Broken nets, ‘Maradona’ skill and a new dad – Tamworth’s tales on historic day

A goalkeeper who had just become a father hours earlier, a defender who was unable to explain a “Maradona” skill, and a net malfunction.

With the exception of a goal, Tamworth’s FA Cup tie against Tottenham had almost everything you could hope for.

The Lambs, one of the few semi-professional teams left in the fifth-tier National League after back-to-back promotions, would even have had a rematch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium had replays not been scrapped this season.

After scoring only once in 90 minutes, Premier League Spurs was forced to tie the game 3-0 after adding another goal, but the occasion was capped off by tales appropriate for the era.

The Staffordshire club, which is located close to Birmingham, had been anticipating this one because they had welcomed the eight-time FA Cup winners to the Lamb Ground and their artificial pitch.

National TV cameras were present to capture the legend-making magic of the competition, and they quickly received their wish when Beck-Ray Enoru had to tape a hole in the net to allow the game to begin, delaying the kick-off.

Tamworth had excellent chances to win the game, matching Tottenham for the majority of the rest of the game.

However, there were also other instances that caught our attention. That included Haydn Hollis, 32, who is currently playing for the Spurs, who had the opportunity to lose two players in the unfortunate circumstance that occurred.

Later, Tamworth shared a photo of Diego Maradona practicing the same skill for Argentina on social media.

“Their manager]Ange Postecoglou] just said to me, ‘ that’s good enough to get you in the door here'”, said Hollis afterwards.

“I said, ‘ believe it or not, I’ve never done it before’. That’s not my game, you’ll never see that again”.

Tommy Tonks, who drives a food van for work five days a week, caused Spurs repeated problems with his long throw-ins. Even the far post was struck by one.

At one point, the 33-year-old’s work was popular with followers and his name was everywhere.

“All the lads can be proud of themselves”, Tonks told BBC Radio 5 Live in an interview alongside his family. “I was a little cramping up,” I said. We would run through brick walls]for each other].

” I’ve not been in the house much this week.

“I’m at the tail end of my career; I hope to have more like this.” Both the club and I are extremely special about the FA Cup.

Anything else missing? Oh no, Jas Singh’s partner had a son the day before the game.

The 34-year-old building surveyor, who has played for several non-league clubs in the West Midlands, put in a star performance and denied James Maddison and Werner.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live, “I just became a father yesterday, and it just gets sweeter for me.”

“This is a quiet day at the office. First time, a little boy. My partner is still in hospital, bless her for letting me play today”.

He continued on the occasion, “We actually had a go,” and it is incredible to give a team like that extra time.

We should be proud when a ball strikes the other way in the future. We were all laughing out loud in our huddle and yelling “here we go! ” as they added extra time. ‘.

“I am frustrated, but when the dust settles I will be proud.

” You don’t get better than this. The majority of my career has been part-time – to have a day like this is incredible. “

Andy Peaks, the manager of Tamworth, has worked in the game for exactly three days.

He can leave his position as a support worker at Tresham College in Kettering on Thursday thanks to his new, full-time contract.

After leading the club from the Southern Football League, the 54-year-old said he was struggling to combine both roles after taking over Tamworth in 2022.

After the Spurs game, he added:” They all go back to work tomorrow, but they can go with their heads held high.

“Everyone put a shift in, everyone stuck to the remit. It was unbelievable from our boys, I’m just so proud of them”.

On his players starting to struggle in extra time, Peaks said: “Why wouldn’t we be getting tired by then? We’re a part-time club against, I think, probably 11 internationals at that stage”.

Nottingham Trent University lecturer and Tamworth player Tom McGlinchey, a summer signing from Coalville Town, added: “Immensely proud of the lads. Amazing day and a shame we couldn’t get over the line.