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    A sparkie, night shiftworker and sweet shop owner shooting it out for FA Cup golden ticket at Wembley

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    A SWEET shop owner, electrician and a telecoms engineer are all shooting it out to be at the FA Cup Final – one way or another.The trio would all love to fire their respective non-league sides to a miraculous Wembley triumph.Jonathan Lacey was last season’s top goalscorer in the FA CupCredit: X @EmiratesFACupAshford United’s Gary Lockyer is leading the way in this season’s competitionCredit: X @AshfordUnitedFCHe has eight goals so far and is gunning for more this weekendCredit: X @EmiratesFACupHowever, it’s fair to say that they all stand a much better chance of being a VIP under the arch instead of actually playing on Saturday 17 May. And that is because all three are currently battling to be crowned this season’s FA Cup top scorer and land themselves the Mitre Golden Ball award.The Football Association created it three years ago, and the winner gets the honour of not only collecting the trophy from an FA Cup legend but also walking the cup final match ball out onto the Wembley pitch before the final.The competition has already provided Tilbury hotshot Sam Bantick, who has five goals so far, with his greatest football memory.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe 32-year-old, who owns Sam’s Sweets and Shakes near Brentwood station, tasted the magic of the cup firsthand back in 2017.That was when he helped fire Heybridge Swifts into the first round proper and scored in their 3-1 defeat against their Football League opponents at St James Park.He moved to Isthmian League North Division outfit Tilbury this summer and capped his home debut with a hat-trick against Buckhurst Hill.But his exploits were caught on camera, and he soon went viral when his third, an audacious effort from inside his own half, was shared online.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I’ve tried it a few times but it hasn’t always come off. If I could do it all the time then I wouldn’t be playing the level that I’m playing at,” he told Sun Sport.“I hit that perfectly and as soon as I did I knew it was going in. I’ll always remember it.” I broke FA Cup record against Man Utd in final.. 20 years later I’m playing for non-league side in qualifying roundBantick has never been to an FA Cup Final, but after discovering the prize that awaits the top goalscorer, he says it would top the “best day of my life” at Exeter if he went to Wembley to collect the trophy.He said: “I’ll have to try a bit harder on Saturday now.“We don’t often get exposure or the chance to play big sides, of course you want to help your team out, but to get the chance to get honoured on a personal level like that is unreal.”And ahead of welcoming National League South outfit Chelmsford City to Chadfields, he added: “It’s going to be really tough, but it’s XI vs XI.“We know we’re massive underdogs but they’ll have to come to our ground, the changing-rooms will absolutely stink and we’ll try and make it as hard as we can for them.”Sparkie Sonnie Coleman, 27, is another looking to continue his hot-streak of six goals in three matches.And the Northern League Crook Town striker, who scored to help Hardwick Social retain the FA Sunday Cup in 2018 at Bramall Lane, has even played at Wembley before.He was part of the Stockton Town side that suffered FA Vase Final heartbreak at the hands of Thatcham Town six years ago.Tilbury hero Sam Bantick went viral earlier in the competitionCredit: Focus PhotosHe runs a family sweet shop near Brentwood stationCredit: Focus PhotosHe said: “Winning the Sunday Cup two years running was great but the Vase was the biggest game I’ve played in. That was the first and only time that I’ve ever been to Wembley. “So it would be amazing to get there and I have been keeping my eye on it.“I’ve seen the leader has eight, but I feel a bit ripped off as we haven’t had one replay and just gone straight through. He’s had a couple of replays but he’s obviously doing very well.”Coleman is gunning for Witton Albion, who are a step above them in the pyramid, on home turf on Saturday and added: “It’s already the furthest the club have been in the cup this century.“We’ve beaten Ashington already, who were from a step above, so let’s see if we can go even further.”The man they are all chasing is Ashford United’s Gary Lockyer.He already has EIGHT – including a four-goal haul in the last round – but was only told about JJ Lacey’s haul of ten being enough to secure the Golden Ball last season a fortnight ago.Sonnie Coleman of Crook Town already has some fabulous Wembley memoriesCredit: Si CrumbsLockyer, who works night shifts as a telecoms engineer for Network Planning Solutions, said: “After the four goals took me to eight, my manager said ‘you should be really up there’ but I hadn’t really thought or known about it.“I then looked it up and saw that the gentleman won it with ten goals last time and instantly thought ‘I’m quite close here’ and it would really be something to remember.“So I’m definitely hoping for a few more.”Man Utd fan Lockyer, 31, has experienced the first round proper when he was 17 at Hyde Town but didn’t play and he has also attended finals under the arch as a spectator.But the father-of-four is determined to stave off his competition and beat the likes of Erling Haaland and Mo Salah in the scoring stakes to land himself and his wife a VIP day out under the arch.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd after being informed that his rivals were desperate for him to draw and blank and for Ashford united to be eliminated, Lockyer added: “I’m exactly the same!“I’m one for healthy competition and I’m eager to get it now that I know I’m in the lead. Hopefully I can get a few more this weekend.” More

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      Footballer, 18, tragically dies after being shot twice in the head after brawl breaks out at softball match

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      A TEENAGE footballer was fatally shot in the head when a brawl erupted halfway through a game of softball.Giancarlos Giameli García del Cid had gone to the neighbourhood match as a spectator.An 18-year-old footballer has died after being shot in the head twiceCredit: Jam PressGiancarlos Giameli García del was attending a softball game when a the incident happenedCredit: Jam PressThe commotion erupted halfway through the game in María Chiquita, Panama.It took a violent turn when, according to witnesses, one of those arguing pulled a gun and started shooting.Giancarlos, 18, was shot twice in the head and died from his injuries.Five other men, aged between 22 and 39, were wounded by the gunfire.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey were rushed to a hospital in Sabanitas for medical treatment.Giancarlos’ family says there weren’t enough ambulances to take the footballer.When police officers arrived on the scene, they found several people injured and others in shock.After securing the area, they arrested two suspects, as reported on NeedToKnow.Most read in FootballProsecutors have since charged them with homicide with aggravating factors and attempted homicide.A 21-year-old man has been remanded into custody.Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersGiancarlos played as a centre-back for top-flight team Árabe Unido in Colón.He had made his debut for the first team a few months earlier.He was also part of the Panama U-17 team that played in the 2023 U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.His club, the Panamanian Football Federation, and the Panamanian Football League have all shared condolence messages on social media.Árabe Unido wrote: “At 18 years old, he stood out not only for his skills on the field but also for his values and respect towards his teammates and coaches.“We bid farewell to his physical presence, but his spirit and bravery will always remain with us.” More

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      Besar Nimani dead at 38: Former boxing champion killed in street shooting as police launch investigation

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      FORMER boxing champion Besar Nimani has died aged 38 after reportedly being shot while leaving a restaurant.Police have launched an investigation after he was killed in an open street in Bielefeld, Germany, on Saturday night.Former boxing champion Besar Nimani was shot dead in a street in GermanyCredit: GettyNimani won 26 of his 27 matches and once held the IBF European Super Welterweight titleCredit: GettyNimani was an Albanian fighter from Kosovo who moved to Germany in 1997.He won 26 of his 27 professional bouts in the ring from 2011 to 2019.And Nimani also once held the IBF European Super Welterweight title, as well as two German belts.He was reportedly leaving a restaurant on Saturday when he was killed, with Bild claiming up to 10 gun shots were heard.READ MORE IN BOXINGPolice are yet to make any arrests but a major investigation and manhunt is currently underway.A statement from Bielefeld police read: “According to the current findings, the man from Bielefeld was in the area near ‘Obernstrasse’ near ‘Klasingstrasse’ around 18:00. “One or more perpetrators approached and shot the victim. The man from Bielefeld, who was a Kosovar citizen, died at the scene due to the great wounds he received. “A major police operation is currently underway in the Bielefeld city area. The search for the author or authors follows. Most read in Boxing”The investigations by the commission for the investigation of the ‘Ober’ murders are led by chief detective Alexander Scholz.”Nimani’s brother Berati announced the boxer’s death on social media.A post read: “My brother Besar Nimani was killed today in an ambush in Bielefeld, Germany. “May God join us in heaven with him. I will forever be proud of you, I love you.”Euronews claims Nimani was previously injured in a shooting in 2013. More

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      Will the Belgium vs Sweden Euro 2024 qualifier be replayed?

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      ON October 16, 2023, players made the decision to abandon the Belgium vs Sweden Euro 2024 qualifier following an horrific attack.Here we take a look at if the match will be replayed or cancelled and what the FA has said in response to the situation in Brussels.
      Fans of Sweden pictured at half time as the the EURO 2024 qualifier match between Belgium and Sweden was abandonedCredit: Getty
      Will the Belgium vs Sweden Euro 2024 qualifier match be replayed or cancelled?
      It is not yet known if the Belgium vs Sweden Euro 2024 qualifier match will be replayed or cancelled.
      UEFA have confirmed that further communication will be made in due course.
      After the game was abandoned, Sweden captain Victor Lindelof said: “Belgium are already qualified and we don’t have the opportunity to get to the European Championship, so I see no reason to [replay the game].”
      What happened to stop the Belgium vs Sweden match?
      The Euro 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden was abandoned at half-time on October 16, 2023.
      Read More on Brussels shooting
      The decision to abandon the match was made after two men, both wearing Sweden shirts, were shot dead in the street, moments before their teams qualifier game.
      A third victim was also rushed to hospital.
      Sweden players made the decision during the break to not resume the game, with the score 1-1 at half-time.
      This was also agreed to by their Belgian counterparts.
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      A statement from Belgium said: “Due to the incidents in Brussels earlier tonight, play is suspended. Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
      Sweden boss Janne Andersson added: “When I came down for the break, I got this information. Immediately, I felt that it was completely unreal. What kind of world do we live in today?
      “I came into the locker room and when the team started talking we agreed 100 percent that we didn’t want to play on out of respect for the victims and their families.”
      On October 17, 2023, it was reported that police shot dead a suspected extremist accused of killing the two men near the football stadium in Brussels.
      Feared ISIS fanatic Abdesalem L, 45, went on the run for hours following Monday night’s horror rampage before police tracked him down in a café and gunned him down.
      Will the Brussels terror attacks impact more Euro 2024 qualifiers?
      At the time of writing, is yet to be confirmed if anymore Euro 2024 qualifier games will be impacted and/or suspended.
      Since the horrific attack, security services and ministers have gathered at a Crisis Center amid fears of a terror motive.
      The terror threat level for the Brussels Capital Region has been moved to level four – with officials telling locals to “avoid unnecessary movements”.
      The threat level indicates the likelihood of a terrorist attack.
      Regions are placed under level four “when the threat is serious and very imminent”.
      What has the FA said about the situation in Brussels?
      Following the decision to abandon the game, the Swedish FA took to social media to share their condolences amid the horror that unfolded in Brussels.
      A post by the Swedish FA read: “Our thoughts go out to all the relatives of those affected in Brussels.”
      Read More on The Sun
      UEFA also provided a statement following the incident which said: “Following a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels this evening, it has been decided, after consultation with the two teams and the local police authorities, that the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is abandoned.
      “Further communication will be made in due course.” More