Non-league Tamworth took Tottenham to extra time in the FA Cup third round, before an unfortunate own goal and late strikes from Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson sent the Premier League side through.
Part-time Tamworth, who play in the fifth tier of English football, produced a remarkable performance to frustrate their opponents at The Lamb. They even had chances to win the tie late on, as Thomas McGlinchey saw a shot blocked by Yves Bissouma from inside the box.
It was Tottenham who had dominated the contest, though, and Ange Postecoglou was forced to send on star internationals Son Heung-min and Kuluseveki after his starting line-up was unable to find the opening goal in normal time.
And in the 100th minute, Tamworth switched off at a free-kick and were punished when a loose ball deflected into the net off Nathan Tshikuna. Moments later, Kulusevski fired low into the corner before Johnson added another to spare Tottenham’s blushes and deny Tamworth a historic upset.
Follow all the latest updates from The Lamb Ground below:
Tamworth vs Tottenham LIVE
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Tamworth take Tottenham to extra time but lose 3-0 in FA Cup
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Spurs score three goals late on to deny non-league side
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117’ GOAL! Brennan Johnson adds a late third for Spurs (0-3)
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106’ GOAL! Dejan Kulusevski fires low strike to settle match (0-2)
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100’ GOAL! Tottenham break the deadlock thanks to own goal (0-1)
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EXTRA TIME! Spurs send on stars Son and Kulusevski (0-0)
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65’ MISS! Jas Singh denies Timo Werner one-on-one (0-0)
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55’ OFF THE LINE! Werner header cleared by Hollis (0-0)
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38’ CHANCE! James Maddison should score but can’t finish (0-0)
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15’ POST’! Tom Tonks long throw causes panic in the box (0-0)
Tamworth FC 0 – 3 Tottenham Hotspur FC
FULL TIME! Tamworth 0-3 Tottenham – after extra time
15:13 , Jamie Braidwood
Tamworth goalkeeper Jas Singh, speaking to ITV:
“We lost. We maybe had half an eye on penalties but they are such a good team of footballers. Switching off for one moment, that just shows the difference. Ask any team that comes here, we give them a game. They brought the big boys on, which was a nice touch. They’ve got the shirts – it’s unbelievable.”
FULL TIME! Tamworth 0-3 Tottenham – after extra time
15:09 , Jamie Braidwood
Non-league Tamworth took Tottenham Hotspur to extra time in the FA Cup third round, before an unfortunate own goal and late strikes from Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson sent the Premier League side through.
Part-time Tamworth, who play in the fifth tier of English football, produced a remarkable performance to frustrate their opponents at The Lamb. They even had chances to win the tie late on, as Thomas McGlinchey saw a shot blocked by Yves Bissouma from inside the box.
It was Tottenham who had dominated the contest, though, and Ange Postecoglou was forced to send on star internationals Son Heung-min and Kuluseveki after his starting line-up was unable to find the opening goal in normal time.
And in the 100th minute, Tamworth switched off at a free-kick and were punished when a loose ball deflected into the net off Nathan Tshikuna. Moments later, Kulusevski fired low into the corner before Johnson added another to spare Tottenham’s blushes and deny Tamworth a historic upset.
GOAL! Tamworth 0-3 Tottenham (Johnson 117’)
15:07 , Jamie Braidwood
A third for Tottenham! Which is harsh on Tamworth – that has not been the gulf today.
But Tamworth have tired in extra time and Johnson jumps on a slip in the box to steer in a third goal.
Game over and Tottenham are heading through.
Tamworth 0-2 Tottenham
15:01 , Jamie Braidwood
112 mins: A late chance for Williams on his left foot but Kinsky – who looks a very solid young goalkeeper in what is just his second appearance for Spurs – saves down low.
Tamworth 0-2 Tottenham
15:01 , Jamie Braidwood
111 mins: Understandably, those late goals have just killed the mood at the Lamb. It’s tough on Tamworth, who have been brilliant today.
Sending on Son and Kulusevski for extra time just about sums up the difference, though.
GOAL! Tamworth 0-2 Tottenham (Kulusevski 106′)
14:56 , Jamie Braidwood
Quality goal! And that will be it. Son beats a couple of players on the left wing and tees up Kulusevski, who fires low into the corner. Class.
Tamworth 0-1 Tottenham
14:54 , Jamie Braidwood
105 mins: We’re back underway. Tamworth will want just one chance.
HALF TIME! Tamworth 0-1 Tottenham
14:51 , Jamie Braidwood
Half time of extra time! Just before the break, Johnson looked to add a second as he lined up the shot on his left foot but Cullinane-Liburd made a brilliant block.
15 minutes left for Tamworth to find a goal to take us to penalties.
Tamworth 0-1 Tottenham
14:49 , Jamie Braidwood
103 mins: Just after the goal, Williams went down in the box under the challenge of Spence. It was not ruled to be enough to be a penalty.
GOAL! Tamworth 0-1 Tottenham (Tshikuna own goal 100′)
14:46 , Jamie Braidwood
100 mins: Tottenham score and silence the Lamb! It’s a nightmare for the non-league side. Tottenham take the free-kick short and play in Maddison. Tamworth switch off and when the ball is squared across goal, it’s bundled over the line by the unfortunate Nathan Muya Tshikuna. An own goal.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:45 , Jamie Braidwood
99 mins: Son takes off and Tamworth’s Crompton tries to take him down in full flight. Eventually, Cullinane-Liburd muscles into Son and gives away a free-kick.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:44 , Jamie Braidwood
98 mins: Very cool from Crompton to head a long pass from Bergvall back towards Singh. Before, Tamworth should have been awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box. They are still giving this a good go.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:41 , Jamie Braidwood
95 mins: Let-off for Tamworth as Son’s corner goes all the way through the box without a touch. There is suddenly a long way for Tamworth to go now. A big challenge mentally as well as physically.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:38 , Jamie Braidwood
92 mins: SAVE! Son tees up Reguilon but Singh makes another big save down low at his near post. Tottenham are upping the pressure again at the start of extra time.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:35 , Jamie Braidwood
90 mins: Oh my goodness. Ange Postecoglou has sent on Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski. That was not the plan. Extra time is underway! Djed Spence is also on for Dragusin.
EXTRA TIME! Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:33 , Jamie Braidwood
Ah man. A year ago, Tamworth would have just earned themselves a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a third-round replay.
But replays have been binned off, so we head to extra time. Still, what a result for the Lambs, who are 30 minutes or so away from a huge shock.
If it’s still level at the end of extra time, we go to penalties.
EXTRA TIME! Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:30 , Jamie Braidwood
THAT’S IT! AMAZING! Non-league Tamworth have reached extra time against Premier League Tottenham!
We will have 30 more minutes!
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:29 , Jamie Braidwood
90+6 mins: AHHHHHHHH! Another chance! From the corner, it falls to Wreh in the box! But the striker can’t find the connection, and Kinsky saves down low!
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:29 , Jamie Braidwood
90+5 mins: AHHHH! Chance for Tamworth at the death! McGlinchey pounces in the box and slips onto his left foot! He shoots at goal but Bissouma makes the block at the near post! CORNER!
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:27 , Jamie Braidwood
90+4 mins: Tottenham with a late free-kick out wide. Can they fling this into the box and break some hearts?
No! Tamworth clear and Chris Wreh draws a foul on the halfway line.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:24 , Jamie Braidwood
90+2 mins: A few days ago Tottenham were beating Liverpool 1-0.
Now they are heading for a first 0-0 draw in almost two years… against non-league Tamworth.
Morrison takes a Spurs clearance in the privates and buys some time for Tamworth.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:22 , Jamie Braidwood
89 mins: Porro’s long ball towards Werner is cut out by Cullinane-Liburd, who has been outstanding.
How many minutes will we get at the end of the 90? The answer is SIX!
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:20 , Jamie Braidwood
86 mins: Williams has brought pace on the left wing but can’t keep his cross in play. Tamworth’s changes have killed the momentum Tottenham were building.
We’re about six, seven minutes from extra time. Remarkable.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:17 , Jamie Braidwood
85 mins: Tamworth are also taking off their long-throw weapon Tom Tonks. He’s been brilliant in midfield alongside his long throws. Creaney is also brought off with 10 minutes to go.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:16 , Jamie Braidwood
82 mins: Creaney has been a nightmare for Tottenham and is pulled to the ground by Dragusin on halfway. Tom Tonks demands a second yellow but is booked himself for his protests.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:11 , Jamie Braidwood
78 mins: Tottenham have upped the tempo with Bergvall adding some intensity on the ball. Tamworth are starting to hang on…
Time for Tamworth changes with the superb Enoru and Milnes coming off. Alex Fletcher and Kai Williams are on.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:09 , Jamie Braidwood
75 mins: Enoru has been class today and draws a booking from Pedro Porro as the Tottenham full-back barges into him.
Moments before, Bissouma’s clearance rebounded into Tonks’ knee and actually landed on target. Kinsky made the stop.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:04 , Jamie Braidwood
71 mins: CHANCE! Another opening for Spurs as Reguilon picks out Johnson at the back post. The Wales international can’t steer his effort on target. He scuffed it.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:03 , Jamie Braidwood
70 mins: Still a long way to go for non-league Tamworth, but they are getting closer and closer to reaching extra time against the Premier League side. Remember, replays are gone and this tie will be settled today.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:01 , Jamie Braidwood
68 mins: Tottenham need some help here. Ange Postegolou sends on Dominic Solanke and Lucas Bergvall . Werner and Moore make way.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
14:00 , Jamie Braidwood
66 mins: OOOOF. Close. Enoru wins the corner down the left and Cullinane-Liburd is an inch or two from bundling the ball in. It bobbles just wide.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:57 , Jamie Braidwood
64 mins: SAVE! What a stop from Singh! The best chance of the match so far falls to Werner as Johnson splits the defence with a through ball, but Singh holds his ground and saves down low.
A big miss from Werner. A moment later, Reguilon cuts back the cross and it falls to Werner for the volley, but Jordan Cullinane-Liburd makes the block!
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:56 , Jamie Braidwood
63 mins: A brighter couple of minutes for Moore, whose shot is headed away. Postecoglou must be thinking about chances soon, though.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:52 , Jamie Braidwood
60 mins: Creaney and Dragusin are caught wrestling in the penalty box. Bookings for both. Kinsky collects the corner as we tick into the hour.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:51 , Jamie Braidwood
58 mins: Tonks finds his biggest throw yet, making the box from about 50 yards.
The ball breaks and bobbles, Tamworth with a couple of shots on goal but Tottenham get the blocks in!
Could have fallen anywhere!
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:48 , Jamie Braidwood
55 mins: OFF THE LINE! Tottenham are getting closer! Werner is picked out at the back post and nods his header back across goal. Thankfully for Tamworth, the spare defender Hollis is there to clear off the line.
That was going in.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:47 , Jamie Braidwood
53 mins: SCENES as Tamworth centre-back Haydn Hollis perhaps a Zidane spin under pressure from Werner and Sarr to escape with the ball!
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:45 , Jamie Braidwood
51 mins: Singh, whose partner gave birth last night, is back up and playing on.
Singh revealed his baby son had not been given a name, but that he hoped he and his partner would be watching from their hospital bed.
Singh spoke of the importance of Sunday’s match for the National League side during an interview ITV. He said: “It’s a historic day for everyone involved and hopefully the players can do it justice.”
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:42 , Jamie Braidwood
48 mins: SAVE! It’s Maddison again! The bright spark makes the run into the box and hits it first time. Singh, once again, is equal to it and gets a big right hand on the shot.
Actually, the goalkeeper remains down after the save. Has the strength of the shot injured the goalkeeper?
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:41 , Jamie Braidwood
47 mins: If things continue to be sticky, Ange Postecoglou has Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski on his bench. But he probably thought that Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson would have been enough against the side 16th in the National League.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:38 , Jamie Braidwood
Back underway at The Lamb! Can Tamworth really do this? They are kicking down the slope in the second half, at least…
HALF TIME! Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:36 , Jamie Braidwood
The start of the first half was delayed by five minutes because of the net in the Tamworth goal – leading to the comical sight of players and staff getting to worth with stick tape just like in Sunday league.
HALF TIME! Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:27 , Jamie Braidwood
James Maddison has had the best chances for Tottenham and has been at the heart of all their good play. He should have scored from inside the box when cutting onto his right foot, while Tamworth goalkeeper Jasbir Singh made a good diving stop to his right to keep out a long-range curler.
HALF TIME! Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:23 , Jamie Braidwood
Tamworth make it to the break on level terms! It’s been good fun at the Lamb Ground and the non-league side have caused some trouble in the Tottenham defence.
Spurs won’t panic just yet, though. They’ve been the better side and have just lacked some composure in front of goal.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:21 , Jamie Braidwood
45 mins: There will be one minute added time. Tamworth are almost there to claiming a first-half draw!
Spurs win a corner on the right with a few seconds left…
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:19 , Jamie Braidwood
42 mins: Another chance for Tonks to go long, but Tamworth go short and the cross from Ben Crompton is dangerous. There’s no one at the back post, though.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:18 , Jamie Braidwood
40 mins: Tamworth are five minutes or so from getting into half-time at 0-0. Plenty of possession from Spurs, but all in front of the non-league side.
A chance! Dragusin’s back-pass plays Kinsky into trouble and the goalkeeper has to hack away with Creaney chasing. Kinsky comes out to claim the Tonks throw.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:15 , Jamie Braidwood
38 mins: CHANCE! More danger from Maddison, who steps inside the challenge and looks to whip a finish into the corner. Maddison doesn’t get enough on it, though, as Singh hangs on.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:11 , Jamie Braidwood
33 mins: Porro gives Enoru a shove on the byline but Tamworth win a throw. This time they take it short, which catches Tottenham by surprise. Enoru wins a corner this time as Porro blocks his cross!
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:08 , Jamie Braidwood
30 mins: SAVE! Touch of class again from Maddison as he pulls off a nut-meg on Milnes and looks to bend a shot inside the post. Singh gets across and makes the diving stop.
That’s the first effort on target that we’ve seen but the part-time Singh was equal to the England international.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:04 , Jamie Braidwood
27 mins: Tonks sends it long from about 40 yards out and reaches the box, but Tottenham clear. Onoru is back on for Tamworth.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
13:03 , Jamie Braidwood
24 mins: The Tamworth goalkeeper, Jasbir Singh, remains untroubled so far, but Spurs have controlled the possession so far at the Lamb Ground.
The home fans roar as the ball hits off Werner’s head and gives Tonks the chance to wind up his long throw.
But there’s a potential blow for the non-league side as the bright Beck-Ray Besongbap Enoru feels his hamstring. Hopefully he is able to continue.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:59 , Jamie Braidwood
21 mins: Well, Tamworth have reached the halfway point of the first half and are right in this game. Timo Werner brings a long ball down but overhits his pass to Johnson. He hasn’t taken his chance yet.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:55 , Jamie Braidwood
17 mins: OOFF! Tamworth break forward and the ball falls to Thomas McGlinchey on the edge. It’s a super hit from the winger, cutting across the ball, but Gray manages to get behind it and clears. That was travelling, though.
From the corner, Kinsky comes and makes the catch.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:53 , Jamie Braidwood
15 mins: Close! Maddison finds space on the edge of the box and whips a left-footed shot just over the bar. Maddison certainly looks a class above so far and Tamworth can’t get near him.
But the hosts have shown they have weapons, with Enoru starting well and Tonks a problem.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:50 , Jamie Braidwood
13mins; Here’s the next Tom Tonks torpedo… and it causes mayhem, hitting the post! Kinsky flaps at it at his back post, and it strikes the upright!
There’s a foul in there, somewhere, but that’s another warning for Tottenham.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:49 , Jamie Braidwood
11 mins: Tottenham captain James Maddison is left floored by opposite skipper Ben Mills – who crunches into the high ball. Just letting him know he’s there.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:46 , Jamie Braidwood
8 mins: Decent exchange between Moore and Maddison, leading to a chance for the Spurs skipper to strike at goal. It’s deflected wide, but Tottenham regain possession after the corner. It’s all Spurs at the moment.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:43 , Jamie Braidwood
5 mins: Tottenham settle the ball down with a bit of possession. The visitors are dealing with the pitch ok so far. On the wing, Johnson flashes the cross over the bar.
The Tamworth fans are making themselves heard and not all of it is suitable pre-watershed.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:40 , Jamie Braidwood
3 mins: Reguilon wins a corner at the other end but Singh claims it and releases Enoru on the break. The speedy winger wins a throw-in, which gives Tom Tonks the chance to launch his long throw into the box.
Spurs are able to clear. They pass the first test.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:38 , Jamie Braidwood
1min: SAVE! WHAT A START! Tamworth fly out of the traps and Beck-Ray Besongbap Enoru races into the box. He forces a save out of Antonín Kinsky, making just his second Spurs appearance.
Tottenham clear the corner.
KICK-OFF! Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:36 , Jamie Braidwood
The net is fixed! We’re ready to go!
Underway at the Lamb Ground.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:34 , Jamie Braidwood
Hang on… we’ve not started just yet. Kick-off has been delayed because of the net behind the Tamworth goal. It’s out of shape, drooping under the bar.
Proper FA Cup stuff, this. Ange Postecgolou is laughing at it all – with the Tamworth fans hardly giving the Spurs boss a warm welcome behind the dugout.
Tamworth keeper Jas Singh is having to help fix the net to the crossbar with sticky tape. It’s all very Sunday league.
Tamworth 0-0 Tottenham
12:31 , Jamie Braidwood
Tamworth boss Andy Peaks leads his team through the pre-match hand-shakes. He is loving this, as he should.
James Maddison leas the Spurs huddle. “From the start,” he says. And we’re off!
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, subscribers will also be able to stream the match online on ITVX.
Tamworth vs Tottenham
12:27 , Jamie Braidwood
Potential one of the highlights of Son Heung Min’s career as he takes in his surroundings at Tamworth.
The players are in the tight tunnel at the Lamb Ground – this should be a cracker and hopefully the minnows give it a good shot.
Kick-off is next!
Tamworth vs Tottenham
12:22 , Jamie Braidwood
Tottenham have trained on an artificial pitch ahead of their trip to the Lamb Ground – which has a 3G surface. Manager Ange Postecoglou said the synthetic pitch would play a part in his team selection.
“We have to be really careful about which players we expose to that. I have a fair bit of experience of that, in terms of playing on artificial pitches,” he said. “I think guys coming back from injury, it’s probably unwise to expose them to that.”
Tamworth vs Tottenham
12:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Back down to earth? On Wednesday, Tottenham were beating Premier League leaders Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. Now, they play a team 95 places below them in the football pyramid.
“It’s what the FA Cup is all about,” Ange Postecgolou tells ITV. “I’m sure the people of Tamworth are looking forward too it and we are as well.
“There’s a connection with grassroots somewhere, a neighbourhood where they grew up and small community clubs nourished their love for the game.
“I’m sure all the boys are looking forward to it. I think the boys are genuinely excited for the game.”
FA Cup third round: Why were replays scrapped from the competition?
12:10 , Jamie Braidwood
The FA Cup third round remains one of the most memorable weekends of the football season, but the competition will look a little different this year after a seismic change.
As always, the draw has thrown together some intriguing ties, from a showdown between two of the competition’s most successful sides in Arsenal and Manchester United, to a meeting of Tottenham Hotspur and National League side Tamworth FC.
But while these fairytale ties against top-flight sides can still be the high point of a season for some clubs in the lower tiers, the decision to scrap replays from this season onwards has not been a popular one.
The FA took the decision to scrap FA Cup replays in April 2024, with the country’s governing body working with the Premier League to come to an agreement in light of the expansion of the format to Uefa’s main competitions.
With the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League all being expanded, there were concerns about fixture congestion for sides in the top flight. Replays had already been scrapped from the fifth round onwards in previous seasons.
Who is Tom Tonks? Tamworth’s long throw weapon set to trouble Tottenham
12:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Against Huddersfield, Tom Tonks sparked panic in the defence when the non-league team piled bodies onto visiting goalkeeper Chris Maxwell and he aimed his throw under the crossbar. Tonks’ throw found the back of the net as Maxwell flapped at his punch.
“It’s difficult to defend because the trajectory of the ball is something you’re not used to,” Tonks told Football Focus.
“We’re lucky at Tamworth because we have four or five six-foot-plus blokes who want to head the ball.
“What kind of preparation can you do for a Premier League team? We know they are all going to be excellent players.
“We actually fancy our chances against anyone at home. It’s different to what they are used to, the portacabins, the artificial pitch. Funnier things have happened in football.”
Tamworth vs Tottenham
11:50 , Jamie Braidwood
A brilliant video from fifth-tier Tamworth showing what Tottenham’s squad of Premier League stars and internationals can expect at the Lamb Ground.
It’s not quite the plush facilities of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tamworth vs Tottenham team news and line-ups
11:36 , Jamie Braidwood
A stronger Tottenham team than many expected? Ange Postecoglou does not have much choice in some departments, especially defence, so Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray go again at centre-back.
It’s a first-choice midfield, though, with James Maddison starting as captain. Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski get a rest, but Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner start alongside teenager Mikey Moore.
Tamworth vs Tottenham team news and line-ups
11:33 , Jamie Braidwood
Tamworth XI: Singh, Crompton, Cullinane-Liburd, Hollis, Cockerill-Mollett, Tonks, Milnes, McLinchey, Morrison, Enoru, Creaney
Tottenham XI: Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Reguilon; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Werner, Moore
Tamworth vs Tottenham
11:31 , Jamie Braidwood
The magic of the FA Cup on full display as kick-off at the Lamb Ground draws near.
Team news is coming up.
When is the FA Cup fourth-round draw? Start time, ball numbers and how to watch on TV
11:20 , Jamie Braidwood
Th e FA Cup third round is underway as Premier League and Championship sides enter the competition for the first time, with 32 ties being played over the weekend.
Cardiff, Fulham and Everton were the first teams to book their spot on Thursday night, before Aston Villa beat West Ham to deliver defeat to Graham Potter in his first game in charge of the Hammers and League One Wycombe also upset Championship Portsmouth on Friday night.
Liverpool comfortably beat Accrington Stanley and Chelsea did likewise against Morecambe but Brentford were upset by the Championship’s bottom club, managerless Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon, while before the pick of the third rounders takes place on Sunday as Manchester United face Arsenal at the Emirates.
When is the FA Cup fourth-round draw? Start time, ball numbers and how to watch on TV
Tamworth’s road to FA Cup third round
11:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Fourth qualifying round: 4-2 vs Macclesfield (7)
First round proper: 1-0 vs Huddersfield (3)
Second round: 1-1 vs Burton Albion (3) – 4-3 win on pens
Third round: vs Tottenham Hotspur (1)
Tamworth bar makes free beer for life offer to encourage FA Cup heroics
10:40 , Jamie Braidwood
A sports bar is offering free beer for life to any Tamworth FC player who scores the winning goal in the National League side’s FA Cup clash with Spurs.
The Staffordshire side take on the Premier League visitors at The Lamb on Sunday afternoon, with the general manager of the town’s Pitchers Bar describing the unusual incentive as “a little fun” ahead of the all-ticket fixture.
Bar general manager Jason Pegg said: “We’re huge supporters of Tamworth FC, and this weekend’s FA Cup match against Spurs is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the club and the community.
“What better way to show our backing than with a little fun? A winning goal means more than just a place in the record books — it’s the stuff of legends. We want to be part of that excitement, and what better way than offering free beer for life to the player who delivers the magic moment?”
Tamworth bar makes free beer for life offer to encourage FA Cup heroics
Who is Tom Tonks? Tamworth’s long throw weapon set to trouble Tottenham
10:25 , Jamie Braidwood
Non-league Tamworth’s clash with Premier League giants Tottenham has all the makings of a “proper” FA Cup third round tie, and the minnows have a “torpedo” of a weapon that may cause one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history.
Tamworth are 16th in the National League, the fifth tier of English football, and will host a Spurs side packed with international stars such as Son Heung-min on their sloping astroturf pitch at The Lamb, in a true David vs Goliath encounter.
Tamworth’s journey to the third round included a 1-0 victory over League One outfit Huddersfield, with their winning goal coming from a not-so-secret weapon that opposition players say is “more dangerous than a corner”.
Tom Tonks, a tough-tackling midfielder who runs his own sandwich business, may claim to have English football’s longest throw since Stoke City’s Rory Delap’s trebuchet of a delivery sparked chaos in Premier League defences.
Who is Tom Tonks? Tamworth’s long throw weapon set to trouble Tottenham
Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke could get a rest at Tamworth
10:16 , Jamie Braidwood
Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou will not underestimate FA Cup minnows Tamworth, but has hinted key duo Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke may get an overdue rest on Sunday.
Spurs travel to National League club Tamworth buoyed by a midweek Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool, but are still without at least eight players for this third-round tie.
Tottenham have struggled over the past six weeks with a packed schedule coupled with injury problems, which has resulted in Kulusevski and Solanke starting each of the last seven games.
“We have got to be mindful of we don’t want it to turn into a tricky game for us, we want to make sure we play our best,” Postecoglou said.
“But hopefully we can rest at least a couple of players from a full 90 minutes of football.”
Tamworth’s 3G pitch a step-up on ‘toad-covered field in Fiji’
10:11 , Jamie Braidwood
Ange Postecoglou has promised Tottenham will give Tamworth the utmost respect and insisted the non-league club’s artificial pitch is an improvement on the toad-infested surface he once encountered in Fiji.
Spurs will aim to navigate a huge banana skin on Sunday when they face National League opposition Tamworth in the FA Cup with 96 places between the clubs ahead of the plum third-round tie at The Lambs Ground.
When quizzed on Tamworth’s artificial surface, Postecoglou recounted a tale from his time as South Melbourne boss when they won 5-1 against Nadi in the final of the 1999 OFC Club Championship, which sent them through to FIFA’s Club World Championship where they faced Manchester United.
“Warming up there were toads we had to remove, which kept jumping on the pitch,” Postecoglou said.
“At the time, you’re kind of going ‘really?’, but when you realise what was at stake, a fair bit of money and the opportunity to play at the Maracana against some of the best teams in the world, we ended up playing Man United, Vasco de Gama and Necaxa of Mexico, it was quite extraordinary.”
Tamworth’s 3G pitch a step-up on toad-covered field in Fiji – Ange Postecoglou
When is Tamworth vs Tottenham?
10:06 , Jamie Braidwood
Tamworth vs Tottenham will kick off at 12.30pm GMT on Sunday 12 January at The Lamb Ground in Tamworth, England.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage starting at 11.45am. Subscribers will also be able to stream the match online on ITVX.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Good morning
10:05 , Jamie Braidwood
Non-league side Tamworth host Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of the FA Cup this afternoon, with the minnows looking to secure a huge cupset against Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Tamworth are in 16th place in the National League ahead of today’s game, and they are still on the edge of the relegation scrap in England’s fifth tier, sitting just seven points above the drop zone.
Meanwhile, Postecoglou has turned around Spurs’ fortunes in recent weeks, having beaten Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final in midweek.
And this tie will provide the Australian with a much-needed chance to rest some key players amidst an injury crisis in defence, with Spurs likely to field a youthful starting eleven as they make the trip to Staffordshire.
First appeared on sports.yahoo.com