach round two for the second successive season.They beat Dunstan 5-2 in a replay, Warrington Rylands 2-0 and then Chester 3-1 in the qualifying rounds.”Before the first-round draw, half the lads wanted Hednesford or Gainsborough and the other half wanted Birmingham or Wrexham,” Glynn said.”We trained this week on Tuesday and everyone was buzzing for it.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It’s weird seeing lads who have had a few niggles in the last couple of weeks training their hearts out.”Anyone in football knows confidence is massive. You would assume confidence is low in Burton’s camp and hopefully we can capitalise on that.” More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      FA Cup first round: ‘Baffled’ club chief blasts ‘confusing’ TV picks after Ollie Watkins’ former club snubbed

      by

      FA CUP bosses have been slammed for their “confusing” first round TV picks by a club chief hoping for a giant-killing. Weston-super-Mare make the short 24-mile journey to Bristol Rovers tomorrow.Weston-super-Mare travel to Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Stadium with the derby not on teleCredit: RexOllie Watkins spent one season on loan at non-league club as a youngsterCredit: BPMThe sixth tier club have come through three qualifying rounds to make the first round proper and have been rewarded with a local derby against League One opponents. Many expected the game to be one of the five selected for TV coverage across ITV and the BBC this weekend.But Weston-super-Mare’s huge clash has been surprisingly snubbed. Tamworth welcome Huddersfield on the Beeb tonight and Northampton’s local derby with Kettering Town is on tele on Saturday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSutton vs Birmingham and Harrogate vs Wrexham are live on Sunday before the action concludes on Monday as Chesham United face Lincoln. But the West Country clash’s rejection has frustrated Weston-super-Mare director Ed Bliss, who told Bristol Live: “It baffled all of us.”You’ve got Birmingham and Sutton being televised. Confusing. You know why with Wrexham. They’ve got a bit of weight behind them. I’m not taking it away from them. “But you can’t get a better opportunity to televise a game in the FA Cup than two reasonably well-matched teams on each other’s doorstep. Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”So it’s confusing, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”Asked how much the club could have made if shown on tele, Bliss explained: “It would have been in the realms of about £80,000.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozers”So a game changer for us to build for next season, to plug in a little bit of finance for this season. But that’s the way it goes.”Weston-super-Mare, who are top of the National League South, was where England hero Ollie Watkins played on loan in the 2014/15 season.They are taking around 2,000 fans up the M5 to the Memorial Stadium for the huge FA Cup clash, which has been labelled one of the biggest games in the club’s history. More

    • 275 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Meet non-league star with longest throw in football who plans to put it to good use as club target FA Cup giant-killing

      by

      HE IS the Rory Delap of the National League — and can hurl a football further than most can kick it.Tom Tonks intends to put ­Huddersfield through hell with his long-throws in the FA Cup at The Lamb tonight.Tom Tonks hopes his long throw will fire Tamworth to FA Cup glory over HuddersfieldCredit: X/ tamworthfcTonks’ long throws are just like the ones used back in the day by Rory DelapCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdTamworth’s not-so-secret weapon has also earned a reputation for scoring spectacular long-range goals which have made him a huge hit on social media.So Terriers’ Aussie goalkeeper Jacob Chapman is sure to be tested whenever Tonks picks up the ball.Former Stoke midfielder Delap made long-throws fashionable under boss Tony Pulis during their promotion to the Premier League in 2008 and their run to the FA Cup final in 2011.Tonks, 33, said: “I’ve been hurling in throw-ins since primary school.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“My headteacher at primary school said to me: ‘You never threw that in,’ because he had his back to me and assumed I’d kicked it.“So I asked him if he wanted me to do it again and he couldn’t believe the distance.“I’ve had a lot of joy with it since and get called the Rory Delap of the National League but I wouldn’t mind his wages from a few years ago! I’ve never actually measured how far I can throw the ball, I just launch it as far as I can.“The lads sometimes ask me to take something off it and keep it between the goalposts, because I can deliver it well beyond the back post if I want.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I can see it in the faces of opposing defenders and goalies — they absolutely hate it.”Teams are obviously now planning for Tonks’ arrival and Huddersfield will no doubt be well aware of it on the artifical surface at The Lamb. I broke FA Cup record against Man Utd in final.. 20 years later I’m playing for non-league side in qualifying roundTonks’ long throws have become the stuff of legendCredit: YOUTUBE / Vanarama National LeagueAnd since a 7-0 defeat at Barnet in August, the National League North champions have shown they have what it takes to compete at a higher level.Tonks added: “When we played Barnet, we got a bit of a turning over.“But they are full-time and spent a day of analysis on us.“Their players were actually told NOT to give away any throw-ins in their half. Fair play to them I don’t think I took one in the 90 minutes!”While Jurgen Klopp famously employed a throw-in coach at Liverpool, Tonks has never been taught how to perfect his technique.He said: “It’s just natural to me. I just do the same weights as the other lads.“I’m not chucking medicine balls around the gym or anything like that.“I’d probably get banned for putting the ball through the wall if I did!JACK OF ALL TRADES“It’s more to do with timing. Someone asked me the other day how many assists I’ve had but I’ve never kept count.”As one of the few part-time teams in the National League, 5am gym sessions before work are not uncommon for Tonks and his team-mates.But, as well as the throws, Tonks is more than useful with his feet.A David Beckham-esque goal from the halfway line he scored for Stourbridge against Peterborough Sports in the FA Cup went viral.He revealed: “That got a million views in a week and my phone didn’t stop ringing for two weeks.“You can hear team-mate Luke Benbow’s mum screaming on the audio. That’s a funny listen on Youtube, well worth 20 seconds of anyone’s time!”Tonks also scored a screamer for Tamworth earlier this season to seal a stoppage-time win at Braintree.He charged into a tackle on the right touchline and, when his opponent pulled out of the challenge, Tonks sent the ball sailing over the goalie’s head from 40 yards and found the top corner.Hopefully big Dave is looking down and I can get another goal for him on Friday nightTom TonksTonks added: “My phone blew up after that as well!“I had a tweet from some Italian sports news station and someone in Kuwait too. Mad.“I’ve watched it a few times since and I’m still asking myself how it actually went in!“It was also special because it was my first goal after my grandad passed away.“He used to love coming to watch me. He’s been to so many cold parks in step six of non-league and used to be instantly noticeable in his white vest!“Hopefully big Dave is looking down and I can get another goal for him on Friday night.”Tonks is a Wolves fan and has a score to settle with Huddersfield.He went to a Premier League game at Molineux when Town’s Aaron Mooy put two free-kicks past Rui Patricio in 2018.READ MORE SUN STORIESPart-time Tonks, who also sells sandwiches and sausage rolls from a food truck, added: “I’ll never forget that so I owe them one.“It’s going to be very tough but we’ve had some good results at home and fancy ourselves against anyone at The Lamb.” More

    • 263 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League legend in shock career move as he heads to Scotland after 24 years and 450 games in English top-flight

      by

      FORMER Premier League referee Martin Atkinson is set to take over as VAR manager at the Scottish FA.The 53-year-old will say goodbye to the English game after 24 years.Martin Atkinson is set to take over as VAR manager at the Scottish FACredit: PAThe SFA moved quickly to steal Atkinson after Jon Moss left his VAR manager role after just 52 days of startin it.SunSport understands Moss will be taking up a top job with the Australian FA.Now, Atkinson will begin work as Scottish head ref Willie Collum’s No 2 in early December.Collum, 45, said: “I am delighted to appoint someone of Martin’s calibre.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”I did not expect to be recruiting for that position again so quickly, but Jon received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and went with our best wishes.”I am pleased Martin has agreed to continue the considerable work undertaken to date in optimising our VAR operation.”And I’m sure our VAR officials and match officials generally will look forward to working with someone of Martin’s experience.”Atkinson was a Prem official for 20 years and refereed the 2015 Europa League final, won by Aston Villa manager Unai Emery during his time with LaLiga outfit Sevilla.Most read in FootballJon Moss left the SFA after little more than a month in postCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAtkinson oversaw 463 games in the English top-flight before turning to manage PGMOL’s Select Group. The Select Group meet twice per month for training sessions and analysis of match videos and data to help improve refereeing performances.Football analyst bizarrely blames ref Anthony Taylor for ‘hindering Man Utd’s play’ in humiliating loss to LiverpoolHe leaves the Select Group after joining in 2022 following his last Prem match – where Crystal Palace beat Manchester United 1-0 at Selhurst Park.Incidentally, that was the ground where he made his debut 17 years prior.Atkinson is only behind Mike Dean (521) for most Prem games refereed. PGMOL said: “Everyone would like to thank Martin and wish him every success for the future.”Atkinson refereed games at Euro 2016 and became a regular Champions League official.He also took charge of the FA Cup Final in 2011 and the 2014 League Cup final. More

    • 250 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Pep Guardiola admits Man City were ‘HUNGOVER’ for FA Cup final loss against Man Utd following Premier League title bash

      by

      PEP GUARDIOLA has admitted that his Manchester City stars were “hungover” during their FA Cup final defeat last season.The City boss, 53, was speaking after his side were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Tottenham last night.Pep Guardiola spoke after his side’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham last nightCredit: GettyMan City won the Prem title on the final day of last seasonCredit: GettyJack Grealish and Co subsequently went out to celebrateCredit: SplashMan Utd beat Man City in the FA Cup final the following weekendCredit: APThe 2-1 defeat was City’s first loss of the season, which was pointed out to Guardiola after the game.Their last defeat had come at Wembley in last season’s FA Cup final, in which they were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United.Referencing that match last night, Guardiola said: “This is the news, not that we lose, but how long it has been since we lose.”Of course, with the FA Cup final we were a little bit hungover, but it is good news.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Wembley showpiece had come just a week after City had clinched the Premier League title on the final day of the season.City stars let their hair down after pipping Arsenal to the post, with the likes of Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland leading the celebrations.After lifting the Premier League trophy, City stars and their partners headed to plush Manchester bar and restaurant Fenix to continue their revelry.The following weekend at Wembley they looked sluggish, with goals by Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo giving Man Utd a 2-0 half-time lead.Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSGuardiola comforts Phil Foden after the FA Cup finalCredit: ReutersCity stars were left disappointed at WembleyCredit: ReutersJeremy Doku did pull one back for City late on, but Guardiola’s men were unable to conjure an equaliser.The cup final win largely contributed to Erik ten Hag clinging on to his job as Man Utd boss at the time.Jack Grealish is helped out of bar at 5am as Man City’s wild celebrations continue into the night after record titleHe had appeared all but certain to get the sack after his side finished a dismal eighth.But following the cup final victory the Dutchman was given a reprieve by United’s Ineos chiefs.After another summer at the helm, Ten Hag was unable to change United’s league fortunes.He was finally sacked on Monday following last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham, with United 14th in the table after nine games.Ruud van Nistelrooy has been placed in caretaker charge, with Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim primed to take over.City, meanwhile, are facing an injury crisis – having lost Manuel Akanji in last night’s warm-up and Savinho during the match.After the game, Guardiola confessed: “We have 13 players, we are in real difficulties.”The guys that play, they finish most of them with problems and we’ll see how they recover.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I think we are in trouble, because in nine years we’ve never been in the situation with so many injuries.”The players make a step forward, more together than ever, and we will try to do this week in this short time of recovery.” More